Historical insight and the allure of steam at sale
May 2024
Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt offered up a treasure trove of intriguing lots at the firm’s most recent Collectors and Selected Antiques sale.
The Somerset Salerooms, Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Junction 24, North Petherton, was a buzz with bidders keen to purchase the wide range of items that went under the hammer.
Pride of place went to a 3 inch gauge Stevens model dockyard live stream spirit-fired 4-2-2 locomotive, Conqueror, which despite some replacement parts, sparked furious interest from would-be buyers.
After strong competition on-line the hammer fell at £1,700.
From a reliable collectable favourite to an interesting insight into life in London in the 19th Century. Charles Booth’s Life and Labour of the People in London, 1902, is regarded as a landmark piece of socio-economic history looking at the living and working conditions of Londoners at the time. The original notebooks on which the books are based are held by the London School of Economics.
Included in the lot consigned to GTH were the set of seven volumes that looked at religious influences on the city's population, complete with 20 'area' maps, and a limited edition copy of T.R. Way's Reliques of Old London. Together these fetched £1,400.
The firm has long been associated with the trade in antiquarian and collectable books and its valuer, Peter Rixon, identified its overall approach as being key to its success.
“Quality and condition are obviously important factors but by offering an established specialist sale, in which items are catalogued and photographed in detail, we can often add value for our clients,” explained Dr Rixon.
Elsewhere missing ears and restored legs were no bar to success for a Pearlware pottery model of a horse, circa 1800-1820. This appealing dappled grey example with a mustard bridle, sold for £600.
More ceramic charm was provided by a pair of Burmantofts faience partie-colour Persian vases designed by Joseph Walmsley. Featuring stylized floral and foliate decoration in shades of turquoise, blue, grey and yellow, these striking vessels sold for £500 at the GTH auction. Examples of Walmsley’s work are held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Another field of specialism for the saleroom centres on diecast model vehicles, new and old. On this occasion all 73 lots were sold, including the first instalment of a collection from North Devon that brought £1,725.
A selection of topographical postcards, divided in lots by county, fetched £1,250, a pair of Chinese carved mother of pearl shells made £500, and a bright silkscreen print by Sir Terry Frost, 'Blue Circle', was contested over the telephone to £1,200.
The auctioneers are preparing for a similar collectors and selected antiques sale on Wednesday, June 26, from 11.30am. Please contact the salerooms on 01278 410250 for further details.