We’ve had the great pleasure the last few days of hosting our godson, ours being his first stop during school holidays. As is so often the case, one only visits sites of local interest when escorting visitors, and I’ve absented myself from the shop to do just that. What I’ve noticed, and something that’s changed from this time last year, are the numbers of international tourists. That the exchange rate is sort of in their favor might have something to do with it, but the fact of their presence in such great numbers makes me believe that an economic recovery is well underway. True, airlines and tour packagers are offering some good travel deals, but no matter how inexpensive, unless one is possessed of a positive outlook long-range travel is not what one does.
From the general to the (English antiques dealer) specific- our gallery activity has been brisk. Sales activity? Not so much, but it has to start somewhere and the gallery visit precedes anything more remunerative.
I’ve termed this entry ‘dog days’ mainly because of the time of year, but, frankly, with the coolish temperatures over the last few days in San Francisco, it hardly feels like it. I suppose, with all the tourists in San Francisco and the concomitant increase in gallery traffic, we remain doggedly optimistic.