SEPTEMBER FINE ART & COLLECTORS SALE REPORT
August 17th, 2017
SEPTEMBER FINE ART & COLLECTORS SALE REPORT
AUGUST 2017 FINE ARTS, MODERN DESIGN & COLLECTORS AUCTION
The August weather may be cooler than expected for the time of year but it was quite the opposite for the auction held on 16th August, as what is usually considered a quieter time of year in the antiques industry the bidding in the saleroom and over the internet was heated!
With a varied selection of items on offer from the late 17th Century in the form of an ivory handled walking stick to glass, ceramics and pi
ctures from as recently as 2009 there was something for everyone and the full saleroom reflected this.
Jewellery and silver were offered first, the silver section saw 99% of the lots sold, many above estimate. Highlights included a 9ct gold Scottish football medal awarded to W.Quinn of Celtic F.C. for the Scottish second XI Football Association 1936-36 winners medal selling at £600, an 18ct gold open face key wind pocket watch by Thomas Savage of London £1250, a rectangular twin handled tray, dated Sheffield 1919 with a weight of 106ozt £1100, two canteens of cutlery sold for £1500 and £2400 respectively.
The medals and militaria section of the auction was much anticipated as it contained several lots that were important historically, the stories behind the awards were very moving. Highlights included a group of WWI gallantry medals at £750, a WWII group of gallantry medals relating to the D Day landings at £4800 and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force scroll £500.
Coins and banknotes proved a very popular area of investment and collecting with 100% of lots selling, top lot at £1400 was two albums of silver, 
gold and cupro nickel coins.
The ceramics and glass section provided the top selling lot of the day when a pair of extensively damaged Oriental porcelain vases of square outline and purple glaze soared on a three-way internet battle to £5400. 18th century glassware proved a hit with bidders when it was offered under the hammer and for those who preferred the more modern was a collection of 20th century glass from three vendors. Lalique glass still being the top seller despite some other up and coming names offered. A Lalique Poisson pattern bowl reached £340 and a Lalique plate with three shell feet realised £240. A small private collection of Ruskin pottery was well received with all lots finding new homes, the highest priced item being a baluster vase with a blue speckled red flambé glaze and dated 1925 at £580.
Wine and whisky is a regular feature of the fine arts auctions now and the 100% selling rate proved its .jpg)
popularity. The top price was £600 for a bottle of Eschenauer cognac from 1878.
This auction saw the inaugural sale of 20th and 21st century 
artwork, the likes of Beryl Cook, Jack Vettriano, Mackenzie Thorpe and John Brunsden limited edition prints were all offered. Buyers appreciated the emerging market and the opportunity to purchase an investment piece without the gallery price tag! Highlights were Beryl Cook “Bathing Pool” limited edition print £220, Mackenzie Thorpe “Cock a Doodle Doo” limited edition print £300 and a Jack Vettriano “Bird on a Wire” limited edition print at £320.
Stamps were offered in 35 lots and the section realised just under £10,000, the two top lots being two albums of stamps from Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II at £1400 and eleven albums of British Empire stamps £3100.
Toy section – A nice collection of 1940’s and 1950’s unboxed Dinky Toys which sold for just under £500. The usual strong interest in the model railway items resulted in a large scale Bassett-Lowke live steam locomotive selling for £300 and an unmarked live steam model of an early locomotive making £360. A Limited Edition Mamod Live Steam Le Mans Racer Car making £420. 
The Interest for early Scalextric items continues with two boxed vintage racing cars making just over £100 each. The sale included a quantity of Doctor Who toys and memorabilia from the 1970’s and onwards which generated a lot of interest, highlights include a boxed 1970’s Palitoy talking K-9 figure making £110 and a modern collection of 60 pin badges housed on a revolving Tardis making £140.
The 27th September auction is our Country House & Collectors sale, entries close on Friday 1st September with a special single owner Bonsai tree auction on 30th September. Contact the office for further details on 01543 251081