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.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including cult Contemporary art, a William IV needlework sampler and a RAF clock

30 September 2019

With estimates from £150-1500, here are five previews of upcoming sales this week.

Special Auction Services to double its space in new premises

30 September 2019

Newbury’s Special Auction Services is to expand into a double-height saleroom in the new year.

Tanto tantalises bidders at Special Auction Services

12 August 2019

Special Auction Services’ (17.5% buyer’s premium) sale in Newbury on July 9 included a wide selection of edged weapons which was topped by a mid-19th century Japanese short sword or tanto estimated at £200-300.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including a Doulton brown bear, an oak chest and a Greek bronze helmet

05 August 2019

With estimates from £150-50,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

Extraordinary 'photo gun’ sets a house record by selling for £138,000 at Special Auction Services

24 July 2019

A ‘photo gun’ inspired by an African explorer has been snapped up for a hammer price of £138,000 at Special Auction Services, setting a house record for the Newbury saleroom.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including Churchill chairs, a portrait miniature collection and Sèvres porcelain

08 July 2019

With estimates from £100-70,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

Mother and child painting by French Vietnamese artist emerges at Special Auction Services

06 May 2019

Special Auction Services of Newbury will offer a painting by French Vietnamese artist Le Pho (1907- 2001) at its May 8 sale.

Gandolfi rarity among lots at Special Auction Services spring camera sale

15 April 2019

Special Auction Services regularly holds sales of photographic equipment cameras and photographs in its Newbury rooms.

Five lots to watch at auction this week including an Egyptian scarab beetle and a singing bird box

08 April 2019

With estimates from £250-30,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

The special ops striptease

08 April 2019

When 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 2019

With estimates from £100-$50,000, here are six previews from upcoming sales this week.

Double window panels at triple value

04 March 2019

Two 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 2019

The 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 2019

With 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 2019

Rare 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 2019

With 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 2019

With 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 2018

Our 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 2018

With estimates from £1500 to £30,000, here are five previews from upcoming sales this week.

Steiff teddy bear all dressed up for a wedding