When I am in London, Friday night is a special time because I am eager to get to Portobello Road to pick and search through the stalls and to visit my friends.  I like to be in the Market by 9:00 am before the boatloads of Italian souvenir seekers hit the street.  I have been going to PORTOBELLO ROAD since I was a young boy where I learned that there are treasures to be found and great fun to be had.  I chat with all the dealers–new and old–and learn a great deal about silver, jewelry, furs, leather, pewter, glass, porcelain, etc..  My family and friends who come along tease me because when I spot something I really like, my expression changes as if I am going in for the kill.  With 9 grandsons and 4 granddaughters, I am always on the lookout for a gift and a memory.  I love dealers with all their display cabinets filled with Victorian and Edwardian jewelry.  Believe me, this is really good fun.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

love SILVER, and I particularly prefer old silver.  I pick through the silver on offer every time I am in the Portobello Road Antique Market.  A table set with beautiful silver is the beginning of a real celebration.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

My readers know that I am in the Portobello Market  every Saturday morning I am in London.  Why?  Because I love to chat with my dealer friends, and I do find quality antiques which I like to add to my collection.  And, I love to watch people trying on and buying furs, hats, and army junk.  The Market is truly the most fun you can imagine.  This morning, one of our visitors to our flats in London wanted me to help her organize his itinerary for their ten days in London.  He told me RIGHT OF THE BAT that he was not going to Portobello Road because there are too many reproductions and souvenirs, and it is a waste of time.  As polite as I could be, I took umbrage to his remark.  I agreed there were “souvenir” dealers and reproductions on several of the stalls, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great discoveries to be found.  I did my best to convince the nice man, but I was boiling inside–restraining my tongue.  I admit that there are reproductions.  I admit there are tons of souvenirs.  I ADMIT, I ADMIT, I ADMIT.  But, there are still several excellent dealers.  Let me post a few photographs, and you decide if there are quality items in the Portobello Market.  Besides, what about all the fun!!  Take a look.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

This evening was special.  I have been suffering from a heavy cough, but I couldn’t miss a dinner engagement at a Lebanese restaurant near Marble Arch.  The Kashdens are dearest friends;  we are like family.  We meet up every Saturday in Portobello Road and often socially for an occasional night out.  If you are wandering down the stalls in Portobello Road, stop at the Kashden’s stall and say HELLO.  You will love these amazing people who have been in the Portobello Market longer than I can remember.  They are the heart and soul of the old dealers who love the excitement of the antique and vintage clothing trade.  I love them to death!  Want a real laugh!  Here we are:

Really wonderful friends.  Meeting them in Portobello Road Market will add so much to your visit.  Tell them TOM said “HELLO.”

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

Saturday means PORTOBELLO ROAD.  Over the past many years, I have wandered down this incredible market street and have located many objects which I have collected.  For the past few years, I have been worried about the many souvenir shops and reproductions on the street, but yesterday was really an amazing day.  I saw antiques on the street of a finer quality than I have seen for a long time.  Chinese antiques, Victorian glass and porcelain, continental porcelains, fine leather, and unusual 18th century brass.  There are interesting jewelry stalls offering turquoise and coral and lapis pieces from Nepal and Afghanistan–not antiques, but good quality items.  I miss the days when 18th century pewter and 17th century documents were available in the Market, but I am still hopeful that there will be renewed interest in these fine items;  they are getting harder to find for the dealers, but a few of us love to have them.  But, a day on PORTOBELLO ROAD IS ONE OF ACTIVITIES THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN EVERY ITINERARY TO LONDON;  a visitor will have such a wonderful time.  I think the quality of items in the market is improving;  perhaps people are in economic situations where fine antiques are surfacing again.  How about buying a fabulous vintage leather purse?  Visit with Sarah Kashden about that!

Hilary Kashden is the “Spirit of Portobello”   Go visit her;  you will love her.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

When you go to Portobello Road, stop by the fur/purse/pewter stall of the Kashdens.  They are the most amazing people and know the history of Protobello Road like no one else.  Michael Kashen and his immensely hilarious wife HILARY–who is wise like a fox–have had a stall in the Market for over 40 years.  Tell them TOM says HELLO.  You will get the biggest smile you can imagine.  Their family history is amazing and wondeerful, but they are simply ENCHANTING for me.  They are like family. AND MICHAEL IS MY AGE, SO WE ARE “SYMPATICOS OF ACHES AND PAINS”!  When I see them, I find myself whistling, and I get warm all over.  Portobello Road–ah goodness me!  I have been PEEPING TOM in that market for 35 years;  believe me, I show the evidence of it.    That’s what my family says. Hm!  (THANK YOU, Sarah,  for sending me these emails)

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

Finding “that special gift” for a family member is difficult.  I will have been away for nearly a month, and Thomas Jr. has been running the office in the States without my help.  So, I thought I would find something on Portobello Road which was “perfect” for this wonderful young man whom you all deal with when selecting one of our LONDON CONNECTION flats for your holiday or business trip to London.  I walked PORTOBELLO ROAD today — very warm day for London in late September–and ran into a gentleman who had the most incredible Victorian and Edwardian tools.  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  THAT WAS THE PERFECT GIFT.  Thomas Jr. was a tinker from the time he was a very little boy.  He loved doing things with his hands.  Before walking, he put hairpins in the electrical outlets he found in the room, got a shock, and moved on to the next outlet.  Over the past years, he has been restoring Victorian and Edwardian historic houses in our historic district at home.  He has done an amazing job.  Isn’t it interesting how a child’s personality is revealed so young in life?  Well, Thomas is getting some pretty nifty early wood and brass tools.  Take a look!

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com