Dear old Dad couldn’t say his L’s very well so he dropped William very early on in his life. Charlie started this business with his beautiful little wife Muriel Jones in 1952 out of the Mining Exchange Lydiard Street North Ballarat.Charlie was in partnership with two very good mates in a bus depot and after returning home from active service in Dutch New Guinea he sold his third share to one of his partners. Charlie would often tell us that it took only half an hour to complete the deal. Charlie would often tell us.
Charlie’s interest in the second hand trade was stimulated when he helped the Neil Street Methodist Church run a White Elephant Sale which raised175 pounds. Charlie had never dreamt of the trade before that but he loved the auction that night.
After leaving the Mining Exchange where he had hired two little car parks he moved to 24 Lydiard Street North Ballarat, but for only a short time.
C V Jones began operating from our current premises at 14 Armstrong Street North on October 13th 1956 after paying key money to another second hand dealer who wanted to retire.
From being a second hand dealer who sold everything from old carpets, fridges, lino, laminex tables and chairs and you name it, Charlie became a respected antique dealer.
Charlie always appriciated quality and was prepared to pay top money to get the best. Charlie also loved art and was one of the first dealers to hang top quality art work in his shop.
In 1966 Charlie and Muriel built, with the help of a good friend Mr. Bevan James, a dedicated art gallery in the shop which is still in use today.
Besides loving his trade passionately, Charlie was a great people person. For some years, Charlie’s quirky way with words had a following in Ballarat and beyond, through his advertising in the Ballarat Courier.
In 1971 Charlie and Muriel’s son Ross, or Tom as he was fondly known by Charlie, joined the business after spending three years with Mr. Archie Meare Connoiseurs Store in Toorak Road, South Yarra.
In the year 2000 Ross’ son Craig joined the business after spending four years in management at McDonald’s Family Restaurant in Werribee and Melbourne.
Although Charlie passed away on September 19th, 2001 we continually strive to maintain Charlie's principles in an industry that we all love.
Little Muriel is still with us and keeping us in line.
C V Jones Antiques and Art Gallery are moving with the times and are now on the internet but we still hold the values that Charlie and Muriel instilled in us.
If you come and visit C V Jones Antiques and Art Gallery and we are not here, please check the LCD screen located in the front window of the shop for a slide show of our quality stock.
We value our family life, sport and friends, so you will not find us here on Saturday afternoons or Sundays. Come and see us during our open hours and we will enjoy a cup of tea. Given notice we will arrange an after hours appointment.
We hope to see you one day in "sunny" Ballarat.
