Derek Billings has died at the age of 86. For half a century he was an important player in the collecting world of Doulton art pottery. His late wife Kay was a very supportive partner in forming the collection.
Enthusiasts were always welcome. You might have thought you had come to the wrong address but behind a very rural facade was an Aladdin’s cave.
Always generous in lending to exhibitions and books, the Christie’s Hannah Barlow show in 1985 was his inspiration.