Mixed Lot

I went to a funeral today and witnessed a three year old boy walking behind his father's coffin. I am a Christian. I am an angry Christian.

Mixed Lot

I am bruised the length of the left-hand side of my torso and have absolutely no idea how it happened. Beth is convinced that my liver has imploded as a direct consequence of excessive alcohol consumption. That I spent the majority of last Friday in bed with food poisoning was almost certainly a coincidence. Other theories include 'You must have been in a fight' (yes, but I think I would probably remember that) or 'Perhaps you were abducted by an alien craft and experimented on'. The latter theory carries some weight because it would explain why I don't remember anything of the incident that led to my body looking like something hanging from the back of a butcher's van.

There is no time for dwelling on the mystery; I have a busy week ahead, not least because it is our year-end. In addition to that we have The Cloisters Fair on Wednesday and Saturday (the latter with a little twist - more details to follow) and a house clearance to complete. I'm also committed to a day charging around the countryside with a new colleague (which I am very much looking forward to - always happy to help new people ease their way into the business) and an afternoon in my study with two existing colleagues to provide them with 'instruction' on how to sell through eBay. In between all that I need to allow for two days child care and a funeral. Oh, and a haircut.

Most of us (apart from socialists and hippies) lead busy lives and it's for this reason, and many others, that I baulk at completing the Census form - although I did online last night. Predominantly, it is the fact that we are required by law to answer questions of a deeply personal nature that I most object to. It is not the State's business to demand knowledge of my whereabouts on the night of the 27th March 2011 and had the data related to the previous Thursday I would not have known in any case (see Facebook status update for that day)!

Scrap gold and silver continues to rise - it really is extraordinary. The markets have little faith in the ability of the world economy to make a full recovery and it is this strength of opinion that is responsible for driving up the price of precious metals. Don't make the mistake of hanging on too long though - because at some point the price will begin to fall back to a more balanced level. Better to sell now and be safe than be greedy for just that little bit more. We achieved excellent gold and silver prices at our last auction - do contact us on 01603 304337 to discuss how we can help to sell on your behalf.

Mixed Lot

I've been wearing women's clothes for most of the week. It's not as bad as it sounds though (I just wanted to get you to the second sentence without falling asleep). What I have actually been doing is wearing Beth's socks. They are too tight for me but there it is. My socks have disappeared and I have absolutely no idea where they are. Why do socks disappear like that?

There are many unexplained things in life - like why someone would pay £80 for a silver ring at yesterday's auction that we couldn't sell for £3 the time before... The sale was certainly profitable with more than 90% of lots getting away including both star entries - the 18ct gold pocket watches. The Baskerville seal ring sold too, for £418 ABP. The French Foreign Legion hat went for £94 ABP, the Victorian pinchbeck brooch for £99 ABP, and the Julian Trevelyan print (pictured) for £182 ABP. We nearly didn't have a sale at all. During the preview, one of our cabinets collapsed - fortunately, the Moorcroft was in the other cabinet...

We look forward now to next week and two house clearances which should ensure that our next sale on the 14th April is a bumper one. It's been a while since we had a house clearance so it will be good to get back into that particular saddle. House clearances provide much of the 'bulk' of a sale - you have to have a bit of large tat amongst the tiny finery. Talking about tat, LOT 85 - A dog ramp, sold for £2! The sale of the dog ramp stirred much amusement within the room. We should have listed it as a mystery item because no one had seen such a thing before. Apparently, they sell for £40 new! It is essentially a device to enable elderly dogs to access a vehicle. I nearly bid on it myself - after all, I am a lot older than my wife and there will come a time when...well, let's not go into that now.

After the sale we did what we do in The Doghouse (not before reassuring a CCTV controller that the gun toting woman in shades on St George's Street was actually just a rather eccentric member of my team and posed no genuine threat to passers-by). The Doghouse is our natural habitat. Linda, Helen, Daniel, and I (The Quadraphonics) were joined by Martin and Steph for several lime cordials and a bit of gossip. I don't really remember getting home, my last memory being chilli and beers at The Cottage on Silver Road. The barmaid there used to work at The Shed (an old watering hole of mine). The sun shone all day yesterday just like it always used to in The Shed's garden. Spring is almost upon us and life is good.

A lazy day for me today - lazyish as I do have a 'top executive meeting' at The Dog House to attend to over lunch. Then it's The Cloisters Fair tomorrow (Saturday) - 8am til 4pm 50p entry (trade free between 8am and 9am).

Quick Plug

It's our auction today - see previous posts for the catalogue/some images.
In the meantime, a quick plug for the Beccles Street Antique Market that takes place on Sunday, 1st of May, erm in Beccles (of course).
The divine Kate Lees arrived at The Cloisters yesterday armed with lots of fliers - so do pop in to see us if you want to grab one. The antique market in Beccles is a super event - and a must see/do/buy if you like to have a rummage and to find something special. Helen and I have booked (and actually paid!) for our pitch and are ready to rumble. We're hoping that we don't get rained off like last time. Kate advised 'You need a gazebo and then you need to pour some concrete into some paint pots and then tie each corner of the gazebo onto a pot' but that just sounded too complicated - Helen and I agreed that we would just wing it...

Sale Catalogue - 24th March 2011

This is our catalogue for tomorrow's General Auction including Antiques & Valuables at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. The sale starts at 2pm with public viewing from midday.

General Auction incl Antiques & Valuables
24th March 2011 - Public Copy Catalogue

Lot Description Estimate

1 Large Martini mirror 30-40

2 Octagonal table 80-120

3 Miniature cabinet 40-60

4 19th Century pinchbeck cameo brooch* 30-40

5 Gold wedding band - 22ct 2g* 30-40

6 Diamond solitaire ring* 40-60

7 Two vintage necklaces in ornate vintage pearl case* 10-20

8 Piano stool 30-40

9 Bag containing Praktica camera etc 20-30

10 Mixed lot of assorted jewellery etc 10-20

11 Mixed lot of unframed prints 20-30

12 Boxed Dinky Citroen car* 10-20

13 Boxed Dinky Austin van* 10-20

14 Box of '78 records 8-12

15 Vintage record player 10-20

16 Small octagonal table~ 10-20

17 Vintage wooden chest/trunk 40-60

18 Pine coffee table 20-30

19 Pine corner unit 30-40

20 Three vintage compacts* 10-20

21 Silver-plated dish* 8-12

22 Silver mirror and two silver brushes* 60-80

23 Round embossed silver mirror - Birmingham 1919* 30-40

24 Pair of Victorian ebony and hallmarked silver glove-stretchers* 20-30

25 Large early 19th 9ct gold Century brooch* 40-60

26 9ct gold wedding band (3g)* 20-30

27 Denby vase 10-20

28 19th Century oil portrait of a gentleman 10-20

29 Mixed lot of glass & ceramics 10-20

30 Oil on panel village scene at Westwell in Cotswolds - E. Brook~ 10-20

31 Autographed cricket bat - Darren Gough~ 20-30

32 Mixed lot~ 8-12

33 Three vintage saws - please be careful!!! 10-20

34 Coffee table~ 10-20

35 Boxed cricket Subbuteo~ 8-12

36 Mixed lot of pictures~ 10-20

37 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

38 Oil on canvas - Peter Bullen 20-30

39 Mixed lot~ 10-20

40 Boxed salt and pepper~ 8-12

41 Picture of Elm Hill in Norwich~ 8-12

42 Chinese vase, pair of figures, & bowl 10-20

43 LD lamp base 8-12

44 Mixed lot of diecast~ 10-20

45 Mixed lot of diecast~ 10-20

46 Pair of lamps 10-20

47 Mixed lot of diecast~ 10-20

48 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

49 Norwich School painting - John Thirtle(1777-1839)~ 800-1200

50 Vintage motorised pond yacht with steerage 80-120

51 Mixed lot~ 10-20

52 Pair of vintage spectacles*~ 10-20

53 1960's military watch* 40-60

54 Oval embossed silver hand mirror* 30-40

55 Hallmarked silver ashtray - Birmingham 1973* 30-40

56 Antique French white metal brooch in original box* 20-30

57 Antique enamel faced silver ladies pocket-watch* 40-60

58 Two sets of cufflinks (incl one with tie pin) - Stratton & Tivoli* 30-40

59 Decorative display of flamingoes 40-60

60 Mixed lot of diecast~ 10-20

61 Mixed lot of coins~ 10-20

62 Cased cutlery set 20-30

63 Royal Worcester cake plate & slice 10-20

64 Mixed lot of old cutlery etc 10-20

65 Art Deco dish 10-20

66 Cane unit~ 10-20

67 Pair of boules and a jack 10-20

68 Album of approx 200 postcards incl local scenes 40-60

69 Moorcroft Lagoon vase (shape 152/5) - Ltd Ed no.45 of 75 and
signed to base by Philip Gibson (now retired)*~ 300-400
70 Box of 10 x new condition Spice Girls books 10-20

71 Vintage bass guitar 20-30

72 Mixed lot incl pigeon timer etc 10-20

73 Royal Doulton & set of three Edwardian vases 20-30

74 Mixed lot of jewellery display heads 20-30

75 Hallmarked silver cigarette case - Birmingham 1936 5oz* 80-100

76 Cased set of Viners hallmarked silver teaspoons (approx 80g)* 30-40

77 Hallmarked silver Beaverbrooks bracelet in original case* 20-30

78 Cased silver necklace* 10-20

79 Four antiquarian books incl 1670 edition 'A Manual of the Private
Devotions etc' & 1695 Edition 'Rule & Exerises of Holy Living' 30-40
80 Burleigh Ware blue & white vase 20-30

81 Beswick Beatrix Potter - Mrs Tittlemouse* 20-30

82 Beswick Beatrix Potter - Goody Tiptoes* 20-30

83 Royal Albert Beatrix Potter - Taylor of Gloucester* 20-30

84 Beswick Beatrix Potter - Benjamin Bunny* 20-30

85 A dog ramp 8-12

86 Mixed lot of first day cover stamps 8-12

87 Cased set of fish knives & forks 10-20

88 Mixed lot of Royal Albert ceramic ware 10-20

89 Vintage writing slope~ 30-40

90 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

91 1940's military army watch* 40-60

92 Hallmarked silver cigarette case - Birmingham 1919 3oz* 40-60

93 Small silver crucifix* 8-12

94 Cased set of John Elkan silver shirt studs* 20-30
95 Josiah Wedgwood silver & jasperware pendant & chain* 10-20

96 Two silver skull rings* 20-30

97 Mixed lot of framed prints (6) 20-30

98 Mixed lot of records~ 10-20

99 Mixed lot~ 10-20

100 Silver-plated tray - makers name JD & S* 10-20

101 Fob pocket watch* 30-40

102 Pair of brass Dutch figures* 10-20

103 Old silver ring* 10-20

104 Purple stone college ring* 10-20

105 Ltd Ed print 'Ischia' (Italy) Julian Trevelyan 122/158 200-300

106 19th Century teapot~ 8-12

107 Mixed lot of records~ 8-12

108 Bag of costume jewellery* 10-20

109 Victorian gold and ivory pendant in the form of a claw*~ 30-40

110 Jardiniere stand~ 10-20

111 Japanese set of 6 c cups, plates, saucers~ 8-12

112 Mixed lot of thimbles incl a silver example (in cabinet) 10-20

113 Mixed lot of railway incl track~ 8-12

114 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

115 Accurist chronograph gents watch* 20-30

116 Mixed lot of watches* 10-20

117 Two Ten-shilling notes*~ 8-12

118 Moorcroft Pole to Pole Seals vase (now discontinued) 8.5" tall*~ 160-200

119 Gascoins fountain pen in original box*~ 10-20

120 Silver cigarette case - Birmingham 1921* 30-40

121 Silver picture frame - Sheffield 1988* 30-40

122 Silver vesta - hallmarked Birmingham 1894* 20-30

123 Mixed lot incl costume jewellery and a picture frame* 10-20

124 Silver set necklace & bracelet in case* 30-40

125 Amber necklace & earring set* 20-30

126 Black stone ring & set silver earrings* 20-30

127 Large CZ silver ring* 10-20

128 Silver amber ring* 8-12

129 Red stone college ring* 10-20

130 Oak mirror~ 10-20

131 Back Garden signed Leslie Davenport, watercolour & ink, 1951, framed 300-400

132 Fire screen~ 10-20

133 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

134 Vintage print of Trowse in Norwich~ 8-12

135 Cased Platignum fountain pen*~ 8-12

136 Mixed lot of pictures~ 10-20

137 Edward I penny (1307-1310) - struck in Bristol* 10-20

138 Elizabeth I threepence - Tower Mint* 30-40

139 Mixed lot of bank notes* 10-20

140 £20 misprint banknote* 100-200

141 Hallmarked silver purse - Birmingham 1910* 60-80

142 Hallmarked silver cigarette box - Chester 1919* 30-40

143 18ct gold wedding band (3.4g)* 40-60

144 Pocket watch* 20-30

145 Emerald gold pendant*~ 200-300

146 Rare Norwich vacuum jar saved from Garlands fire in the 1970's~ 10-20

147 French Foreign Legion cap~ 20-30

148 Mixed lot of die cast~ 10-20

149 19th Century silver scent bottle with stopper*~ 20-30

150 Cased silver bracelet*~ 10-20

151 Mixed lot of CDs~ 10-20

152 Mixed lot~ 10-20

153 Bag of costume jewellery* 10-20

154 18ct gold & emerald pendant*~ 40-60

155 18ct gold & emerald earrings*~ 30-40

156 Mixed lot of plates~ 10-20

157 Mixed lot of vinyl records~ 8-12

158 Mixed lot~ 8-12

159 Mixed lot of diecast~ 10-20

160 Silver cigarette box - Birmingham 1924* 30-40

161 18ct gold wedding band (6.3g)* 100-120

162 18ct gold & platinum mounted diamond ring* 80-120

163 Hallmarked silver vesta* 10-20

164 Fob pocket watch with gold inlay on back + wallet* 30-40

165 Marcel Drucker watch & matching bracelet* 20-30

166 Silver-topped scent bottle* 18-25

167 Three Royal Tournament medals (1 silver & 2 bronze)* 20-30

168 Pair of Art Deco silver-plated knife rests* 10-20

169 George V silver coin* 8-12

170 Two pairs of 9ct gold earrings & silver heart* 30-40

171 Mixed lot~ 10-20

172 Burleigh Ware blue & white vase 20-30

173 Mixed lot~ 10-20

174 Mixed lot~ 8-12

175 18ct gold & emerald earrings*~ 30-40

176 19th Century spoon*~ 20-30

177 Mixed lot~ 8-12

178 1960's Moeris Swiss automatic James Bond 007
Gents wristwatch in gwo* 600-800
179 Hallmarked silver pin dish - Broadway & Co, Birmingham* 20-30

180 Mixed lot of pins incl Peyton Pepper silver* 20-30

181 Blue & white oriental vase 30-40

182 Mixed lot of pictures~ 10-20

183 Mixed lot~ 10-20

184 Mixed lot~ 8-12

185 Stunning pair of Victorian Sterling silver knife rests - George
Shiebler & Co, New York* 80-120
186 Mixed lot~ 8-12

187 Mixed lot~ 8-12

188 Mixed lot~ 8-12

189 Mixed lot~ 10-20

190 Silver dish with 1780 Thaler to base - 66g* 40-60

191 Mixed lot of items (4) incl silver-handled button-hook & a
continental silver pill box* 20-30
192 Masonic enamelled lodge medal* 30-40

193 Two Dutch coins* 8-12

194 Very rare 18ct gold Doctor's pocket watch - London 1934 made by
Bensons for HRH Prince of Wales - 68.5g excluding movement* 1800-2000
195 Mixed lot of coins incl silver & a banknote in an antique
leather purse* 30-40
196 9ct gold Avia ladies watch* 20-30

197 Mixed lot~ 10-20

198 Mixed lot~ 8-12

199 Mixed lot of pictures~ 20-30

200 Silver basket - 1922 Birmingaham 11oz* 180-250

201 22ct gold wedding band A/F (6g)* 120-140

202 1935 Deco 9ct gold diamond & sapphire ring* 40-60

203 Sampson & Mordan ivory combination pen, propelling pencil &
quill & fruit knife c.1885* 120-180
204 Four silver-handled pickle forks* 20-30

205 Silver cameo brooch by Charles Horner designed by Mary
Gregory* 40-60
206 No Lot

207 Large figurine of a Japanese Geisha 30-40

208 Medium sized Sakura figurine of a Japanese Geisha 30-40

209 Two small figurines of Japanese Geishas 30-40

210 Large figurine of a Japanese Geisha 30-40

211 No Lot

212 No Lot

213 No Lot

214 No Lot

215 No Lot

216 No Lot

217 No Lot

218 No Lot

219 No Lot

220 No Lot

221 No Lot

222 No Lot

223 18ct gold & platinum diamond dress ring* 80-120

224 Large (16g) 18ct gold gentleman's seal ring formerly the property
of Charles G Baskerville, inscribed from his children (Trinity 1856-
1906) along with a Victorian housekeeping and birthday record
book from the Baskerville family* 400-500
225 18ct gold (73g excluding movement) half-hunter pocket-watch
hallmarked Chester 1902* 1800-2000


* Indicates in or near cabinets
~ Ignore this it is messy

More Images for Thursday's Sale

Our General Auction including Antiques & Valuables takes place this Thursday, 24th March 2011 at 2pm at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich (public viewing from midday). We've already posted a picture of LOT 194, a very rare 18ct gold Doctor's pocket-watch (see below) but here are a few more lots to tempt your palate:

LOT 224 - Large (16g) 18ct gold gentleman's seal ring formerly the property of Charles G Baskerville, inscribed from his children (Trinity 1856-1906) along with a Victorian housekeeping and record book from the Baskerville family* Est 400-500
LOT 50 - Vintage motorised pond yacht with steerage Est 80-120
LOT 140 - £20 misprint banknote* Est 100-200
LOT 24 - Pair of Victorian ebony and hallmarked silver glove-stretchers* Est 20-30
LOT 131 - Back Garden signed L. Davenport, watercolour & ink, 1951, framed Est 300-400

The full catalogue will be printed on here tomorrow evening (and posted to everyone on our emailing list) and available in the saleroom on the day.

Something Extra Special

We have taken in some absolutely super lots for our next General Auction incl Antiques & Valuables which takes place at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich on Thursday 24th March at 2pm (public viewing from midday). But, something extra special sits at LOT 194 - a very rare 18ct gold Doctor's pocket watch (pictured) made by Bensons of London in 1934 for HRH Prince of Wales - estimate £1,800-£2,000
It's one of a number of excellent watches we have in the sale which is also well stocked with silver and gold items as well as antique jewellery. We also have some excellent pictures including a Leslie Davenport and a Julian Trevelyan limited edition print.
A full catalogue will be posted on here tomorrow evening and to everyone on our emailing list too. In the meantime, we'll post a few more pictures for your information.

Mixed Lot

Yes it's our auction this week. Yes it's on Thursday at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich at 2pm (public viewing from midday). Yes, there is still time to enter lots (any time between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday - 10am and 4pm on Wednesday). Check out http://www.barnesauctioneers.co.uk/ our new 'official' channel - now can I please get on with a bit of creative writing?

Hmm, the moment has gone - so instead, just look at this wonderful picture of my boys Stanley and Henry (the youngest two of my five children). Stanley is already a proficient dealer 'I'll eat one more mouthful of dinner and then I can have a pudding, deal?'

'No, Stanley, you must eat three more mouthfulls!'

'I eat two more mouthfulls, deal?'

'Ok, two -deal'

Henry, however, is the one that shows a genuine interest in what I do - even 'helping' me to wrap eBay parcels on Saturday.

Barnes Auctioneers is a family business after all - isn't that a pip?

Mixed Lot

Apparently, my wife is a 'milf'. That was what I was told this week by one of her best girlfriends and sitting opposite her in The Cottage on Silver Road last night I found myself thinking 'yes, she is'. Not that Beth realises she is. She is completely oblivious to the admiring glances she receives from men. It happens all the time. I have been with many many beautiful women (and some damned ugly ones too) but none have ever received the level of attention that Beth attracts. It feels kind of weird knowing that every bloke in the room wants to shag your missus but there it is - it's a burden that I will have to put up with for the rest of my life.

Beth and I were in The Cottage to celebrate Daniel's birthday - which just happens to coincide with St Patrick's Day. We had intended to eat somewhere posh but events beyond our control led us to one of Norwich's last remaining 'proper pubs'. The place was packed and an Irish band were playing. The barmaid offered us homemade Irish stew and colcannon along with a pint for £6 - and it was delicious. Compare that to my experience at Shiki (see previous post) and I'd have to say Anglo-Irish 1 Japan 0.

There is something about our relationship with the Irish. It's almost okay that they attempt to blow us up from time to time. Their zest for the simple pleasures of food and drink and music appear at first to be a reflection of their state of evolution. But in reality, it's the 'advanced' nations that could learn a thing or two - like those that build nuclear reactors on moving tectonic plates... I am certain that our evolution is finite. In eating and drinking and shitting and pissing and dancing and laughing and having sex, the Irish have it about right.

The stuff of life was very much brought home to us yesterday when we learnt of the death of one of our NCT friends. He leaves behind a young family and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Imagine having to tell a three-year old child that their father has died. How utterly dreadful. Beth and I cuddled up on the settee at home and agreed that we are a very lucky family indeed.

All of this rather distracted me from my work. Or perhaps, for a moment, I lost interest in what I do. In the pub, surrounded by people with careers and salaries, for a split second I thought 'what the fuck am I doing?'. Then I looked at my watch but didn't notice the time; I noticed that is was a fine 1972 Moeris Swiss automatic. Suddenly I was back on my path.

The Moeris (pictured), which is an official James Bond wristwatch, isn't mine, unfortunately. It's in our next sale on Thursday, 24th March at St Andrew's Hall. We're currently accepting entries for that so do please contact us if you are interested in selling your antiques and valuables. After all 'Nobody does it better'

Mixed Lot

If you are easily offended then close this page down and visit our official website at http://www.barnesauctioneers.co.uk/ Otherwise, read on...

I don't know what it was that I ate at Shiki last night but whatever it was left me with the distinct feeling that my stomach had absolutely no chance of digesting it. I am usually an advocate of Japanese food but this shit had almost certainly been prepared at the Fukushima Daiishi nuclear plant before landing on my plate on a bed of salad. Next time I'll stick to a bento box.

There was a bit of an Oriental flavour all round at The Cloisters yesterday. One of my colleagues recently invested in a load of Satsuma ware and I must confess that my initial reaction was 'She'll struggle to shift that' but in fact the stuff sold like hotcakes, mainly to one trade buyer who issued the command we all dream about 'I'll have that one and that one and that one and that one and that one...' She ended up having the kind of day that was once commonplace in our world but less so now. She even outsold Dave the Jump, which is almost unheard of down our way.

Dave the Jump is so named because in his military career he conducted over 3,000 parachute jumps, predominantly as an instructor. We have several nicknames for the various characters that come and go in The Cloisters incl:

Bill the Toe (has gout)

Bill the Cleaner (anti-foxing agent)

Bill the Vinyl (sells records)

Lenny the Bastard (don't cross him)

Tall Tony (6'7")

M'Lady (Queen of The Cloisters and shoe aficionado)

Gillian the Thong (for reasons that should be obvious)

Mike the Badge (deals in them)

Diecast Alan (deals in them)

The Lord aka The Mad Baron (our titled visitor)

Coins & Medals (guess what she sells?)

Of course, there are many more...

Most of the names are terms of endearment - there are very few people we dislike down at The Cloisters and some we love, like Val who returned to the fold this week after some time away through ill health. 'I thought you were dead!' one customer said to her...

Thousands of people have come and gone through The Cloisters - it is the longest running weekly antique fair in East Anglia after all. 'I used to have a stall in here in the 1970's' said one woman to me yesterday. Her membership of the club was affected by divorce and the need to get a 'proper job'. Others leave for their own reasons but all are welcome back - like ex-players of a football club. Ok, perhaps The Cloisters isn't quite 'The Theatre of Dreams' but it is a very special place nonetheless. It's the history that sets us apart, embedded in the medieval walls. You don't get that anywhere else.

Latest recruits, Kyle and Martin, have just stepped onto the turf and we welcome them with open arms. Good luck to them - they will need it if they are to stand the rigours of eccentricity and alcoholism necessary to maintain membership of the club...

New Website

We've decided to grow up (just a little) and to that objective have a new website http://www.barnesauctioneers.co.uk/
All future official information will be posted through the new website including sale notices and news updates.
This blog will remain in diary format - it's where you'll always get the gossip first!

Mixed Lot

Faced with a possible 'staff uprising' I decided to take matters into my own hands yesterday and kill a couple of them in cold blood. I don't think my HR friend, Sue, would approve (she's coming in to 'sort me out soon') but what other possible course of action could I have taken when faced with demands such as 'Needing to go to the toilet during the course of the day' and 'Not being hit with a stick'? Unfortunately, Daniel's sword fighting skills appeared to exceed my own and upon stabbing me (for real) in the stomach he commented 'I think you're dead mate'. Hmm, perhaps the boy King Edward VI was right after all when he sent an army to Norwich in 1549 to quell Kett's Rebellion...

Actually, my team regularly exceed the call of duty and I appreciate everything they do for me. It's because of them that we do what we do well and they proved that again yesterday as we sailed through another excellent sale. Not so many lots this time round but certainly some real quality. The Fenton Brothers tray - £880 The Namiki pen - £260 The Henry Bright drawing - £250 I could go on but our success will just bore you.

The most interesting thing we sold yesterday, however, was 'A Gentleman's Tooth'. Lot 182 aroused a great deal of interest - just who was the 'Gentleman'? Listed as 9ct gold (but almost certainly 14ct) the tooth had arrived into our saleroom the day before, fresh from defeat at the hands of a ham sandwich, apparently. That rules out Bill the Toe as everyone's prime suspect because he is a vegetarian. The tooth sold for £28 by the way - I suspect the Gentleman's dental repair will cost rather more...

Off on a tangent (one of my favourite things) but aren't the intelligentsia dull? We had a couple come in yesterday and they looked at a picture in our sale. It was 'Rubenesque' to say the least, although available at a fraction of the price of the real thing. They discussed and debated and swung for and agin it for not less than half an hour. At the death they determined that it just fell short of their requirements for the entrance hall. Lenny the Bastard and I looked at it for three seconds 'Nice Print' he said 'Great tits' I replied.

Of course, as is our practice, we ended it in The Doghouse. We are English after all. Not for us the Norman administration of procedures and practices (and census forms). We leave that to the middle-classes and they are as far removed from us as it is possible to be. They have been since 1415 when they trembled in the rear caravans at Agincourt. No doubt, the intelligentsia disapprove of our excessive consumption of alcohol. That they do means nothing to us - they know and we know that when it comes to the dirty business of selling that nobody does it better than the front ranks. That, and sword fighting.

Catalogue for Sale Tomorrow

Confused?

We are no longer able to post the auction catalogue on Blogger and have instead emailed it to everyone on our mailing list as a Word Document. If you have not got our catalogue in your email inbox it can only be for one of two reasons:

1) It has been placed into your junk mail box instead by your spam filter - check your trash/junk mail box and it will probably be in there (remember to mark as 'not spam' so the same thing doesn't happen next time)

2) You are not on our mailing list - doh! Send us an email and we will add you for next time.

Our General Auction including Antiques & Valuables is at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich tomorrow (10th March 2011) at 2pm, with public viewing from midday.

The sale includes antique quality silver, fine & vintage costume jewellery, militaria, pictures including a Henry Bright drawing, small furniture, glass & ceramics incl Moorcroft, coins, medals, stamps, records & cds, toys, and much much more. Oh - and a 'Gentleman's tooth' - more of that in the next issue of 'Mixed Lot'...

Our next General Auction including Antiques & Valuables will take place tomorrow at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. Public viewing is from midday with the sale itself starting at 2pm. We will be EMAILING a catalogue to everyone on our mailing list this evening (not posting it on here as has previously been the case). However, here are some photographs from the sale - we'll try to post a few more later (and note those previously posted).
LOT 180 - Pair of solid silver servers, fully hallmarked Birmingham 1905, B.D. Wilmot Est 80-120

LOT 82 - French Foreign Legion cap Est 30-40

LOT 17 - Autographed cricket bat - Darren Gough Est 30-40

LOT 175 - Henry Bright pencil & crayon drawing c.1860 Est 300-400

Photographs for Tomorrow's Sale

Our next General Auction including Antiques & Valuables will take place tomorrow at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. Public viewing is from midday with the sale itself starting at 2pm. We will be EMAILING a catalogue to everyone on our mailing list this evening. However, here are some photographs from the sale - we'll post a few more later (and note those previously posted). Here we have:

LOT 100 - Burleigh Ware cruet & toast rack Est 20-30

LOT 155 - 1932 bayonet (possibly French/Swiss) Est 40-60

LOT 181 - Antique blotter/tape measure Est 40-60

LOT 197 - 9ct gold Tudor gents wristwatch in original box Est 400-600

LOT 7 - Pair of Staffordshire figures A/F Est 20-30

Moorcroft Lots for Thursday's Sale

There has never been a better time to treat yourself to a piece of Moorcroft, one of the best-known and most sought-after British pottery manufacturers. Some of the earlier designs command huge figures at auction but the more reasonably priced later pieces could well represent a better investment, particularly where lines have been discontinued. Every display cabinet should have at least once example of Moorcroft and we have two super vases in our sale this Thursday:

LOT 94 - Moorcroft Pole to Pole Seals vase (now discontinued) 8.5" tall Est 160-200

LOT 188 - Moorcroft Lagoon vase (shape 152/5) - Ltd Edition no. 45 of 75 and signed to base by Philip Gibson (now retired) Est 400-500

We are still accepting entries for Thursday's auction - by appointment tomorrow (Tuesday) or anytime between 8am and 4pm on Wednesday at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich.

The sale itself takes place at St Andrew's Hall at 2pm on Thursday with public viewing from midday. Telephone 01603 304337/07810 646711 if you have any questions or drop us an email to barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com

Next Auction - Thursday 10th March 2011

Our next auction including antiques and valuables will take place on Thursday, 10th March at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. Public viewing is from midday with the sale starting at 2pm. We are accepting entries now so do contact us on 01603 304337 or 07810 646711 to arrange a convenient time. Alternatively, you can drop your entries off to us at St Andrew's Hall between 8am and 4pm on Wednesday.

In the meantime, here is a sneak preview of LOT 200 - a magnificent solid silver service tray by Fenton Brothers of Sheffield, fully hallmarked 1930, approx 1.7Kg/54 troy oz Est 600-800

Mixed Lot

There are certain people that we just don't want in our lives. Take my dentist, for example. Roel Bester at the Treetops Surgery on Pottergate is quite possibly the best dental practitioner in the world. If he were an international footballer he would be Lionel Messi. If he were an actor he would be Colin Firth. If he were an auctioneer he would most probably be me. But, although my faith in his ability is resolute, I never actually want to see him. Yesterday, however, I had to see him.

I had to see him because my tooth was a bit like the Gaddafi regime - about to crumble. Too much sugar action and not enough flossing. Too many nights stumbling into bed in a drunken stupor (and forgetting to brush my teeth). Too British - as Daniel said to me last night in The Dog House 'We're not supposed to have good teeth'

Hmm, all very well but I quite like being able to bite things. Thankfully, by some miracle of God or science or nature (take your pick) my teeth are generally quite healthy. And I am determined that they should remain so which is why I chose to drink alcohol as opposed to Coca-Cola in the pub last night. Post-dental trauma demanded a proper drink in any case. As the anaesthetic began to fade I began to feel the pain. Most of my colleagues advised paracetamol. I ignored them.

The Cloisters Fair was a bit quiet yesterday. Most of the action appeared to centre around my 'clearance table'. Every once in a while we clear the storeroom of all of the junk that has accumulated over time and sell it off in the lobby at £1 a pop. The feeding frenzy that ensued was similar to a David Attenborough documentary on survival on the African Plain. The carcass was consumed in minutes, leaving the bare bones for all to see for the rest of the day.

All of that means, of course, that I am pushed to put together more lots for our next auction (just a week away). A successful auction demands fresh lots and plenty of them. As auctioneer, I alone see into the punters' eyes as we offer-up a lot. Offer-up a box of tat that failed to sell last time round and they look about as interested as an anorexic in a pork chop. Offer-up a hallmarked silver teapot fresh out of an attic on the Earlham Road and they change. They still look disinterested, but they salivate. (Proper) dealers are like lions moving in for the kill - they will display complete disinterest in something they really want to have right up until the chase. The moment before the chase, however, they salivate. I like it when they do that.

Yes, it helps to have healthy teeth in this business. There's nothing like it, at the death of it, to know that you did it close up and personal. Visceral perhaps, but necessary. Thankfully, most of the antique dealers I know have false teeth - which gives me an edge (thanks to Roel Baster).

SALE TODAY AT THE CLOISTERS FAIR

We are clearing out our storeroom and offering everything for £1 a pop at The Cloisters Fair today.
Auction house store rooms are full of stuff - come along to St Andrew's Hall today and find a bargain!
We're also taking lots in for our next auction - so why not bring something along for us?
The Cloisters Fair takes places every Wednesday at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich between 9am and 3pm and entry is just 50p (trade buyers between 8am and 9am free entry).

Mixed Lot

Rocket Science - the Norwich Dictionary defintion being 'Something that is beyond the Pleb'

Now, call me old fashioned, but I was taught maths at school. They don't teach maths in school any more for fear of offending stupid people. That's crazy though, because stupid people are too stupid to realise that they are stupid.

Fortunately, most people are not stupid, which is why they will see through some of the outrageous 'offers' that some local auction houses have been making to vendors of late. These include everything from the promise of a night out with Megan Fox to a personal baptism with Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. No doubt driven by a desperate need to stay afloat - although I wouldn't trust most to maintain a firm grip of your heel...

Most outrageous of all, however, is the concept of 'No lotting fee' which is becoming increasingly employed as a marketing tool to persuade vendors to place items on consignment in the belief that any fees incurred will be minimal. Many auction houses like this tactic because it makes them look like they give a shit.

Perhaps some are genuine but in truth the maths just doesn't stack up. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that auction houses have a fee structure that usually includes:

1) A lotting (administrative fee) levied on each entry (typically ranging from £0 to £5)
2) A selling premium (typically ranging from 0% to 25%)
3) An insurance premium (typically 1.5%)
4) Collection fees (anything from £0 to £60 an hour)
5) Storage charges (anything from £5 a week)
6) Disposal of unsold goods fees (the charges for which are about as clear as government in the Dark Ages)
7) Statement fees (anything from £0 to £5 per sheet)
8) Electrical testing charges (anything from £1 to £5)

The list is endless and in fact I am out of breath just thinking about it all.

Which is why we like to keep things simple. We are a business and we have to make money. All vendors accept that. Our job is to make as much money for a vendor as possible and take as small a slice as possible whilst still making a profit. So, we charge:

• £1 lotting fee


• 10% inclusive selling premium

Isn't that nice and simple?

So, if you sell something through us for £100, you will receive £89

Let's do the maths for another, typical auction house, not charging a lotting fee.

£100

(£0) lotting fee

(£15) 15% selling premium

(£3) VAT

(£1.50) insurance premium

Balance to vendor - £80.50

Oh sorry, and a quick statement to let you know 'How you got on' (£2) - leaves £78.50

Oh, and you will probably have to deduct the cost of petrol to drive all the way there and back - some of those auction houses are miles away.

It's not rocket science...