Special Auction Services
Founded in Newbury, Berkshire in 1991, Special Auction Services host a wide range of specialist collectors’ sales throughout the year.
As well as regular antiques and collectables sales, they hold tailored auctions focusing on categories such as toys, music and entertainment, cameras, sporting memorabilia, cigarette cards, postcards, jewellery, coins and watches. Their annual Trains Galore sale takes place in December.
Since 2006, the firm had been run by auctioneers Thomas Plant and Neil Shuttleworth.
Avery jockey scales go weigh above estimate
07 March 2022Former champion jockey Joe Mercer 1934-2021) was a keen buyer of racing memorabilia.
A duo of ‘Qianlong’ objects inspired by China’s archaic past emerge at regional sales
28 February 2022This blue and white ewer with a Qianlong mark offered at Cheffins (24.5% buyer’s premium) in Cambridge as part of an Interiors sale is of a type modelled on a Zhou bronze ritual wine vessel or 'he'.
German mass market appeal
31 January 2022A rare large-scale Erzgebirge mid-19th century painted wooden market was one of the stand-out lots of the largest-ever Toys, Dolls, Dolls’ Houses and Teddy Bears sale to be staged by Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.
The quality Aynsley appeal
03 January 2022The Aynsley factory’s reputation for good quality, unadventurous bone china tea and coffee wares made it the safe choice for many British households.
Pick of the week: Nicole musical boxes to get your teeth into
13 December 2021François Nicole (b.1766), the Geneva-based pioneer of the key-wind musical box, is thought to have made around 440 boxes during his working life, but only around 60 are known today.
Fossils fuel interest in 19th century microscope slides
01 November 2021A group of early 19th century microscope slides mounted with specimens of fossilised wood sold for £11,500 (estimate £1000-1500) to a Canadian private collector at Special Auction Services (25% buyer’s premium) in Newbury.
Owner stories boost value of Pearson teddy bears
16 August 2021Toys from the private collection of Sue Pearson, the UK’s leading dealer in antique and vintage teddy bears and soft toys, were offered in Newbury.
Rare Steiff ‘hot-water’ bottle bear makes special appearance
28 June 2021Some of the zest has gone out of the teddy bear market since the crazy days of two decades ago.
Hound kept in garage
05 April 2021Classic Hammer Horror film posters are always popular at auction. This example below was probably the first UK quad release of The Hound of The Baskervilles (1959) starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
Early railway toys puff into Newbury
25 January 2021This charming early English-style station below was produced for the export market by German toy manufacturer Märklin.
ATG letter: Aston’s – I wish SAS well
02 November 2020MADAM – It was heartening to read that the premises of Aston’s Auctioneers and Valuers of Dudley (ATG No 2463) have been taken over by Special Auction Services (SAS) of Newbury, Berkshire.
Aston’s premises go to ‘friendly rival’ as Special Auction Services expands into the Midlands
12 October 2020Special Auction Services is expanding into the West Midlands and has taken over the premises of toy and collectables specialist Aston’s Auctioneers & Valuers in Dudley.
Hornby train sets still on the right track after 100 years
20 July 2020The Hornby train set is 100 years old this year. ATG reports on the sale of a remarkable century-old survivor plus highlights from across the UK regions
Snaggletooth figure on offer
20 July 2020This Star Wars Kenner Blue Snaggletooth action figure, undented toe version, complete with original weapon, is estimated at £80-120 in the Special Auction Services October 27 Toys for the Collector sale.
Portobello dealer’s collection of kitchenalia and more proves a sell-out at Newbury auction
06 July 2020Joan Dunk (1930-2019) was a Portobello Road market stalwart. Her stall, for decades an outside pitch on the corner of Westbourne Grove, was affectionately known as IDA – the trade name of an early 20th century German kitchen equipment manufacturer which she adapted to mean ‘Interesting Domestic Appliances’.
Collection from Portobello Road market trader comes to Berkshire auction
03 June 2020The house contents of Portobello Road market stalwart Joan Dunk (1930-2019) is to be sold in Newbury next week.
Auction calendar begins revival via the virtual rostrum
27 April 2020After a month’s hiatus, a number of top-tier regional auction houses are returning to the rostrum to conduct ‘live online’ sales.
Sale drives towards a sell-out
23 March 2020With just five of the 630 lots of toys and models failing to get away and an £80,000 total well above top hopes, Special Auctions Services’ Newbury sale was, said auctioneer Hugo Marsh, “just like the old days – even better”.
Art Nouveau vases, Mouseman wall brackets and Great War gallantry medals – five lots to watch at auction this week
02 March 2020With estimates from £600-3000 here are five previews of upcoming items this week.
Posters lead the way on road to music stardom
17 February 2020Concert posters from the earliest days of bands that later became famous are particulary sought-after at auction. Leading this selection from recent sales is a five-figure example from 1964 which promotes one of the first Rolling Stones tour performances, but many others are available at a lower price range announcing appearances at venues with evocative names such as Bridlington Spa Hall, Basildon Locarno Ballroom and Barnston Women’s Institute.
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