Auctioneers

Simon Chorley Auctioneers and Valuers of Gloucestershire have become the first art and antiques specialists to successfully apply for the new antiques road signs.

In 1963, the daring actions of a 15-strong band of small-time London criminals captivated the world’s media. In 2007, it seems the Great Train Robbery still has the capacity to seize headlines.

BACK in 1936, a Mr Harry Woods decided to refurbish his home, The Gate House in Brighouse, and commissioned a fellow Yorkshireman, working some 50 miles away, to provide interior panelling, window seats and doors, as well as various items of furniture.

This massive silver-gilt shield of Achilles, by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell of London, lost to scholars for the better part of the 20th century, appeared at Sotheby's on December 18 after resurfacing in Belgium.

Mallams have announced the location of their new saleroom in Oxfordshire.

A copy of the earliest printed sea atlas sold for a record £52,000 to a Dutch dealer in an Anderson & Garland sale of November 28.

Christie’s South Kensington have announced their new programme of Interior sales for 2008 and it is one which shows an ever greater commitment to a retail approach to handling the middle market.

Christie’s held the first auction of spirits in New York since Prohibition on December 8.

The network of regional salerooms and offices owned by The Fine Art Auction Group is to rebrand under a single name.

It is only 3.25in (8cm) high, but it made more than any sculpture or antiquity ever offered at auction.

SPINK have acquired the assets of Collectors Gallery and have appointed the managing partner of the dealership Mike Veissid as director for their new bond and share department.

Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull have been named among the runners up in the Bank of Scotland £25m Entrepreneur Challenge, a national competition designed to identify and support excellence in businesses.

SMALL in size but large in shock value, this portrait miniature stunned the Gorringes’ saleroom when it sold at £90,000 plus 17.5 per cent buyer’s premium on December 6.

Bonhams are being sued in a case that could have a significant impact on contracts between vendors and auction houses.

Among the highlights of Tennants’ Autumn Catalogue sale held in Leyburn on November 22-23 was this exceptional Victorian Egyptian revival table clock.

THE British Museum were credited with uncovering the fraud that led to the jailing of serial faker Shaun Greenhalgh two weeks ago, while auction houses and the trade were criticised for selling his work.

It was a headline writer’s dream: an 80-year-old William Crawford & Sons biscuit tin still with its original contents intact sold at auction for a massive £13,000 (plus 20 per cent buyer’s premium). Crumbs! Cookie tin brings a lot of dough (Reuters) was just one of a number of groaning puns.

Woolley & Wallis still hold the record for any item sold at auction in the UK outside London. Now it looks like their chairman, Paul Viney, could also hold the record for the top price raised for a single lot at a charity auction.

Upwards of 150 people crammed into the top floor of The Texas Embassy restaurant off Pall Mall in London last week for the fourth annual Antiques Trade Pub Quiz.

South West auctioneers Chilcotts are to open a second saleroom in Honiton.