Auctioneers

The auction process is a key part of the secondary art and antiques market.

Firms of auctioneers usually specialise in a number of fields such as jewellery, ceramics, paintings, Asian art or coins but many also hold general sales where the goods available are not defined by a particular genre and are usually lower in value.

Auctioneers often provide other services such as probate and insurance valuations.

2687AB Knights Wisden 1875

Rarest edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack hits £27,000 hammer price at specialist sport auction house

27 March 2025

A copy of what is regarded as probably the rarest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack came up for sale at Knights Sporting Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) on March 21-23.

German stackfreed pocket watch

‘Complete and original’: 16th century pocket watch makes 14 times estimate in Cheshire

26 March 2025

The latest jewellery and watches sale at Wilson55 in Nantwich included a rare pocket watch from the 1580s.

George Romney drawing

Windfall for vendor who found George Romney sketch in rubbish skip

26 March 2025

A sketch by George Romney (1734-1802) came to a recent auction in south London with a remarkable backstory.

Joseph Cartwright watercolour

Cartwright’s Corfu scene brings demand in Scottish auction

25 March 2025

Among the works on paper attracting interest at the early spring auctions was a 19th century study that emerged at a sale in Dumfries.

First Chinese version of the bible

First Chinese version of bible makes over 60 times estimate at Bonhams

25 March 2025

The book was consigned by Oxfam in a timed sale at the London auction house

2687NEDI NIB LSK Led Zep

Led Zeppelin IV album becomes a five figure hit thanks to signatures of all four band members

25 March 2025

For many fans, the untitled fourth album known simply as 'Led Zeppelin IV' is the band at their very peak. Released in 1971, it includes classic tracks such as 'Stairway to Heaven', 'When the Levee Breaks' and 'Black Dog'.

Oliver Searle

Auction house Gorringe’s back under family control

24 March 2025

Sussex and Kent auction house Gorringe’s begins a fresh chapter next month under full family ownership and new management.

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Football programme recalls friendly match called off amid febrile atmosphere

24 March 2025

Underlining once again the desirability of football match programmes for games that were actually postponed or cancelled, an Arsenal example offered on March 3 hammered at £7500 via thesaleroom.com.

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Original carrying case contains early Barbie and her little sister

24 March 2025

A c.1960 Barbie doll and related items by Mattel is estimated at £300-500 in the Specialist Collectable Toys Auction on April 10 at Sheffield Auction Gallery.

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Cheffins: looking back on a rich 200-year history

24 March 2025

Cambridge auction house Cheffins is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

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Do the Locomotion with C&T

24 March 2025

This year marks the 200th anniversary of a major milestone in the railway age: the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).

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Jersey view takes top Blampied spot

24 March 2025

Local scenes by the incredibly prolific artist from the Channel Islands are favourites in today’s market

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Traditional German toy soldiers on the march in Berkshire

24 March 2025

Highlights from the extensive David Finn German toy collection sold at Special Auction Services

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Dickensian world of blacking brought back to mind by stoneware bottle

24 March 2025

Blacking ink was widely used in the 19th century for the cleaning and polishing of boots and shoes, floors and doorsteps.

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Einstein signature and date teaches a lesson on value

24 March 2025

The second tranche of material from a German autograph collector, the late Franz-Peter Bach, was offered by Anderson & Garland (30% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 5.

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Medal marks the unpopular royal marriage of Mary and Philip

24 March 2025

A Renaissance gilt bronze medal made to mark the marriage of Queen Mary I (1516-58) and King Philip II (1527-98) sold for £15,500 at Sloane Street Auctions (26.5% buyer’s premium).

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Nice little earner: Wealth of Nations generates double the low estimate

24 March 2025

Second edition copy of Adam Smith classic work sells at £8000 in Cumbrian saleroom

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Lehmann Lo & Li on a high at fives times the low estimate

24 March 2025

One of the rarest and most colourful Lehmann toys put in a bright performance at Special Auction Services.

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Carafe inscription reveals connection to the Kit Kat Club

24 March 2025

An early 18th century onion-shaped decanter or carafe offered at Halls (24% buyer’s premium) in Shrewsbury was of particular interest for a point-engraved inscription to the body. It read 'The Kit Kat Club at the Fountain Tavern on the Strand'.

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Pulling your leg? No, it really is a portrait with no body

24 March 2025

A curious unsigned oil on linen soared past its $800- 1200 guide to achieve $7000 (£5400) at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) in Maine.

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