FAB Launch Today

FAB, a new service provided by Barnes Auctioneers, launches today.

Congratulations to Mike Bristow for correctly guessing that FAB stands for Fairs and Auctions Bulletin. He has won £50 which may be spent at The Cloisters antique and collectables fair during September.

FAB is an e-bulletin delivered to your inbox on a weekly basis. It will contain details of all the antique fairs, car boot sales, fleamarkets, auctions, etc that are taking place during the week in our area as an aid to planning your diary.

FAB will also offer other services including networking opportunities for those working within the business, special offers and promotions, news and information, etc.

FAB will also contain a classifieds section enabling you to promote your business, sell your stuff, or make announcements.

If you would like to subscribe or to know more about FAB, then simply email f_a_b@btinternet.com

Mixed Lot

One feature of any decent auction is social diversity and inclusion. Lot 190, the hallmarked silver box, is just as likely to be bought by someone living in a terraced house as someone living in a mansion. Ok, so the 8ft tall Edwardian mahogany bookcase might fit a little easier in the mansion, but antiques and collectables appeal to a wide variety of people and it's this aspect of our business that appeals to me - money is money is money and it doesn't matter to me who hands it over.
There is a mix of experience too. Consider the punter who offered me £150 for a table recently. The table hadn't met it's reserve at the previous auction (the reserve was £100). The vendor instructed me to sell it post-sale for whatever I could get. "Just make me a reasonable offer" I said to the potential buyer. "£150?" he said. "That's more than the reserve" I advised, having expected him to say £80. "I know!" he exclaimed, almost offended that I had cautioned his tactic. "Sold" I said and the buyer left with a big grin on his face, convinced that he had acquired a bargain.
There are bargains to be had at an auction too. Out-of-town superstores will sell you a three-piece leather suite for many hundreds if not thousands of pounds. You could buy a second-hand one in almost as good condition for a fraction of the price. And no one would know any different.
Entries for our next auction on 10th September are progressing well. We still need more lots so do contact us on 01603 304337 or barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com if you have stuff you want to sell. We accept entries right up until 6pm on Wednesday, 9th September.
You're running out of time if you are attempting to guess what FAB stands for. No one has guessed correctly so far. Perhaps we should play hangman? Fa--- and A------ B----t--
The Cloisters Fair was a little quiet yesterday - although most stallholders appeared to have a good to reasonable day. August is usually slow - the beach, picnics in the local park, holidays abroad: they are the natural activities of summer. September should see a return to normal, although nothing is normal in our business.

FAB Clue 3

This is Clue 3 - FAB is coming, but what does it stand for? A hint - FAB = F and A B

FAB Clue 2

FAB Clue 1

FAB to be launched during August 2009

FAB will be launched during August 2009 by Barnes Auctioneers. But just what is it? Many of us remember the iconic Thunderbirds television series produced in the 1960's, marionette stars such as Jeff Tracey, Virgil, Brains, and not forgetting Lady Penelope. Nor forgetting the machines either, like Thunderbirds 1 and 2 - and Tracey Island of course!

FAB isn't a Thunderbirds re-make, nor is it anything to do with puppets. It is just as exciting though - and it will be here soon.

1st Edition Harry Potter in Book Auction Tomorrow

It's our Specialist Book Auction at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich tomorrow and we have some super lots to interest you, including a 1st Edition, 1st printing, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, number sequence 10987654321. It's attracted quite a bit of media interest, so listen in to the radio and check the newspapers for more information.

If you would like a catalogue for tomorrow's sale, just email us barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com and we will send you one. The sale starts at 9am and finishes at 2pm. It's a written-bid auction so you can come at any point between those times and leave your bid. Payment is by cash or cheque only and buyer's premium is 10%.

98% of lots sell at July General Auction

It was quite a record for all concerned at Barnes Auctioneers last week when 98% of lots sold at our General Auction on Thursday. Everything from a Persian carpet to a beautiful pair of mother-of-pearl opera glasses, an Edwardian inlaid mahogany bed to a box of DVDs - all sold. Our next General Auction is on Thursday, 13th of August and we are already accepting entries.

In the meantime, we are preparing for our specialist book auction on Thursday, 23rd July. We are accepting entries up to and including Saturday, 18th July - so do contact us to discuss your books.

Tomorrow is The Cloisters Fair at St Andrew's Hall - make sure you pop in to say hello.

Auction News - July 2009

Our next General Auction is on Thursday, 9th July at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. We have pushed the viewing and start times back by an hour (to midday and 2pm respectively) so please do take note of this.

We will be accepting lots for the auction throughout tomorrow at The Cloisters Fair (also at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich) and sending out a catalogue by email on Wednesday evening so please do contact us if you are not already on our emailing list.

Lots entered so far include:

1. Original oil painting by Bridget Parsons (shown)

2. Diamond (approx 1 carat) and platinum ring (shown)

3. Black and white diamond and 9ct gold tennis bracelet

4. Vintage clothing

5. Vintage handbags

6. Vintage shoes

7. Poole pottery

8. Georgian walnut chest of drawers (restored)

9. 19thC. child's chair (shown)

10. 19thC. rocker

11. 18thC. Winsor chair

12. Set of 4 x Edwardian chairs

13. Art Deco display case

14. Bureau

15. Lacquered magazine rack

16. Occasional table

17. Antique glass panes

18. Selection of vinyl records

19. Boxes of mixed books

20. Old bottles in two trays (shown)

21. Collection of matchbox labels

22. Vintage cameras

23. Fur coat

24. Sheet music

25. Framed tapestry of Norwich Cathedral

26. Dolls House

27. Various stamp albums

28. Collectable pipes

29. Early 20thC. bronze of a leopard

30. Mixed lot of shells

31. Carltonware dish

32. 19thC. oil Norwich School

33. French silver sugar spoon (shown)

34. Selection of silver flatware (English Hallmarked)

35. Mother-of-Pearl opera glasses

36. Art Deco clock

37. Silver sugar shaker (Hallmarked)

38. 2 x pictures by Charles Francis (Suffolk)

39. Various postcard albums

40. Box of collectable spoons

41. Box of mixed coins

42. Box of mixed bottle openers and beer mats

We are expecting around 300 lots in total

Please do contact us on 01603 304337/07771 535562 for more information.

Barnes Auctioneers Announce Pre-Sale Days

Barnes Auctioneers announce that from June 2009 we will host monthly Pre-Sale Days at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. The Pre-Sale Days will support the monthly General Auction by providing a formal opportunity for our customers to engage with us prior to the Sale. Vendors will be able to enter their lots into the forthcoming General Auction. They will also benefit from free valuations and advice about the selling process. Buyers will be able to view highlighted lots from the forthcoming General Auction. There will also be an interesting mix of antiques and collectables for sale on the day so do pop in to see what we have to offer.

The first Pre-Sale Day will take place on Saturday, 6th June between 8am and 6pm, and replace The Cloisters Fair due to be held on that day. The Cloisters Fair will, until further notice, stall on just one Saturday a month from June 2009, in order to accommodate the Pre-Sale Days, in addition to every Wednesday. Our revised dates for June 2009 are as follows:

1. Wed 3rd June - The Cloisters Fair

2. Sat 6th June - Pre-Sale Day

3. Wed 10th June - tba*

4. Wed 17th June - The Cloisters Fair

5. Thurs 18th June - General Auction

6. Sat 20th June - The Cloisters Fair

7. Wed 24th June - The Cloisters Fair

The Pre-Sale Days are yet another sign of our commitment to providing customers with a bespoke and personal service. We hope to see you at St Andrew's Hall soon.

*Please note that The Cloisters Fair will not stall on Wednesday, 10th June as St Andrew's Hall is not available to us. We are exploring other venues/options and will make an announcement soon.

Sale Report May 2009

Last Thursday's General Auction demonstrated that Barnes Auctioneers is able to offer the right balance of ensuring that our sellers achieve excellent results whilst at the same time making sure that our buyers manage to pick up a bargain or two.

Let's start with the sellers: how about a postcard album with no reserve, expected to sell for between £60 and £80, achieving £390? Or a set of four post-war Suffolk Regiment medals making £280 when the vendor was expecting little more than £50? But as always, it's the less obvious sales that clock up a decent return for the sellers, like the painted coffee table (lot 152) that sold for £48 with a reserve of just £12.

Buyers left with a smile on their face too - how about a job lot of glass including two Georgian rummers for £5? Or a tribal spear for £1. Or an antique Kodak camera for £18?

Our General Sales, which incorporate antiques, books, collectables, furniture, jewellery, pictures, and much much more, are going from strength to strength and we are already looking forward to our next auction on Thursday, 18th June. The observant amongst you will instantly realise that to be the third Thursday of the month (usually our auction is held on the second Thursday of the month) but we have had to change this time round only because St Andrew's Hall is not available to us on the previous week.

Business as usual tomorrow at The Cloisters Fair. We will be offering some unsold lots from Thursday, and paying out for those sellers who supported us during May. So do pop along to St Andrew's Hall in Norwich between 8am and 3pm to see us.

Auction News

Barnes Auctioneers will be offering a wide selection of antiques, books, collectables, furniture, jewellery, pictures, etc for sale at our General Auction on Thursday, 14th May 2009. These include:

Victorian cut-glass inkwell with enamel top and quill rests - Est £80-120 (pict)

Large collection of Lone Star Locos 000 Gauge incl "push-along" and electric series, accessories, etc - Est £400-500 (note, photograph shows only a small part of the collection)

PC album containing approx 180 postcards incl pre-WW1 military - Est £60-80

2 x lots of approx 100 watches a/f (200 total) - Est £40-60

Large collection of coins incl silver - Est £100-120

Bronze of a cherub signed A Moreau - Est £80-120

Percussion-cap rifle c.1840 with armoury markings - Est £250-300 (pict)

Original Irish landscape painting by Sean O'Connor - Est £300-400 (pict)

Job lot of paperweights incl Caithness - Est £30-40

Pair of antlers Est £20-30

Antique corner cupboard £40-60 (pict)

We accept entries up to and including the morning of the Sale so do contact us to discuss your lots - 01603 304337 - 07917 654721 - barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com

May 2009 General Auction

Our May General Auction takes place this coming Thursday 14th at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich and, as always, we have a good selection of antiques, books, collectables, furniture, jewellery, pictures, etc, for sale.

The General Auction starts at 1pm with viewing from 11am on the morning of the Sale. Selected lots will also be available for viewing on Wednesday 13th at The Cloisters Fair, also at St Andrew's Hall, between 9am and 6pm.

Please note the summary of our revised Terms of Business below (do contact us for a full copy if required):

1. All entries subject to a lotting fee of £1

2. All sales subject to buying and selling premium of 10% incl

3. All lots to be cleared on the day of the sale unless agreed otherwise with the Auctioneer in advance. If not collected within 30 days, lots may be disposed of or sold to cover storage costs at £3 per day.

4. All lots to be paid for on the day of the sale in cash unless agreed otherwise with the Auctioneer in advance

5. All descriptions are for guidance only and are not legally binding on the House

6. Written and House bids are referred to as 'On the Book' during the course of the Sale - please contact us in advance if you would like to leave bids on certain lots

Gary Barnes

Barnes Auctioneers

73 Yarmouth Road

Norwich NR7 0AA

01603 304337

07917 654721

barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com

Gary Barnes on Bargain Hunt

Gary Barnes of Barnes Auctioneers confessed "Yes, it was me on Bargain Hunt" after friends and colleagues called for confirmation. Gary and his friend, Imogen, bought their items at the Festival of Antiques in Peterborough before selling them at Golding Young of Grantham. With the assistance of expert, Anita Manning, they powered to a famous...defeat at the hands of Peter and Carol Batt from Thetford. "We had an enjoyable time filming with the BBC" said Gary who went on to admit that the better team won on the day.

We have our own auction next week, on Thursday 12th March and are still accepting entries so do contact us to discuss your particular requirements on 01603 304337 or 07917 654721 or email us at barnesauctioneers@btinternet.com