A privileged preview

Stepping into the Belgravia Auction Rooms is like entering a film set, mystery department store, library, gallery and past and present time capsules… all in one.

It is a magnet for serious collectors, restorers, historians and hobbyists; sheer heaven for everyone from decorators and designers looking for statement pieces, to enthusiasts wanting to amass articles relating to anything from work and education to leisure and entertainment.

There are the tools we used, curious decorative objects, books, musical instruments and toys. Where else would you find the lovable Laurel and Hardy comedy duo in the shape of two small, squeaky toys, full of joy and in perfect condition?

On so many levels the items featured in Belgravia’s next specialist collectors’ sale are appealing. You’ll discover endless examples of social history in say, the wonderful flat irons powered by hot water, coal, early electricity supplies and even gas, which would fit so well in any style of kitchen on the strength of their look and past usefulness.

The joy of such a sale for anyone with an accumulative interest in certain objects and eras is the chance of finding the one thing you've been looking for – the missing part of a set or an addition to make your collection even more of a prize. Discovering documents, books, greeting cards from your own 'past’ lifetime, or even centuries before, has been known to kick start an interest that soon becomes a lifelong passion.

Film and advertising posters, programmes, tickets, photos of events both private and of historic importance are so evocative that it's easy to see why enthusiasts snap them up. Archive material on everything from medicine to carnival, politics to the military can be found to add just a bit more to a fascinating and revealing collection.

Greetings cards are attractive to collect for their charm and artistic appeal, especially as e-cards are rapidly taking their place. Postcards, sent in previous centuries or even decades, are all the more worth keeping since Instagrams have almost replaced them now. Such cards cover thousands of places, themes, subjects and sentiments. They look amazing and some can be very valuable.

Specialist collectors know the wisdom of browsing meticulously through an auction room and the thrill of finding and bidding for certain lots. But anyone attracted by the Belgravia’s extraordinary window displays, wonderfully tempting shelves, cupboards and tables will find it impossible not to fall for something. Take all the time you need to explore and examine not just the obvious items but all the nooks and crannies to find that certain secret treasure.

It may be a terracotta beehive; beautifully shaded and textured and perfect for a garden or terrace. Certainly, the pair of string puppet horses gorgeously painted and with a look of Asia about them, will be spotted by not just puppet collectors but someone with the imagination to see them hanging on a wall or from a stone archway at home. Inviting albums full of stamps, wonderful photographs, phonographs, vinyl records, walking sticks, carpets, pictures, prints; they are all there and so much more.

But there’s no fear of becoming the owner of a vast piece of taxidermy by accidentally catching the auctioneer’s attention as he calls for an advance on a bid. He will always confirm if there is any doubt whether someone is bidding or not.

And nothing can match the joy of making a successful bid when, whether as part of a collection or as a stand-alone piece, something you really want actually becomes yours.