JAMIE BREESE

On Antiques & Collectables

Q

I won a viewers’ competition during the 1981 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. The prize was two finals tickets, but as I was in Jersey they offered a snooker cue instead, which I took. It’s signed by the last 16 players in the contest – including Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Ray Reardon and John Virgo. It’s also signed by presenter David Vine and Sebastian Coe, who was a guest. I have the newspaper report and photograph.

Paul Sands, via email

A

This is a great tale, and perhaps the better prize. This must be a very rare item and has great provenance. Signing cues can be a little tricky – much like drumsticks – so having the official prize and the story behind it will help. It should be a £500+ item to a fan of the sport.

Q

We have a Lenzkirch 1 Million clock, passed down through family, in full working order. Could you tell me please how much it’s worth?

Lynda Glover, via email

A

My great-greatgrandfather, James Breese, was a well-regarded London clockmaker, so I know a bit about these. Lenzkirch was started in Germany in 1849 by clockmaker Eduard Hauser and organ maker Ignaz Schopperle. Yours appears to be a burr walnut and gilt bronze mounted bracket variety, with a lovely dial. It is typical of the late 1890s – similar Lenzkirchs in working order would be sold by a good dealer today for £1,000 to £1,400.

Q

I have a chair designed by Marcel Breuer called the B3. It’s been in my family for a couple of generations. It is leather on a tubular steel frame. Can you tell me more?

Roger Birt, West London

A

The B3 is a timeless design that’s both complicated and simple. Made originally for the Bauhaus offices, the rarest tend to be from before the war, produced by Thonet. The German one was covered in iron yarn. You can buy reproductions new from £250. Originals with strong, waxed-cotton thread fetch £30,000+.

Visit me at: facebook.com/jamiebreesetv email me: j.breese@sundaymirror.co.uk Jamie cannot respond to all letters personally

GOOD TIME clock