August & Early September Auction Review with Tim Weeks
It certainly feels as though we have had a sudden change in the seasons and Autumn is most definitely here. In previous years I have been sad to say goodbye to summer, but after the stifling heat we are definitely ready to start a new chapter, and I feel really excited about the last quarter of the year. Autumn and winter always brings a lively and dynamic time for our auctions, and we have some great collections waiting to help us finish off the year on a high.
We kicked off September with a two-day toy auction followed by an Antiques and Collectables Sale featuring our usual wide selection of items. One of my favourites was lot 130, which was a lovely early 20th Century Rowntree’s enamel sign. The market for enamel signs has been strong for years and is showing no sign of slowing down, so we were pleased to see it shoot to the top of the watchers list on both of our online auction platforms. There were two things that made this sign one to watch. Firstly, it was in an unusual green colourway, which differs from its usual blue and white colouring. Secondly it was adorned with the prestigious ‘Makers to T. M. the King and Queen’, which helped us date it to the Edwardian period. After a bidding war between the internet and the rooms it finally sold for a premium inclusive £1560
The toy auction had all the usual suspects of strong sellers including an array of diecast models (including a collection of Corgi diecast steam engine models, which went on to make a fantastic £900 plus premium under the hammer), but we were also lucky enough to have a couple of more unusual items. One of these was an utterly charming mid-19th Century German articulating acrobat toy. The most remarkable thing about this was the fact that it was still in working order, which is an incredible feat after nearly 170 years. The figure fits inside a box which folds out to create a set of stairs with a drawer to house the figure. Once the acrobat is positioned at the top a small tap will send him summersaulting down the stairs with surprising accuracy. Perhaps it was that drawer where he has been tucked away for all this time that is the reason he is still with us today!
On any given week, we probably answer around ten different phone or email enquiries about Pelham puppets. As a fail-safe 1950s and 60s Christmas present, these have become a real cornerstone of the auction market, and as they were designed and manufactured in Wiltshire, and being Wiltshire’s only specialists in toys, it’s no surprise that we sell lots of them!In this auction we had a fantastic private collection which featured some lovely, rare examples. A lot of these were from Pelhams ‘SL’ luxury puppet range. Instead of the standard round bobble heads, these examples had moulded features, meaning they required more skill to make and took a little longer. These were put into production in the 1950’s but were revamped in 1963 with designs by Peter Carter Page whose greatest claim to fame at this point was creating an instructional film with Disney studios. One of his designs features a crow which has a clear Disney influence which is always sought after. The collection raised a sum in excess of £4300 including premium.
Continuing a vintage Disney theme lot 279 featured 1930s period Deans Rag Book Mickey and Minnie mouse plush toys. Established in the early 20th Century by H Samuel Dean, Deans Rag Book was originally formed to produce reusable children’s books printed on fabric. After early success, by the 1930s they had branched out into soft toys. One of the earliest examples featured Mickey and Minnie under license from Disney. This Minnie figure features a red polka dot skirt, which although we have come to know this as an iconic part of Minnie’s brand, this was not established as a regular occurrence in film until much later but was regularly seen in merchandise at the time. This charming pair sold for a total of £260 including buyer’s premium.
Next week sees our fourth specialist Gold, Jewellery, Watches & Silver auction of the year as well as coins and medals on the previous day. With so many of these ‘cash for gold’ companies popping up at local village halls and even supermarket car parks, I don’t want to sound like a broken record – but please don’t let one of these companies offer you cash for your items without seeking specialist auction advice first. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, your items will be worth way more to a collector than what you are offered by these quick cash companies. Many of them bring those items to auctions to sell after buying them from members of the public for much less than their value. Our specialist Hannah is already working on our November auction so get in touch if you have items you would like us to look at.
As we look to the end of the month, we will be welcoming David Dickinson and Dickinson’s Real Deal team back to Wessex Auction Rooms for our 26th of September Antiques and Collectables auction. The auction starts at 10am and will feature a great selection of items filmed for the show, so please do come down and see us!
Wessex Auction Rooms are always consigning for forthcoming auctions and welcome entries Mon-Fri 9-5 at our auction rooms just off J17 of the M4 (Chippenham) with no appointment necessary, or on an appointment basis at our central Bath office, or at your home.Contact the team on 01249 720888 or email enquiries@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk