Memories Of Biba’s Opening Day

When Biba’s flagship London store opened in Mayfair’s Conduit Street in November 1978, Therese Jones was working as a lecturer in nearby Hammersmith. She caught the bus over on her lunch break to see what all the fuss was about...


When Biba’s flagship London store opened in Mayfair’s Conduit Street in November 1978, Therese Jones was working as a lecturer in nearby Hammersmith. She caught the bus over on her lunch break to see what all the fuss was about and left with three tins of coffee, a long strip of matches, two magazines and a Biba paper bag. 

Recalling the experience, she described the store as “totally innovative and stylish – exactly what one would have expected of Biba on a very grand scale”. 

Biba Coffee Cans

Each of the Biba purchases were tucked away at Jones’ London home and virtually forgotten about for many years until a friend mentioned Sworders’ were soon to host an auction of London themed items. “Biba and London go together like double and decker” said Sworders specialist in charge of sale Mark Wilkinson. "We are delighted to have the Biba items in our inaugural London Auction on December 11 and look forward to finding them a new home.” Estimate £50-100. 

 

On view at Sworders London gallery, 15 Cecil Court, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4EZ

Monday November 25 – Friday December 6 

 

For more information about the sale contact Mark Wilkinson

markwilkinson@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

 

 

 


 

Recent News

 

John Ruskin | A Remarkable Archive Comes to Auction at Sworders

A major highlight of our forthcoming Dreams – A Unique Private Collection sale on 9 July is a remarkable archive of letters and manuscripts by John Ruskin (1819–1900), the celebrated Victorian polymath. This unparalleled group – numbering in the hundreds – is believed to be the largest collection of Ruskin correspondence in private hands and spans a vast range of topics from art and architecture to politics, religion, and personal reflection.

2 July 2025

Valuation Day Discovery

'The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz' - also known as 'The Bagh-i-Muattar' - quickly caught the attention of our book specialists, when a copy bound in full vellum was brought in by a local client to our weekly valuation day.

2 July 2025

The Glass Sale | A Medium of Light, Form and Infinite Expression

We are thrilled to launch The Glass Sale - a brand-new addition to our auction calendar! The inaugural sale will take place on Tuesday 28 October and will become a biannual fixture in our calendar going forward.

20 June 2025

 


 

Get Sworders News