Four lots illustrate the new normal

By William Gregory MRICS, Golding Young and Mawer.

As auctions emerge from the pandemic, even though the restrictions had an overall positive effect, the new normal begins to appear.

Bidders are again competing against each other from the auction rooms, mindful of the online buyers and the telephone speculators. All this competition strictly regulated and coaxed by the auctioneer.

Four lots at the recent Lincoln salerooms illustrated the diversity of lots on offer.

Six telephone bidders are a sign of success and a late Georgian Vulliamy table clock did not disappoint.

Having recently completed an insurance valuation with a number of clocks by this maker, the valuer was right on the mark to the commercial value and recommended a very tempting estimate of £2,000 to £3,000. The potential buyers’ attention duly caught, a bidding battle commenced with a final bid of £15,500.

Names and makers equal interest and bidders.

Lalique commands that attention and did not disappoint when a Bacchantes vase sold just under top estimate for £1,100.

A collection of football programmes from the 1940s and 1950s had received excellent pre-sale interest and commission bidders. Offered for sale in 98 lots, with every lot selling. The top price of £500 went to Lot 193 which contained two programmes from 1946: Aberdeen v. Airdrie, and Queens Park v. Celtic.

Finally, an early 20thC clockwork Father Christmas automaton made someone’s day when it sold for £650.

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