Unusual and historic items offered for sale

A RARE historic photograph is to be offered for sale at the Carmarthen Antiques and Flea Market on Sunday, April 28.

The early 20th century image of Adelina Patti is expected to attract quite some interest, not only because of the age of the photograph, but because the opera singer rarely allowed her photograph to be taken. Patti was notorious for tilting her head so that her face could not be seen.

Adelina Patti was the greatest soprano of her day, born in Spain in 1843 to Italian opera-singing parents, the composer Verdi declared her the greatest singer he had ever heard.

Known for her tempestuous artistic temperament she was adored and acclaimed across Europe.

In 1878 she bought Craig-y-Nos Castle in the Swansea Valley and lived there with her lover Ernest Nicolini, another opera singer.

Following her divorce from her first husband the Marquis of Caux, she married Nicolini in Ystradgynlais and he lived with her at Craig-yNos until his death.

Adelina immersed herself in the local community and was a generous benefactor, giving charity concerts even after she had retired.

She also sung at the Eisteddfod in Brecon in 1889. In 1918 she presented the Winter Garden building from the Craig-y-Nos estate to the city of Swansea.

Here it was re-erected and re-named the Patti Pavilion.

The photograph of Adelina Patti to be sold at the Carmarthen Antiques and Flea Market shows her disembarking from a train at Swansea Station in September of 1907.

Being South Wales’s biggest event of its kind with stands inside and out, it’s always possible to find more unusual items at the flea market.

As well as quality antique furniture, ceramics, art and vintage clothing and jewellery, agricultural tools and toys you’ll even find the personalised number plate. DYF3D at the next fair.