May Auction Review with Tim Weeks
As I sit to write this month’s article temperatures are hitting 31 degrees here in Wiltshire, and whilst these temperatures are mostly associated with far away shores, buyers were in pursuit of something decidedly more in keeping with our fair British Isles. It really felt like the best of British in last week’s Antiques and Collectables auction with some of our best performing lots being iconic pieces of British design.
The first stand out example being a group of three Lorna Bailey hand painted figurines featuring the renowned steeplejack, Fred Dibnah. As one of the foremost potters of the 20th Century, Bailey found early success at Old Ellgreave Pottery producing a series of Clarice Cliff inspired patterns at the age of 17. With time she became known for producing colourful ceramic figures including rock and pop legends of the 20th Century. Our examples depicting Frank Dibnah were inspired by her father’s interest in the 1970s TV personality, and were produced in small, limited runs, each being hand signed. Included in the lot was a rare colour prototype which attracted plenty of interested collectors, with the lot ultimately selling for a total of £520 including buyer’s premium.
We also had a lovely selection of Rolls Royce memorabilia including an old radiator grill, advertising plaque, and a selection of ‘spirit of ecstasy’ mascots. These have such an interesting origin story it’s no wonder collectors still scramble to get their hands on the early models. In the golden age of bonnet mascots, Lord Montagu asked his friend Charles Sykes to create one for his Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. Sykes obliged and created what became known as ‘the whisperer’, the pre curser to the later ‘spirit of ecstasy’. This was modelled on Montagu’s secret lover Eleanor Thornton, and the pair would sadly suffer a shipwreck in 1915, with Eleanor sadly losing her life. Having seen the whisperer Claude Johnson asked Sykes to create an official hood ornament based on the design. Over 100 years later we still recognise it as a piece Rolls Royce heritage. Our three examples fetched in excess of £700 in total.
June also welcomed our seventh toy auction of the year which was jam packed with outstanding performers, and while there is often a natural focus in the toy collecting world on 'boys toys' such as Hornby model railway and Corgi diecast models - staples of any specialist toy auction at Wessex Auction Rooms, it was a bit of 'Girl Power' that stole the show during day one of the two day auction. We saw a collection of 16 original Mattel Barbie fashion dolls go under the hammer in lot 461 which included some sought-after dolls to include No. 860 Midge Hadley, No. 0850 Barbie Swirl Ponytail, No. 1165 Stacey Twist 'N Turn doll, No. 1105 Skipper Twist N' Turn doll among others. As expected, bidding was fast and furious with the gavel landing at £2,080 with buyer’s premium.
The highlight of day two saw what can only be described as a seldom seen 'rare beast' that drove its way into the saleroom. It was a c.1952 Ferrari 500 Grand Prix Monoposto race car, commissioned by Toschi and originally presented in very limited numbers as a gift to Ferrari F1 team personnel. The impressive item measured 55cm in length and was one of the talking points of the auction, not surprisingly it sold for a cool £2,080 inc BP.
July is a hugely exciting month for us as we will be welcoming the BBC Bargain Hunt team for the BBC Children in Need auction for the third consecutive year. I would love to invite you to join me, Christina Trevanion and all the celebrity contestants in the room on 11th July while we put some amazing charity experiences and lots under the Wessex hammer. See you there!
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