AUCTION HOUSES
Every week at auction houses up and down the country, a varied host of collectables are put up for sale at general and specialist events, offering everything from top-end treasures to more modest items. David Brown picks a selection of recent gems that ha
LOT 312 John Nicolson’s – An Auction of Antiquarian & Secondhand Books, 23 January (johnnicholsons.com)
A fascinating collection of signed books and other items relating to the late poet laureate Sir John Betjeman appeared in
John Nicholson’s January book sale. The collection was from cinematographer John
Mcglashan, who died aged 86 in 2021, well known for his work on arts programme Monitor, plus series such as Porridge and Doctor Who. Not only was this a good cross-section of
Sir John’s work, it came with some good inscriptions and marginalia. For example, the copy of Collins Guide to English Parish Churches, edited by Sir John, has a 1972-dated inscription that reads “on a hot July day”, while inside, a stain is noted as “gin spilt by John Betjeman… Waddesdon 6/7/72”. Also included was one of Sir John’s LP records Betjeman’s Banana Blush, 1974, on the Charisma label (CAS 1086) that is marked on his cover picture “Oh that I had more hair” with arrows pointing to his forehead. The collection was estimated at £300-500.
LOT 1 Golding Young Two-day Lincoln Collective Sale, 21-22 February (goldingyoung.com)
Golding Young’s Two-day Lincoln Collective Sale in February got off to a great start with a highly collectable poster from the punk rock era. Listed as “After Jamie Read (1947-2013)”, the Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols advertising poster on a yellow backing with black and white print measured 151cm x 91cm. The poster was believed to have come from the Sex Pistols’ appearance at Leeds Polytechnic on 6 December 1976 (some of the other shows on this tour were cancelled due to controversy). Auctioneer Colin Young, familiar from TV programmes such as Bargain Hunt – and a fan of punk music – is pictured with the poster. Many items from this period may have seemed disposable back then, but time – as they say – will show the wiser.
SOLD FOR £800
LOT 1145 Lacy Scott & Knight – Toys & Models, 23 February (lskauctioncentre.co.uk)
The first selection from a collection of high quality and rare models from an anonymous vendor was offered at LSK’S February Toys & Models sale featuring Dinky Toys, Britains, Spot-on and Continental Diecast. Included were many pre-war Dinky delivery vans, plus wellpresented Corgi Toys sets including The All Winners and Carrimore
Car Transporter gift set. In addition to the model vehicles, the sale also presented rare robots such as the boxed battery-operated TN Nomura Batman figure in well-looked after working condition. The second part of this sought-after collection will be sold at the next LSK Toys & Collectors Models auction to be held on 12 April.
LOT 415 Transport Auctions of London – A Sale of Underground, Railwayana, Bus, Tram & Trolleybus Collectables & Memorabilia, 24 February (transportauctionslondon.com)
As always there was a great variety of transport-related items on offer in the first TAL auction of
2024 including collectables relating to buses, trams, railways – underground and overground – plus some fascinating miscellaneous pieces that these sales are well known for. If you have room for just a piece of a Routemaster bus, then this was the auction for you. Many collection lots made very good prices, especially some Great Western Railway silverware. The GWR was also well known for its promotional jigsaw series and a large collection of these was included in the February sale – around 60 in total, complete and with their original boxes. The presale estimate was £180-220, which proved very modest. The next TAL auction is scheduled for Saturday 29 June.
LOTS TBA Charterhouse Auctioneers Ltd – Automobilia Auction, 3 April (charterhouse-auction.com)
Among the lots consigned for Charterhouse’s April sale of automobilia is a complete collection of items from a barn in rural Devon that has been amassed over a period of more than 30 years. Ranging from vintage car superchargers to an enamel sign from the 1920s onwards, items are estimated to sell from £50 to £1,000+. Auctioneer Richard Bromell (pictured with a rare Aeroshell enamel sign valued at £800-1,200) says of the vendor: “The collection has been in his Devon barn for years but it is time to let new owners enjoy them.”
When you are placing your bid(s) please be sure about what you are bidding for. Remember to take into account that on top of the hammer price, you will have to pay a buyer’s premium (usually with VAT payable on the premium). Also, allow for post and packing with remote bidding.