Auctions

As if often said before I'm constantly surprised at the things that turn up at auctions, not necessarily things that are incredibly rare, but things that are surprising for someone to be selling. Take Cameo Auctioneers in Midgham in Berkshire. On Tuesday 2 February they have a rock and pop sale that includes a jacket worn by Bob Dylan in the Band's film, 'The Last Waltz', it's estimated to fetch between £5,000 and £6,000. There's also a John Lennon LP, 'Double Fantasy' from 1980 signed by both John and Yoko (estimate £6-800). It all goes to show that the reasons why people sell things are probably many and various!

I had a very busy day today that seemed to feel much busier after my journey into Canary Wharf on the tube turned into a bit of a nightmare. First the tube broke down and then because the Docklands Light Railway is out of action I had to change at London Bridge because the escalator at Bank Station was out of order. It was not just me changing at London Bridge, so was everyone else!

As a result of my travel troubles I got a chance to read the newspaper and spotted a lovely story about a couple who had a vase worth £500,000 that they had been using as an umbrella stand. According to Guy Schwinge, of Dukes auctioneers in Dorchester the couple had been given the vase as a present 50 years ago. The 18th-century vase, which may even have been owned by Florence Nightingale, was found in the spare room of their home. The 18.5 inch blue and white piece is an imperial vase and almost certainly made for the Emperor Qianlong in about 1740. There is some slight damage, and even a splash f emulsion paint, without the damage it may have fetched £1million.

It will be auctioned at Duke's on February 11

Another sale at Bonhams, although this one is not until 28 April. They are selling the entire stock, amounting to around 800 lots, of antique dealer Sampson and Horne who are to close after trading for 40 years.

The Mayfair-based company is expecting to realise around £1 milion and are closing due to the ill health of the company's founder Jonathan Horne. The sale will feature 17th and 18th century British pottery, country furniture, decorative and unusual period items, needlework and paintings.  John Sandon, who directs Bonhams British ceramics department, has known Jonathan Horne, and his late business partner Alistair Sampson, as customers and friends for more than three decades. “During that time no one has done more than Jonathan and Alistair to encourage the study and collecting of early British pottery and English country furniture. They only bought interesting, rare and special pieces and, as a result, this sale presents a remarkable opportunity. Many wonderful objects will be offered with sensible estimates to encourage bidding and inspire a new generation of pottery collectors. This will be the legacy of Sampson and Horne.”

Next Wednesday 20 January Bonhams has this street sign going under the hammer at their Gentleman's Library Sale. The 42 inch long sign dating from the 19th Century has an estimate of between £4,000 to £6,000

On Thursday 14 January Cameo Auctioneers & Valuers Kin, Midgham, Reading, Berkshire has a sale of film posters. It's online bidding only. There's more details HERE. Among the posters is this. Breakfast at Tiffany's poster that was published in limited numbers for the Bfi re release in 2001 for the 40th anniversary.