Western Morning News (Saturday)
Collectables, books and maps to enjoy
DAVID Lay Auctions in Penzance has become fantastically busy during the last 18 months and consequently its auction calendar has increased exponentially.
It’s about to hold two timed auctions concurrently, a Collectables Sale of coins, medals, toys and militaria, etc, which will be the largest collectables sale (at 1000 lots) held by Lays and also a Books, Maps & Manuscripts sale of over 600 lots.
The sales can both be viewed in person but will be sold online only in timed auctions. Timed auctions do not have an auctioneer calling bids, but they can still be very exciting.
Each lot can be bid on for a defined time period (displayed on the lot) and whoever has submitted the highest bid during this time, wins the lot, provided the bid exceeds the reserve price.
At 2pm on October 14, lot 1 of the Collectables will close, followed by each consecutive lot every 30 seconds. If someone bids in the last minute of a lot closing, the time is extended, in order to prevent ‘sniping’. Books, Manuscripts & Maps starts closing at 2pm on October 15.
One of the highlights of the collectables is a remarkable single-owner coin collection of over 450 lots, which contains many good gold sovereigns and shield-back guineas but also early hammered Tudor coins, gold coins from Edward III and James I period and also rare error coins. It is wonderful to hold these ancient historical coins and think of the many hands they have passed through.
The star of the coin section is a rare Victorian Gothic Crown, the Holy Grail of coin collecting. This beautiful coin was minted in 1847, only 8000 in total were issued and it is in lovely condition.
There are some marvellous collections of police medals, cap badges and buttons in the militaria section as well as good boxed mint toys and cars. It is an excellent sale for enthusiasts of all sorts of collectors items.
The Books Maps and Manuscripts sale which is running alongside the collectables sale contains the private library of the botanist Dr Rob Senior.
Dr Senior arrived in West Cornwall from his native Yorkshire in the early 1960’s where he took up his vocation as a young GP and served the local community for 40 years.
At the age of 12, Rob bought a book on cacti. It was his first book, and established the twin passions of his life, books and plants. His library is a fabulous, eclectic collection of books, largely on plants and horticulture, but also nature and many other subjects, all brought together by a man with a curious and inquisitive mind.
Highlights include a remarkable range of good early botanical and herbal books, also a complete run of ‘The New Naturalist’ many of which are firsts and includes rare editions.
The sale also includes some beautifully illustrated children’s books (Kay Nielsen) and also other early, rare children’s books.
The two sales are now live to view and bid on, online at www.davidlay. co.uk. You can also book a slot to view these fascinating sales in person at its Penzance saleroom, via the website or call 01736 361414.