The good old days are back?
Report from our auction on 18th February 2009
A crowded sale room and very spirited bidding could signal the elusive ‘green shoots of recovery’ in the auction market.
At John Goodwins latest sale at the Pavilion Room new bidding numbers had to be found and the pork pies ran out at a very early stage as private and trade buyers from far and wide descended upon the sale room.
The majority of the 600 lots offered had been consigned from local deceased estates and their inherent quality and freshness to the market ensured some spectacular prices even in the ‘brown’ furniture section of the sale.
Indeed second best price of the day went to a Victorian walnut credenza which achieved a hammer price of £7000, exactly double its pre-sale estimate leaving London trade bidders on the telephone frustrated.
It was however the book section that created the greatest excitement, specifically, a folio sized book entitled American photographs 1874.
Bidding started at just £200 but pushed along by a generous commission bid and a number of dealers in the room rose rapidly to £3800. At this point new bidders entered the fray and an expectant hush fell over the sale room as bidding was taken on by one specialist dealer after another with the hammer finally falling at £16,500 to spontaneous applause from the astonished onlookers.
The rest of the sale continued in very much the same vein. Old favourites including postcards with albums to £320 and £600 and sovereigns with prices to £160 in great demand.
Top price in the porcelain section went to a Minton majolica game pie dish that, despite damage, sold for £1200. A large quantity of Spode blue and white dinner ware sold at £550 and a set of Royal Worcester month of the year figures sold for £1540.
A collection of Royal Crown Derby paperweights attracted considerable interest from private collectors and achieved a total of £1820.
Other collectables performed well. A quantity of bridge markers sold for £200, a single carved wooden stick handle at £280 and 2 ivory stick handles at £290.
Top price in the silver section went to a large silver tureen that despite damage achieved £800. A cased, silver mounted, dressing table set sold at £350 and a stylish 2 piece Arts and Crafts silver tea set sold at £380.
The auction was conducted by Chris Maulkin who was naturally delighted with the outcome due largely to the very extensive pre-sale marketing and advertising which attracted applicants worldwide.
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