It was almost not a sale at all; with only a week or two to consign items in time for a 4th July sale date Batemans has seriously considered cancelling the July auction and hitting the ground running in the following 1st August scheduled date. The tight turnaround however was seized upon by the Batemans' staff, after so long in lock down, and all rose to the challenge putting on another high quality sale.

It was certainly worth working so hard for as the sale produced three fantastic highlights, high numbers of bidders, lots of interest, and a high percentage of sold lots. Clearly many were just as eager as we were to get back to work, and back to buying and selling at Batemans.

After a disappointingly slow start where the first lot failed to sell - it was a beautiful early 20th century Japanese haori padded jacket, which did sell as an aftersale: Lot 1 - Japanese Padded Jacket - things really got going on lot 4. Described as 'a 19th century South East Asian tortoiseshell and white metal mounted box' this charming little silver mounted box came from a local vendor whose mother had lived and travelled across Asia, including spending time in China and Japan. She clearly had an eye for quality as the hammer price was to reveal.

In very good condition for its age, and with such interesting provenance, many bidders had spotted it and vied to secure it.
The opening bid of £50 was left far behind as, after seventy-five bids in total across three minutes of competition, the hammer came down at £1,350 (£1,620 inc 20% BP)!

Half an hour later came another fantastic result - always destined to do well this beautiful Loetz vase, dating to circa 1910.

It had drawn many admiring glances in the Batemans Office show cabinets where it had been displayed in the run up to the sale and was a firm staff favorite. It was in lovely condition and was of an unusually large size for it's type. again spotted by numerous interested bidders it was to be an International bidder via a telephone bid that placed the winning bid. 

Bidding jumped straight in £580 and rocketed upwards, where it finally sold for a fantastic £2,280 (inc 20% BP). 

The last incredible surprise of the sale came in the form of an unassuming collection of paper, well OK, not just any old paper, they were a valuable collection of football programmes, ticket stubs and related ephemera. Hot on the heels of another fabulous collection selling at auction last week in the south of England, this group contained an England vs Scotland International match programme, FA Cup and league games from the 1930s to 1970s.

Huge interest leading up to the sale with dozens of condition report requests hinted unequivocally that it would sell very well. Pre-Bidding via the-saleroom.com had hit £1,050 on the Friday evening before the Sale Day, against ever sensible estimates of £100-£200, was not even enough when it was finally offered as lot 135.
Again multiple absentee bids, two telephone lines, and fevered internet bidding were all involved to push this most sought after of lots to a final price of £3,120 (inc. 20% BP). The vendors were bowled over with such a figure when they found out after the sale, praising our efforts, and have found another similar collection that they have now decided to consign for Batemans' August Sale - we can only hope that it tops this!

To consign items please contact us on 01780 766466 or valuations@batemans.com and have a look at our SELLING page.