STAFFORDSHIRE – A THRIVING INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE FOR COLLECTORS
(BY ADRIAN RATHBONE)
Staffordshire has made its’ mark in the auction world as it hosts important International auctions of collectors items. The auction held most recently by Richard Winterton Fine Art Auctioneers in Burton, consisted of an eclectic range of specially selected collectors items from Staffordshire private clients. The sale was a live sale meaning that buyers all over the world can bid for items in which they are interested in ‘real time’. They can participate in the auction, to such an extent that they can hear the auctioneer via a computer and bid as if they were in the room. Consequently, many of the Lots sold will not remain in the UK, but will be despatched to collectors all over the world. This is highly advantageous for the vendor, who naturally wants to achieve the highest possible prices for their goods by reaching the widest possible specialist audience. Here are some of the highlights from the auction.
Lot 72 (see right), a Hong Kong Plague medal was discovered on one of the valuation days. The vendor had no idea of the value, but it was immediately recognised as a very desirable medal. After investigation, it was one of only 300 awarded to men of the Shropshire Light Infantry in 1894. It was awarded for personnel who rendered assistance when the Crown Colony was struck by a severe epidemic of bubonic plague. It was especially nice to have an original photograph of the recipient Private J. Kynaston. Estimated to fetch £600-800, the gavel eventually fell to the delighted bidder at £900.
Following on from the medal section, antique firearms were also offered. Lot 129, a pair of nineteenth century French percussion cap pistols sold for £650 and Lot 130, an Eastern flintlock blunderbuss at £2,100.
Cigarette and trade card collecting really took off in the 1930’s but came to abrupt an with the war. The sheer variety and fascination with cigarette cards from an historical point of view have made them very collectable today. The sale included over fifty Lots from a private collection which totalled over £6,000. Lot 177, a set of sixteen Topical Times coloured cards of 1930’s footballers brought £40.
We are all aware of the extremely popular Lord of the Rings blockbuster films, but it is not everyday that an original early copy of one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books appears in the saleroom. Just such an occasion happened when Lot 229, a 1937 fist edition was discovered amongst a large consignment of books from a Stafford private library. Although a second impression of the first edition and lacking the dust jacket, it still sold for £900.
The ongoing interest in early nostalgic toys is well established, illustrated with Lot 306, a boxed Crescent Toys diecast ‘Dan Dare’ set fetching £350.
Valuations of all jewellery, antiques and collectors items are held at our two salerooms and valuation offices throughout Staffordshire. Contact us for further details on this service: Richard Winterton Fine Art Auctioneers, www.richardwinterton.co.uk Tel 01283 511224 or 01543 251081, Email lichfield@richardwinterton.co.uk |
