In stark contract to the general economic doom and gloom John Goodwin auctioneers enjoyed a record breaking attendance at their latest collective sale at the Pavilion Room Ledbury.

Perhaps lured by the smell of bacon wafting across the car park or more likely the wide range of items on offer, particularly a wonderful collection of good quality jewellery, brought private buyers, collectors and dealers out in force.

Once again the furniture section failed to make a significant impact on the sale total with top spot shared by a small oak side table at £320 and an oak refectory table at a similar price.

In the collectables section extensive pre-sale advertising had attracted specialist interest with a collection of railway and other lamps selling for a total of almost £1000.  Other collectables included 3 small tin plate toys at £180 and a Mahjong set at £90.

The silver section was topped by a silver punch bowl at £260 a quantity of Georgian flatware sold at £140, an art nouveau photo frame at £110, and a pair of Walker and Hall candlesticks at £180.

The local vendor of 2 violins which had been tucked away in the attic for some years was delighted when they more than trebled pre-sale expectations selling at £440 and £550 respectively both underbid by a dealer based in America.

Once again militaria, and in particular, medals performed extremely well.  An interesting watch presented to Private White on gaining his military medal by the Mayor of Wolverhampton sold at £160 and a single 1914 15 star awarded to a Captain in the Leicestershire regiment achieved an amazing £210.

There was a large amount of interest in the collection of guns and bayonets in the sale top price going to a restored Durs Egg flintlock pistol at £300 with another flintlock selling at £290.

An unexpectant hush came over the sale room as items in the jewellery section came under the hammer.  A wonderful collection of jewellery was topped by a necklace with a 3 carat pear cut diamond which sold in the room at £9000 the best price of the day.  Other exceptional results in the jewellery section included £3200 for a ladies gold rolex watch £2100 for a ladies Tiffany watch and a very hotly contested fire opal ring sold at £1100.

The most amusing lot of the sale, a chastity belt and handcuff sold at £40 reputedly as a Christmas present for the anonymous buyers daughter!