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.
The special ops striptease
08 April 2019When British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents were parachuted into occupied Europe in the Second World War speed was vital. Not only did they have to jump from sub-radar altitudes as low as 400ft, hitting the ground within 10-15 seconds, but they also had to make a quick getaway.
Six lots to watch at auction this week including an Elizabethan jug, a Constable sketch and a German Expressionist painting
04 March 2019With estimates from £100-$50,000, here are six previews from upcoming sales this week.
Double window panels at triple value
04 March 2019Two Victorian stained-glass and leaded window panels entered by the same vendor trebled the estimates in selling to the same UK online bidder at Special Auction Services (17.5% buyer’s premium) on February 5.
Memorabilia from the estate of Are You Being Served? actor John Inman pops up at Newbury auction house
01 March 2019The sale of a collection of John Inman memorabilia at auction has highlighted the 1970s star enduring popularity with collectors across the UK.
Seven fabulous fans going under the hammer this month
11 February 2019With many fans going under the hammer in the coming weeks it is an ideal time to get more familiar with this market where examples can range in price from a few pounds to the high five figures.
Concorde memorabilia found in an old box of paperwork flies into auction in Berkshire
05 February 2019Rare memorabilia from the supersonic jet Concorde that was found in a box of paperwork will be offered in April at Special Auction Services (SAS).
Four lots to watch at auction this week including a Lowry sketch and a John Knibb clock
28 January 2019With estimates from £400-40,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including Dirk Bogarde's pietra dura table and a Zulu War shield
07 January 2019With estimates from £50 to £25,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Movers and shakers: the latest trade appointments including new faces at Halls and Hansons and a new office for Phillips
18 December 2018Our latest look at moves across the world of art and antiques.
Five lots to watch at auction this week including a mirror linked to the Titanic and a Martin Brothers pottery dog.
10 December 2018With estimates from £1500 to £30,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.
Steiff teddy bear all dressed up for a wedding
10 December 2018This very rare bear shown below made a very high price for such a small fellow – just 14cm (5½in) high.
Five toy and model lots to watch out for at upcoming auctions
27 November 2018A selection of lots coming up in either dedicated toy and model auctions or sections within larger sales.
Great lookers eyed on the same day by Newbury auctioneer
05 November 2018“The chances of finding one that had been bought in a £90 box lot was probably one in a million; the chances of finding two more on the same day are incalculable.” Scientific instruments expert Hugo Marsh was talking about specialist camera lenses he was shown in September, first by a south-coast vendor, then by a West Country enthusiast, which sold at Special Auction Services (17.5% buyer’s premium) at Newbury on October 23.
Transit instruments measure up in Newbury sale
22 October 2018Probably a puzzle to all but experts in the field, the item shown below is a transit instrument – one of three which all went well above estimates at a cameras and scientific instruments sale held by Special Auctions Services (17.5% buyer’s premium).
Saleroom selection: Six pieces of Baxter Whitefriars glass on offer at auctions around the UK
01 October 2018Whitefriars glass can be traced back to the 18th century but it really came into its own after James Powell purchased the business for his three sons in 1834.
Pick of the Week The Byne Ladies will stay together
25 June 2018Three 18th century English carved and painted wooden dolls, in the same family for over two centuries, were sold at Specialist Auction Services of Newbury on June 19.
A welcome breeze for fans of fans
18 June 2018Two notable single-owner collections, augmented by items from the round of Oriental art sales, made spring a bumper crop in the specialist world of fans.
How £100 can go a long way in the fans collecting field
18 June 2018Advertising and souvenir fans from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries received a mixed reception at the April 10 Special Auction Services sale at Newbury devoted to works collected by the late Martin Willcocks.
Very rare 17th century English doll turns heads to sell for £9500 at North Yorkshire auction
08 June 2018Despite having lost a hand and suffering minor wear and chips to her chin, not to mention being just 5.5in (14cm) high, a doll caused a considerable stir at auction with six phone lines and internet bidders all desperate to succeed.
Why Bing is the toy train in-thing
21 May 2018Called to look at some toy trains in the home of a lady who had recently died at a great age, Special Auction Services (17.5% buyer’s premium) specialist Hugo Marsh was surprised to be shown two early and rare Bing items. They had been collected by the lady’s first husband and stored away since he was killed in the Second World War.
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