Animal Artists

I once sold an oil painting by James Stark and pencil drawings by Henry Moore.  Some of the biggest names in the art world have passed through the doors of Barnes Auctioneers over the years and no doubt will continue to do so (check out, by the way, the Margaret Morris painting in our forthcoming sale https://sites.google.com/site/barnesauctioneersnorwich/latest-news ).  But, I have never (and never expected) to offer for sale at auction an original watercolour by a penguin.
Yes, that's Dimi the Penguin (above), one of the stars at the Hunstanton Sea Life Centre with his creation.  And what a beautiful picture it is too - very Andy Warhol.
The idea is to raise much needed funds for the charity and we hope that our animal-loving bidders will be out in force when the painting is sold at our auction on Sunday.

LOT 1 - Original watercolour by Dimi the Humboldt Penguin Est £100-£150

Important Collection of Silk Cigarette Cards

Barnes Auctioneers has been instructed by a private client to sell one of the largest collections of uncut silk cigarette cards to come onto the market in recent years. 
The Sunday Auction at Roxley Hall in Norwich on 4th November will see the entire collection offered as part of our twice-month antiques and valuables sale. 
Anyone interested in receiving a catalogue in advance of the sale should contact us on 01603 304337 or email barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com

Hammered Coins and Sugar Beet

Hammered coins and sugar beet are not obviously related subjects but in fact they have one thing in common - both are adundant in the fertile soils of East Anglia. 
At our valuation day in Thetford last Friday I met a man who used to work at a well-known local sugar processing factory.  Throughout his employment he worked on the line where the sugar beet is washed prior to processing.  As the clumps of mud were removed they sometimes exposed hammered coins and other treasures lost over hundreds of years.  He brought some of the coins to show me.  I suspect they will end up in our next auction on the 4th November...
There really is not much to report from yesterday's sale.  It was a good solid performance all round.  We turned a (hammered, no doubt) coin as we say in the trade.  It seems like our gamble to move to Roxley Hall from St Andrew's Hall has paid off. 
Our new FREE valuation and collection service within Norwich is up and running.  If you have lots for the auction on the 4th November simply call 01603 304337 and arrange an appointment for us to visit.  It's as simple as that.

The Sunday Auction 21st October 2012

The Sunday Auction takes place at Roxley Hall in Norwich tomorrow, Sunday 21st October 2012 at 2pm.

We will be accepting entries throughout the morning 8am-midday at Roxley Hall with public viewing from midday.  The sale itself starts at 2pm.

Roxley Hall is situated on Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew - NR7 0QZ in your sat navs.

We have our usual selection of lots including illustated (above)

LOT 100 - large late 19th Century bronze after J de Bologne of the Roman God, Mercury, signed and with foundry mark to base Est £600-800
LOT 119 - Swiss Moneville hand-crank music box with Chrsitmas theme and in working condition c.1890 £80-120
LOT 144 - 'The World's First' incl original encapsulated Penny Black stamp Est £40-60
LOT 175 - Vintage cigarette box with Japanese decoation, Mount Fuji to the background, stamped 'Sterling' Est £40-60
LOT 180 - Two WW1 medals, with ribbons, Pte H W Rudge ASC Est £20-30
LOT 181 - 1914-1918 medal, with ribbon, PteF J Tuck MGC Est £10-20

1930's Sowerby Lemonade Jug

This 1930's uranium green pressed glass lemonade jug epitomises the Art Deco period - elegant, functional, and modern. 

Almost certainly by the great English glassmaking family, Sowerby of Gateshead, it would not look out of place in the modern home.  It is this versatility that makes Art Deco glass so collectable - it displays well, but actually, why not use it?

Uranium glass is simply glass that has uranium added to the mix before melting, the result being beautiful hues of yellow and green (depending on the state of oxidation).  Under an ultra-violet light, uranium glass fluoresces making identification relatively simple. 

I am often asked whether or not uranium glass is safe.  There have been cases where a Geiger counter has measured unexpectedly high levels of radiation in uranium glass but most pieces are actually considered harmless to humans. 

Displayed correctly it can bring pleasure to those who appreciate it and represents an excellent investment opportunity - glass is massively undervalued at the moment.

That said, I would use it. 

LOT 50 - 1930's Art Deco uranium green pressed glass lemonade jug, probably Sowerby Est £20-30

The Sunday Auction at Roxley Hall - 21st October 2012 2pm  (public viewing from midday)

Anyone For Cards?

LOT 200 - Victorian miniature playing cards box in hallmarked silver (Birmingham, 1867) with two original and complete sets of playing cards Est £140-160

This beautiful item will be available at our next sale, The Sunday Auction, on 21st October at Roxley Hall on Yarmouth Road in Norwich.  Public viewing starts at midday with kick-off at 2pm.

We are currently accepting entries so do give us a call to make an appointment.

Where are we?

It's been causing some confusion - just where is Roxley Hall, our new saleroom?

Roxley Hall is on the Yarmouth Road - head out of the city and it is just past the Thunder Lane traffic lights on the right.  The postcode, if you want to punch it into your satnav or iPhone Maps, is NR7 0QZ.

We moved from St Andrew's Hall earlier in the year and it has proven to be the right decision.  At Roxley Hall we have free parking (and plenty of it too - not just with the Hall but roadside too).  We also have our own kitchen to serve refreshments on saledays.  The lighting is so much better and we have extra rooms for private viewings, accounts, etc.  Most of all, our new landlord, Thorpe St Andrew Town Council are so helpful and the building is properly maintained.

So, come along to see us at our next sale on the 21st October - The Sunday Auction - public viewing from midday with the sale starting at 2pm.

Review of the week

Naturally, the Monday after a sale is not the most productive.  That's because putting on an auction takes a huge amount of effort.  There is an awful lot that goes on 'behind the scenes'.  The Sunday Auction was a huge success yesterday but it did not just happen by magic.

The build-up to yesterday's sale was interesting to say the least.  Take, for example, our Valuation Day in Sheringham on Saturday.  Accommodated in a condemned building (the community centre on Cromer Road - about to be pulled down to make way for a ubiquitous TESCO, apparently) with only large bluebottles for company, Jo and I were compelled to engage in small talk for most of the day.  We did see a few people but to be honest the turnout was disappointing. 
"You haven't advertised it" admonished one old boy.
"How did you hear about us then?" I asked.
"Well, I got a leaflet with my newspaper!"

Then there was the expectation to manage and if there is one thing a jobbing auctioneer despises it is the 'Miller's Guide'.  In this instance, the subject of debate was a 1941 half-crown coin.
"What would you value that at?" asked one old dear (sorry, but everyone in Sheringham is old).
"I am sorry to say, my darling, not very much" I advised.
"What would you say?"
"About £3.50"
"Oh no" she said, shaking her head at me and adopting a tone of utmost suspicion "I was told that coin is worth one hundred pounds."
Despite my assurances, she would not accept that the coin (debased silver, I might add) was worth about the price of a pint. 
"I know it is worth one hundred pounds because it is in the Miller's Guide!"
Of course it is in the Miller's Guide.  At least a half-crown dated 1820 is in the Miller's Guide (just 121 years earlier than the one under scrutiny). 
She changed tack "I was also told that this particular coin is rare because not many were made in that year."
That was much more plausible.  The knowing twinkle in her eye and repeated insistence was sufficient for me to concede that possible.  But, with my reference books back at the office (and no internet connection) I had no way of proving I was right.  So, we gave her a receipt and took it in on consignment.  Two hours later I was on the phone to her to confirm what I had actually known all along - that the coin was worth about £3.50.
"Thank you, dear" she said.
And that was that. 

Our sale at Roxley Hall yesterday was very busy.  Linda made a lot of teas and coffees.  She sold lots of sausage rolls and cakes.  Alison coped brilliantly with the queues of people waiting to pay us for the many wonderful things we sold them.  Oh, and I took a bid from a dog.  I guess most people came for the guns and the gold and the girls.  Some people come along to auctions just to enjoy the atmosphere.  We want The Sunday Auction to be an enjoyable social occasion just as much as a place to buy and sell things.

Our little team has evolved over the years.  Things have changed.  We actually are quite good these days.  Afterwards it was time to relax over a few beers and a curry.  Some things never change.

Oh, and 'Lucky Ted' (pictured).  He is our new mascot.  He's doing a great job.

The Sunday Auction - 7th October 2012

 

So you want guns?

The Sunday Auction will take place at Roxley Hall in Norwich this weekend and we have our usual mix of antiques, collectables and valuables including a good selection of antique firearms and related items.

All of the antique firearms we are selling have been checked by experts who have confirmed that they are genuine antiques.  This means that we are able to sell them legally 'off ticket' - ie a firearms certificate is not required to buy, sell, or own one of these guns. 

Posted here are five examples of what we have on offer

LOT 300 - English single barrell percussion 10-bore shotgun by J. Purdey c.1830 with platinum safety plug and line to breech, octagonal to round twist barrell, half-stocked with iron mounts

LOT 286 - Double-barrelled 12-bore sporting gun, 29" Damascus barrells, vented platinum safety plugs to breech, best border and scroll engraving, signed Thomas Jackson of Edward Street (London) amidst game birds, c.1830, with original ramrod, iron mounts retaining some original colour and in original brass-bound mahogany case lined with green felt and maker's label

LOT 285 - Double-trigger Tranter 54-bore percussion revolver in an antique case, relined

LOT 278 - Leather cartridge case, John White of Woodbridge c.1870 (key with porter)

LOT 268 - Flintlock travelling pistol by Durs Egg with 6" barrell approx 18-bore, with brass mounts c.1780


Please email us at barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com for more information