Laurance Black began in the antique trade working for the dealers Thomas Love & Son, Perth, Scotland in June 1966; in 1981 he left Love's to become an assistant manager for the Fine Art Society PLC at their branch at 12 Great King Street, Edinburgh. He established his own business 'Laurance Black Ltd., Antiques of Scotland' in October 1989, with his business partner Sarah Jane Campbell (also formerly of Fine Art Society) at 45 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh. Black specialised in Scottish antiques.
Laurance is retired and lives in Edinburgh.