On August 15th 1998, Glenn Richards opened its doors to the public. Seattle reacted enthusiastically to the large warehouse filled with antique Chinese and Japanese furniture, architectural elements and accessories from all over Southeast Asia. Few people knew that the 'new' Glenn Richards warehouse actually had a history that spanned three generations in Asia.

My grandfather, Fred DeForrest Fairman, went to China in 1921 in search of adventure, silk and spices. What he discovered was the Shanghai of the Roaring 20’s – a chaotic city of international flavor and intrigue. The Chinese were in political turmoil and hungry for all things Western. Fred satisfied their hunger by importing electric fans and household appliances, along with all of the latest cars from Detroit. He exported to the United States silk, cashmere, camphor and spices. For his own household he collected beautifully painted rosewood furniture, old blue and white porcelains, and whimsical, pictorial carpets from Singkaing.

Fred Junior, born in Shanghai, left China in the late 30’s for an education in the United States. He was attending Harvard School of Business when WWII intervened. He heard from his parents that they were interred at Santo Thomas, the notorious war camp for civilians in Manila. Fred spent the next four years in the service of the construction battalion, one step behind the armies moving through the South Pacific all the way to Manila where he liberated his mother. Fred Senior did not survive the harsh environment of the camp. Junior went on to become the Senior Manager of Singer Sewing Machine Company in Tokyo, Japan and when he left Japan 14 years later, he bid farewell to many close friends.

I was born in Japan and lived there for 7 years until the family moved to Bangkok,