PAUL KEEN
The Plymouth Auction Rooms
Faraday Mill Trade Park
Cattedown, Plymouth
Devon, PL4 0SE
01752 254 740
Forthcoming Auctions
Antiques & Collectables
Wednesday 28th August 2019 @ 10.30am
Viewing 27th 10am to 6pm, 28th 9am to 10.30am
Westcountry Art featuring Robert Lenkiewicz
Wednesday 11th September 2019 @ 6.00pm
Viewing 9th,10th & 11th September 2pm to 6pm
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News from the Rostrum
SEXTANT WITH FASCINATING HISTORY
Press Release September 2015.
Plymouth Auction Rooms will be auctioning an interesting Naval sextant on the 11th November with a fascinating history.
The sextant was made by J.Coombes of Devonport in 1907, a standard piece of Naval equipment used to plot the position of a ship before GPS came in and still used today as a back-up for when communication systems fail. It is an Edwardian 6 ½” radius Vernier Sextant, with oxidised brass three circle pattern frame, the brass arc signed and numbered 7243, inscribed A.L.P. Mark-Wardlaw R.N., cased with its original observatory certificate.
J.Coombes were listed in the “Post Office Directory of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse of 1906-1907” as optical and scientific instrument makers at the Observatory, Fore Street, Devonport, est. 1806, and manufactured sextants for the Royal Navy. A similar example can be found in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Where this example is different to the others is the inscription, “A.L.P. Mark-Wardlaw R.N.”, research by the staff at Plymouth Auction Rooms has uncovered that Alexander Livingstone Penrose Mark-Wardlaw was born on the 9th March 1891 into a Naval family; his grandfather having served as a purser to Admiral Lord Nelson and his brother, William Penrose (1887-1952) having a distinguished Naval career, retiring as a Rear Admiral.
He commenced training at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight before moving to Devonport, leaving with the rank of Lieutenant.
With the outbreak of the Great War he became involved in the new submarine warfare; the German fleet had 48 Unterseeboot or U-boats operational or under construction at the outbreak of war. Their main objective was to disrupt commerce and were deployed against merchant ships.
By 1915, Britain was in desperate need for a countermeasure against the U-boat. Sound detection gear and depth charges were still in their infancy, and the only means to sink a submarine was either by gunfire or by ramming. The problem was to lure the U-boat to stay on the surface rather than seeking safety in the deep of the sea. The solution to this problem was the creation of one of the closest guarded secrets of the war: the Q-Ship. This "U-Boot-Falle" (U-boat trap) was an old looking tramp steamer with hidden guns and torpedoes. Because of its load of wooden caskets, wood or cork, it very nearly was unsinkable. The idea was to lure the U-boat to attack the Q-Ship with its deck gun as at close range torpedoes would not sink the vessel.
The new weapon proved to be successful for the first time on 24th July 1915, when SM U 36 became the first U-boat to be sunk by a Q-Ship (HMS Prince Charles commanded by Lieutenant Mark-Wardlaw RN).
U-36 was a type 31 submarine, being commissioned on the 6th June 1914 under the command of Captain E. Graeff and by July 1915 had sunk 14 merchant ships and taken 3 more as prizes.
The HMS Prince Charles was a converted collier of 274 tonnes.
On the day she was sunk, U-36 intercepted and captured the American windjammer Pass of Balmaha, bearing a cargo of cotton intended for Russia. An ensign from U-36 was left aboard the windjammer to ensure her successful passage to Cuxhaven. The Pass was later refitted as a merchant raider and re-christened Seeadler, commanded by Count Felix von Luckner, soon to become famous for her naval exploits in the Atlantic and Pacific.
U-36 was sunk in the afternoon of 24 July 1915 in combat off the coast of North Rona in the Outer Hebrides with the British Q-ship Prince Charles, commanded by Lieutenant Mark Wardlaw, Royal Navy. The submarine had just stopped and boarded the Danish vessel SS Luise and a boarding party was in the process of dumping her cargo when a lookout sighted an approaching steamer. U 36 sailed towards the disguised Prince Charles and ordered her to stop while firing at her. The Q-ship complied, swinging out her boats. The unsuspecting submarine came within about 600 m of the ship when Prince Charles hoisted the British flag of war and commenced firing. Taken completely by surprise, U-36 took several direct hits and heavy damage, and sank.
Lieutenant Mark-Wardlaw received a Distinguished Service Order for the action, and two of his crew received Distinguished Service Medals. The merchant crew of the Q-ship was awarded a prize sum of £1,000, to be divided amongst themselves.
Between the wars Mark-Wardlaw rose through the ranks, becoming Assistant Naval Attaché in Washington, USA (1934-1937), in 1943 he became Aide de Camp to King George VI, between 1944-1946, he was Allied Naval Commander in Chief in Germany, becoming a Rear Admiral in 1946 and retiring in 1948.
He passed away in London in 1975.
One can only surmise that this sextant was used by Mark-Wardlaw to plot his course to the U-36, kick starting his illustrious career.
Rolex expert Richard Sheppard
KINGSBRIDGE VALUATION DAY
Find out what your valuables are worth at the KINGSBRIDGE VALUATION DAY Diamond and Rolex watch expert Richard Sheppard will be joining auctioneer and valuer Paul Keen to provide FREE valuations for jewellery, watches, antiques and collectables. Between them they bring over 50 years valuation and auctioneering experience. Bring your items along to the estate offices of Luscombe Maye, mid-way up of Fore Street, Kingsbridge and meet our friendly valuers. There is a public car park at the top of Fore Street on the left-hand side....
Lot 3, 11th September, 6pm.
ABSTRACT PAINTING OF THE CHINA CLAY WORKS
A large contemporary painting of the China Clay works is to be auctioned in September. Painted by Douglas M Rawlings (1921 2003) c.1955, in oil on board 120cm x 90 cm (128cm x 108cm including frame). Signed by the artist (Rawlings) set in a hardwood frame. Provenance; Exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Art in 1956 and the Royal West of England Academy in 1957. Purchased shortly after the artists death, in June 2004 at the Bristol Guild...
GREAT RETURN FOR £15 ROLEX INVESTMENT
In 1969 a Plymouth gentleman purchased a second hand Rolex wristwatch for just £15. He recently decided to sell it and brought it along to one of our valuation days. Identified as a rare 1964 GMT watch it was valued at £5000 to £7000. It came up for auction on 27th March 2019 and attracted tremendous interest from online collectors and local enthusiasts, after prolonged bidding it finally sold for an impressive £18,000 (including auction premium) proving to be great investment.
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson a solid oak octagonal table and a set of chairs - Auctin 28th August.
DISCOVER THE MOUSE
A family downsizing from a fine Cornish Mansion house have consigned some good pieces of antique furniture and collectors’ items to Plymouth Auction Rooms Summer auction. Robert (Mouseman) Thompson (1876 –1955) was a British furniture maker. He lived in Kilburn, North Yorkshire, where he set up a business manufacturing oak furniture, which featured a carved...
SOLD £32,400
DIAMOND RING SPARKLES IN PLYMOUTH
A stunning diamond ring has sold for a record sum at a Plymouth Auction Rooms this week, 29th April 2015. Bidders from as far as the middle east and the US competed for a remarkable 4 carat diamond ring that had been in the same Westcountry family for over fifty years. It was purchased in 1961 from Pellegrin Jewellers of Marseille, France. The family still had the original the receipt for showing that...
SOLD £3,400 Auction 30th November Lot 52 Estimate £1,500 to £2,000.
PLAIN GOLD RING WAS A LOVERS GIFT
A lovers gift from the 16th or 17th century handed down through generations of a Cornish family is to be sold at our fine jewellery sale this month. Posy rings were popular from the late medieval period onwards and were primarily used to communicate secret messages of love between the giver and the recipient. The wearing of words against the skin was believed to increase their poignancy. The inner surface of the ring is often inscribed with quotations from contemporary courtship stories. Many of these rings have been discovered as treasure...
PLYMOUTH ART LEADS THE WAY
Paintings and prints by popular local artists were in high demand at an art auction this week in Plymouth.With so many British artist’s to invest in or collect the works produced by the likes of Robert Lenkiewicz, Beryl Cook and Brian Pollard of Plymouth, still command as much interest as all the others. Auctioneer Paul Keen of the Plymouth Auction Rooms says ‘the great results achieved at this sale prove that local art is...
Lot 66 SOLD £4,300.
ASIAN, US AND EUROPEAN BIDDERS COMPETE AT THE MARCH 2018 SALE.
Auctioneer Paul Keen may have been shattered coming of the rostrum at 9.30pm last week but the exhaustion was well worth it after conducting one of his highest grossing jewellery, silver and watch auctions for two years. At a time when many auction rooms are sparse of bidders with many choosing to bid online, the Plymouth Auctin Rooms are finding their attendance going up considerably with standing room only at the sale last week. Demands were high and bidding fierce for fine diamond...
Lot 127, Lee Woods Sold £950.
WESTCOUNTRY ART SELLS BEST IN PLYMOUTH
Press Release-Western Morning News, 25th March 2017. "An extremely buoyant art auction held in Plymouth last week proved that demands for contemporary and naïve Westcountry artists has never been higher. Auctioneer Paul Keen reports an uplift in demand underpinned by new young investors and collectors recognising the value of bidding for affordable art at auction. Many bidders had an enjoyable evening at Plymouth Auction Rooms witnessing intensive bidding for artists such as Brian Pollard, Simeon Stafford, Lee...
Lot 105 10th May- String of amber beads sold £2,280 (including 20% buyers premium)
AMBER IS MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD !
The demand for original amber jewellery is so high today that it can now fetch a higher price than gold. Only this week at Plymouth Auction Rooms a very plain bead necklace weighing 76 grammes sold for an amazing £2,200. The same weight in 22 carat gold has a current value of just £1,900. Gram per gram it is more valuable than gold! The reason for this huge increase in price, is China. The Chinese have rediscovered amber,...
SOLD £6,500 19th July 2017.
RARE MARINE CHRONOMETER BY PAUL BARRAUD
An 8 day marine chronometer, the dial inscribed Barrauds’ LONDON, is expected to attract significant interest. The gimbaled movement, numbered 932, is housed in a brass-bound mahogany case, in untouched condition. The dial shows a rare state-of-wind aperture and the interior of the case bears a label indicating that it was once maintained, in Southampton, for the steamship the ‘Sardonyx’. A similar piece, model number 992, is in the London Science Museum. Paul Philip Barraud (1750 – 1820) had workshops in...
Remarkable story of how a Plymouth Masonic ring saved the Life of a brave soldier from the Great War.
Press ReleaseView BBC World War One at Home Link Plymouthian, Bertram Blight, was one of the first men to receive extensive and radical plastic surgery at the end of the First World War. However he would never had had the opportunity of surviving to 1952 if it wasn’t for the ring that he was wearing at the time he incurred his horrific injuries. Bored...
RARE BARRAUD'S POCKET WATCH DISCOVERY
Paul Barraud, was born in London 1752, into a family of fine watch and clockmakers. He produced many important chronometers and timepieces and died in 1820. His work can be found in the British Museum and Science Museum. Fast forward over 200 years to our valuation day this month. A Plymouth family inherited a strong box which their father always claimed to have valuables inside. Amongst the items they discovered a heavy gold pocket watch and albert chain which they brought along to our...
Lot 150
PRESS RELEASE - NOVEMBER JEWELLERY
A wonderful array of diamonds and valuable watches will greet bidders at Plymouth Auction Rooms on Wednesday. The final evening sale of the year offers probably one of the best collections of jewellery and watches seen in Plymouth for quite some time. Over 200 lots are on offer with estimates to suit all tastes and budgets. A Christmas gift, an engagement or collector of antique jewellery, all are catered for with guide prices from just £100. Auctioneer Paul...
A Christmas Auction
2017 CHRISTMAS AUCTION
Bidders will be greeted with mince pies and a festive atmosphere at Plymouth Auction Rooms final sale of the year on 13th December. The eclectic 300 lots auction features a most diverse range of collectables and antiques. From pocket watches, to porcelain, medals, furniture and lots of curious there is something for everyone with guide prices from as little as £20. There are many lots which have been in local families for...
Lot 100 Sold £7,000.
LOCAL BIDDERS TAKE STAR LOTS AT BUOYANT AUCTION - NOVEMBER 2017
At a time when many of the higher value lots are being taken up but national and overseas buyers, it was refreshing for auctioneer Paul Keen to see several of the ‘star’ lots at his recent sale being purchased by local buyers attending the sale and outbidding determined internet bidders. The November jewellery and watch sale generated a brace of valuable entries many consigned following an extremely busy valuation day earlier in the month. A large diamond solitaire...
The John Speed Map coming up for auction on 7th March 2108.
RARE MAP TURNS UP ON VALUATION DAY - 2018
A rare 17th century map was brought along to the saleroom this week (8th Jan). John Speed (1552-1629) is one of the best known names in the history of English cartography, producing his first map in 1601 and in 1627 "Prospect Of The Most Famous Parts Of The World" the first world atlas produced by an Englishman. Speed’s work can be identified by detailed, informative and highly decorated maps. A Plymouth gentleman recently inherited two maps and bought them along to Paul Keen’s valuation day....
Lot 85, Victorian walnut canterbury - Auction 7th March
PRESS RELEASE PREVIEWING 7TH MARCH 2018 AUCTION
Western Morning News 24th February 2018.Later today thousands of rugby fans will be tuning in to watch England take on Scotland in the Six Nations. Tickets are scarce and expensive to watch any major rugby games and in particular at the ‘home of rugby’ Twickenham Stadium. Now enthusiasts have a chance to own outright their very own stadium seats! A pair of folding metal framed and wood slated seats that once graced the stadium around the 1930/40’s are to be sold by auction...
Lot 291
POCKET WATCHES GALORE MARCH 2018
There is something exciting about opening up the case of antique pocket watch, enthuses auctioneer Paul Keen. Many Georgian pocket watches have a plain and non-descript exterior but this outer façade often hides a highly intricate and beautiful gilt mechanical movement. Many sellers that come along to valuation days at Plymouth Auction Rooms have never looked inside their inherited pocket watch and often amazed when they have site of the workings which often reveal a makers name, city and date.
Lot 30 An American sterling silver flatware service, Estimate £2,000 to £3,000
TWO FINE SILVER CANTEENS OF CUTLERY MARCH 2018
Solid silver cutlery would impress any one at a dinner party. Now there is an opportunity to bid for a choice of two extensive silver sets each over 150 pieces. For a twelve person gathering these sets are perfect and in excellent condition. They are both made by the American silversmith, the International Silver Company, from Meriden, Connecticut. One is in the stylish Royal Danish pattern, comprising 177 pieces and weighing some 2o0 ounces, the other by the same maker is in the ‘1810’ pattern and is 164 pieces They...
SMALL LENKIEWICZ SELF PORTRAIT SELLS FOR £9,000
The small size of the self portrait oil painting by Robert Lenkiewicz (1941-2002) did not deter a local collector biddng an after sale £9,000 to acquire it at the February 2018 art auction.The sale rounded of some strong results for 20th century and contemporary art. Measuring just 20cm x 25cm the painting abtly titled 'Self Portrait' and signed twice attracted several pre sale bids around £8,000 and just after the sale two collectors were in the running to pay over £10,000 with the premium. A Plymouth gentleman...
EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPHS AND SIGNED PHOTO'S - APRIL 2019
This collection of autographs and signed photographs fully represent British popular culture of the last 50 years. Film stars, pop stars, jazz musicians, soap stars and stage actors. They are all here from Rex Harrison to Christopher Biggins, Ernie Wise to Stephen Fry. These albums represent many, many hours travelling the country and waiting to meet the celebrities of the day at theatres in the capital and provinces. Someone stood outside stage doors and at red carpet barriers waiting patiently for the famous personalities of the day to put pen to...
Lot 12 - 27th June 2018
ASTON VILLA MEDAL TURNS UP ON VALUATION DAY
A solid gold football medal was recently brought along to a valuation day held in Plymouth. Dated 1897 the medal was awarded by Aston Villa Football Club to a G.B. Ramsay in 1897. Finely cast in 18ct gold it depicts football trophies on one side and the Aston Villa Lion on the other, it has the team banner at the top and is inscribed on one side 'Presented to G.B.Ramsay Esq, By the members in grateful recognition of valued services', and in the other 'League Champions and English Cup Winners ...
Chinese blanc de chine porcelain - auction 12th September 2018
ASIAN WORKS OF ART DISCOVERED IN CHINA CABINET
Press Release , August 2018 Auctioneers never quite know what’s going to turn up from one day to the next. At Plymouth Auction Rooms people arrive daily with boxes and boxes of chinaware all manner of objects, the valuers often see tea sets and numerous ornaments however last week a local family sorting through the contents of their father’s china cabinet brought along an array of interesting oriental objects and small Victorian collectables. As the market remains buoyant for Asian art the family may be in for a...
The Louisa Lifeboat by Mick Cawston- Auctin 14th November.
WE'LL LAUNCH FROM PORLOCK
The Story of the Lynmouth Lifeboat ‘Louisa’ The story of the incredible journey made by Lynmouth villagers and lifeboat crew to launch their boat at the end of the Victorian age is represented in a fine atmospheric painting due to come up for auction. The story of the Lynmouth lifeboat Louisa epitomises the exploits of brave and intrepid lifeboat volunteers who aid those in peril on dangerous seas. On the...
THE BRONZE DANCING FAUN of POMPEI
An impressive large bronze sculpture the Pompeiian Dancing Faun is one of several interesting lots coming up for sale in Plymouth next month. Dating from the late 19th early 20th century the figure is a copy of the original figure which was discovered in the atrium of the subsequently named 'House of Faun' in Pompeii, first excavated by archaeologists in 1830, and is currently held in the collection of the Naples Archaeological Museum. The Roman version unearthed is almost certainly a copy of an earlier Greek bronze....
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
Press Release A stunning diamond ring that has been in the same South Devon family for many years will come up for sale later this month. The 3 carat round diamond is set in platinum and is joined by two baguette cut diamonds. It was brought along to a valuation day at Plymouth Auction Rooms and identified of being of a very good clarity and bright colour, and now carries a guide price of £10,000 to £12,000. For those with a lower budget this popular auction hosts...
Our valuers will be on hand to offer free auction appraisals.
SPECIALIST VALUATION DAY - 13th May 2019
We shall be holding a specialist valuation day on 6th May at our saleroom in Plymouth. Diamond and Rolex expert Richard Sheppard will be joining experienced valuer Paul Keen to offer free auction appraisals for any items of jewellery, silver or watches that you may be considering selling. There is no obligation to sell and also no need to make an appointment, simply come along to the saleroom any time between 10am and 4pm where our friendly team will assist you. There is a high demand for...
Lot 4, Sir Terry Frost - 12 June 2019
AFFORDABLE CONTEMPORARY ART
“Contemporary art at affordable prices” is how auctioneer Paul Keen describes the upcoming art auction at Plymouth Auction Rooms. Collectors will have the choice to bid for several works by popular Westcountry artists. Four notable works include a charming painting consigned by Plymouth artist Arth Lawr, titled 'Bank Holiday, Barbican 2019' painted in acrylics measuring 34.50cm x 34.50cm. Arthur Lawr is a Member of the British Society of Naïve Artists and this painting offers a perfect investment opportunity with a tempting estimate of just £100 to £200. There are...
Lot 1 Lee Woods
ART WORK FROM BOB DYLAN TO ROBERT LENKIEWICZ MARCH 2019
Building an art collection is an exciting endeavour. With artwork from the 19th to the 21st century and prices ranging from £100 to £5000, the next art auction at Plymouth Auction Rooms is the perfect place to start. You can bid for many paintings and prints by popular Westcountry artist including Brian Pollard, Robert Lenkiewicz and Lee Woods. There are large bright paintings for contemporary homes and finer works for the serious collector. One of the headliners is a stunning painting by Cornish artist Seth Garland from the 2012 Lapis...
SOLD £15,000 1969 gents Rolex, model 1675 - Auction 27th March 2019
ROLEX WATCH PURCHASED FOR £15 IN 1969 SELLS FOR £15,000
The ‘Finest Time Piece for Flight Navigation’ is how Rolex marketed their GMT Master model wristwatch in the 1960’s. The superlative timepiece was capable of showing local time for any two time zones and also featured an inbuilt compass. It was originally designed in collaboration with Pan American Airways and issued by the airline to their crews on long-haul flights. The 1675 was first introduced in 1959 and continued until 1980. It has since become one of the most collected models in the vintage...
Sold £10,600 March 2019
MARCH REVIEW 2019 - LOCAL COLLECTORS COMPETE AGAINST ONLINE BIDDERS
Press Release.March has been a busy month a Plymouth Auctions with two major sales including art, jewellery, watches and silver. There have been many highlights but what has stood out for the auctioneers is that despite high numbers of online UK and international bidders there were several top lots selling to or underbid by local collectors. The art sale saw Seth Garlands beautiful painting titled ‘Inertia Shines’ selling at £5,800 to a South Devon buyer bidding against Plymouth collectors in the packed saleroom. The same sale Robert Lenkiewicz’ study of Lisa...
Lot 63, Robert Lenkiewicz - 26 June 2019
DISCOVER THE RARE PROJECT 19 PAINTING BY ROBERT LENKIEWICZ
Many of us are familiar with the work of Robert Lenkiewicz (1941-2002) and have seen his impressive portrait paintings many depicting local people covering a wide range of projects involving vagrancy, relationships and education. However it is not commonly known that Robert also produced a small number of landscape paintings. Following his heart surgery in 1995, Robert convalesced at the quiet Mudbank Lake Cottage on an estuary in south Devon, near Kitley Estate. There he produced fewer than forty pictures on the theme of Landscape – The Painter as...
CORNISH WARE COLLECTION COMES TO AUCTION IN PLYMOUTH
We are delighted to offer for auction one of the largest collections of T.G.Green Cornish Ware in the Country at our auction on 26 June. This collection of the iconic blue and white stiped china represents a lifetime’s interest. Comprising some 400 or so items offered here in 48 lots there is something for everyone. Some items are so large, rare or interesting they are offered individually, notably the 10 inch tall mugs or the square fridge box. Others, while no less...
Auction 5th November A fine English Table Clock by J.Lowndes
THE FASCINATING ANTIQUE CONTENTS OF A LOCAL RESIDENCE.
Every now and then auctioneers have the pleasure of discovering wonderful works of art when they visit people’s homes. Paul Keen had one such visit seven years ago when he discovered an important collection of gold coins in a Plymouth property resulting in the sale of one of most important coin collections outside London in the last fifty years. Last year he undertook a probate valuation...
RARE WESTCOUNTRY SILVER SPOON DICOVERED ON VALUATION DAY
A rare Westcountry silver spoon has been discovered on a Plymouth Auction Rooms valuation day. Whilst sorting through some Georgian silver cutlery valuer Paul Keen spotted a worn silver spoon which was quickly identified as a rare trefid spoon and on closer inspection to one dating from the Queen Anne period, 1703 with an Exeter hallmark. The trefid spoon was introduced in England around 1660 and is typified by a flat handle having a stem that widens at the top and has two notches that form it into a three lobed...
SCOUTING AND BADEN POWELL COLLECTION DECAMP TO AUCTION
AUCTION SATURDAY 28TH MARCH AT 10.30AM The Graham Brooks Collection of Baden Powell and Scouting Memorabilia. Graham Brooks is a retired Silver Wolf.
PART OF THE TEK SING CARGO COLLECTION FOR SALE IN NOVEMBER.
CHINESE TREASURE CARGO FOR AUCTION
A collection of Chinese porcelain recovered from an early 19th century wreck is to be in Plymouth this month. Some 300 Chinese blue and white porcelain bowls that were part of a huge consignment recovered from the Tek Sing Chinese Junk in 1999 are expected to sell for over £3,000. The Tek Sing was a large three-masted
GILL WATKISS Lot 336
ART AUCTION IS BEST IN THE WEST!
Press Release.Western Morning News Saturday 11th April. For just one region, the Westcountry has always benefited from an abundance of gifted artists – both those native to the area and those who have migrated here for the scenery or creative lifestyle. The team at Plymouth Auction Rooms has seen many exceptional pieces of local artwork pass through its doors.
SEXTANT WITH FASCINATING HISTORY
Press Release September 2015. Plymouth Auction Rooms will be auctioning an interesting Naval sextant on the 11th November with a fascinating history. The sextant was made by J.Coombes of Devonport in 1907, a standard piece of Naval equipment used to plot the position of a ship before GPS came in and still used today as a back-up for when communication systems fail. It is an Edwardian 6 ½” radius Vernier Sextant, with oxidised brass three circle pattern frame, the...
BRAVE SOLDIER AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL FOR HEROIC ACTIONS.
A Military Medal group of 7 medals awarded to Lance Bombardier Victor Arthur Blake, 823539, 124 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery comprising military medal (George V) for bravery in field stamped 823539 L.BMBR.V.BLAKE.R.A. also the 1939 45 star, the Africa’s star with 8th army bar, the Italy Star, the France and Germany star, 3945 war medal and territorial medal for efficient service. Victor Arthur Blake Royal Artillery died aged 29 on 2nd October 1944 bravery...
Lot 229 Auction 5th July 2016 Sold for £4,680.
WORN CONDITION OF WATCH DOES NOT DETER ENTHUSIASTS
The tired and worn condition of this Gents Omega wrist watch did not distract watch enthusiasts from bidding nearly ten times its pre sale estimate at our sale this month (5th July). The huge increase in demand for classic and rare Gents watches was clear at this specialist watch auction with many lots selling over estimate. However amongst the valuable other Rolex and Omega watches this unassuming Omega was the stand out result. Against expectations of...
Lot 137 SOLD £6,000 Auction 7th December 2016.
JOAN GILLCHREST SELF PORTRAIT
Mousehole based Joan Gillchrest (1918 – 2008) established herself as one of the foremost naïve artists of her time. Just as L. S. Lowry’s work depicts the life and times of the working class people of Northern England Joan’s distinctive paintings depicted the fisher folk of Cornwall’s Penwith Peninsula. Works by Gillchrest have risen in value over the last ten years as collectors have been keen to acquire original paintings by artists of the St. Ives School art from...
TETLEY TEA 'CHINESE' TEAPOT
It is understandable why Sarah Grizeal Garden Tetley-Jones (1916-2011) salvaged a Chinese teapot when she left Shanghai in a hurry at the outbreak of The Battle of Shanghai, in 1937, when armies of the National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese Army began the first of many battles. She and her family were part of Americas leading Trade Names ‘Tetley Tea’. Sarah brother was named Tetley Ironside Tetley-jones, and their...
MUSEUM CABINETS NEED A NEW HOME
Western Morning News, Arts & Antiques Press Release.In 2020 there will be a ground-breaking new visitor attraction in Plymouth; the History Centre. The City Museum and Art Gallery will reopen as the flagship building for the Mayflower 400 commemorations following a major refit. Collections form the museum have gone into store but two items have become redundant and will now be sold be auction. Some may recall climbing the staircase at the museum and being greeted...
SOLD £4,600 (L) £3,000 (R)
DEVON CLOCK COLLECTION TO BE SOLD
Many people visiting the National Trust property Buckland Abbey may recall a fine longcase clock inscribed ‘Bennett Plymouth’ on the dial. This regulator clock has been on loan to The Abbey, from an important clock collection of a Westcountry family. Enthusiasts and collectors will now have the opportunity to view and to bid for...
PRESS RELEASE - 21st September 2017
'A most pretty clock’ is how auctioneer Paul Keen describes lot 15 at his sale next week. The antique French miniature silver and guilloche enamelled carriage clock may only be 40mmm tall but is very desirable. In excellent condition, made by Argent in the ealry 1900’s. It has been in the same family for many years and should have no problem in acheiving its estimate range of £300 to £500. Small silver objects are always popular at auction...
SOUTH HAMS VALUATION DAY
The market town of Kingsbridge is the new venue for a regular valuation event for those living in the South Hams. The team at Plymouth Auction Rooms will be available for free valuations at the offices of Luscombe Maye on the main Fore Street. The inaugural event takes place on Monday 8th October between 10am and 2pm. If you are considering selling any jewellery, antiques, silver or watches simply take them along on the day for a free valuation and professional auction advice. In attendance will be local Rolex...
This fine Lenkiewicz painting is expected to sell for £15,000-£20,000 on 18th September
TWO FINE LENKIEWICZ PAINTINGS FROM 2002
Two of the last paintings worked on by iconic Plymouth painter Robert Lenkiewicz are set to be auctioned in Plymouth in September. The works by the artist, who died aged 60 in August 2002 from heart problems, are expected to realise more than £40,000 when they go under the hammer at the Plymouth Auction rooms quarterly art sale on September 18. The first, an oil on...
This stunning Self Portrait is expected to sell from £22,000 to £28,000 on 18th September.
GREAT SELECTION OF ART AT THE SEPTEMBER AUCTION
Press Release - 9th September 2013 An important evening sale takes place in Plymouth next week, giving collectors a fantastic opportunity to acquire fine art by some of the city's leading artists. Heading the list is Robert Lenkiewicz, with more than 80 works by the painter due to go under the hammer at the Plymouth Auction Rooms Quarterly Art Sale on Wednesday, September 18, starting at 6pm.
FRED YATES COLLECTION RAISES £10,000
A man who splashed his £100 teenage savings on two works by an artist friend of his family has seen his investment pay off in style. Adam Hedley had intended to use the money to buy a guitar, but instead on a whim spent it artworks by Fred Yates, who had stayed at the family home near Liskeard, in South East Cornwall.
This pair of Blackamoors sold for £3,800 to a Devon buyer against tremendous UK competition.
BLACKAMOORS SMASH THROUGH ESTIMATE AT THE JANUARY SALE
A rare pair of carved wood and gilt Blackamoor figures were the stars of the show at the latest Plymouth Auction Rooms sale, when they sold for £3,800. The much sought-after figures, each standing on a plinth and holding a serving tray, had been estimated at £1,000-£2,000. But a packed saleroom at the sale last Wednesday (January 22) watched in awe as a determined telephone bidder from South Devon fought off rivals to eventually land the Blackamoors for well above the estimate. The figures, which had been in a South...
SOLD £5,300 FRED YATES 'Boat on the River Fowey'
FRED YATES SELLS FOR TEN TIMES THE ESTIMATE
A real bid battle commenced this week at Plymouth Auction Rooms evening art sale. From a small collection of works by Fred Yates; serious collectors spotted the charming small study of a boat of the River Fowey. Auctioneer Paul Keen received quite a number of enquiries before the sale and felt that it may improve on its guide but he and many others were...
SOLD £10,500.
LENKIEWICZ PROFILE SELF PORTRAIT FOR SALE
Collectors of Lenkiewicz art will have the opportunity of bidding on a rare self portrait painting at Plymouth Auctions Rooms this month. Titled ‘Profile, Self Portrait’ the well kept oil on board painting measures 25cm x 19cm and is housed in a heavy black frame. It is signed and title and carries a guide price of £10,000 to £12,000. Auctioneer Paul Keen has sold several self portraits with one making £13,500 at his last sale. The auction includes a collection...
The Chinese Vase that sold for £3,100
CHINESE VASE SELLS FOR SIX TIMES ITS ESTIMATE
The main attraction of the June sale was the 19th century Chinese blue and white vase. It attracted tremendous pre sale interest with several Chinese collectors bidding from China the internet alongside competition from three telephone bidders. It finally sold for over six times its estimate to a Chinese specialist bidding from London for a respectable £3,100. The 600 lots auction featured an eclectic range of items from a small job lot of Fountain Pens...
Plymouth Porcelain Sauce Boat SOLD £2,800
THE BATTLE FOR PLYMOUTH PORCELAIN IS WON BY LOCAL COLLECTOR
The battle for a rare piece of Plymouth porcelain was won by a local collector bidding in the room. Tremendous national interest was generated by the discovery of the small 18th century Plymouth porcelain sauce boat. However a local collector of Plymouth items was determined not to be out bid and ignored our estimate of £200 to £400 and secured the piece for £2,800 against bidders online and telephone bidders. William Cookworthy (a Quaker pharmacist) of Kingsbridge discovered China clay in Cornwall in...
ROLLING STONES MEMORABILIA SOLD FOR £500.
ROLLING STONES MEMORABILIA FOR AUCTION
A collection of Rolling Stones Memorabilia will be on offer at our November auction. The collection was acquired by a local enthusiast from 1964 to 1967 and includes a rare set of autographs on paper including Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards. Brian Jones autograph may need verification as Bill Wyman often signed for Brian Jones also the Charlie Watts signature is indistinct. Original tour brochures and...
BERYL COOK'S 'KISSING TIME' SETS SAIL TO CANADA FOR £19,200
BIDDING BON VOYAGE TO BERYL
Press Release 3rd March 2015 A unique and exceptionally rare Beryl Cook oil painting has sold at Plymouth Auction Rooms and now sets sail for Canada. The original piece of art sold for a staggering £19,200 to an overseas collector, who narrowly outbid a local Plymouth auction-goer. The painting – titled 'Kissing Time' – is in the much-loved local artist’s distinctively vibrant and fun style. As a Plymouth resident for...
John Cabello of Parade Antiques, Plymouth along with his son Dominic show of their new acquisition; the Baden-Powell mangle.
BADEN-POWELL HAT SELL FOR £1,300
A hat made for and owned by the founder of the Scouting Moment has sold at auction for a remarkable £1,300. The hat was part of the collection of Plymouth enthusiast Mr Graham Brooks, a Scouting Silver Wolf, who had decided to sell his entire collection of some 400 items at Plymouth Auction Rooms last weekend. The wide brimmed felt 'Scout Hat' dating from 1890 was manufactured for, owned...
Nicholas Condy (1793-1857) St.Andrews Chruch Plymouth Lot 350
HISTORICAL PLYMOUTH ART
Read the fascinating feature written by Plymouth Historian Chris Robinson.
lot 261 Auction 25th November.
RARE WATCH DISCOVER AT SOUTH HAMS VALUATION DAY
Last month Plymouth Auction Rooms held their inaugural free auction valuation day in association with Luscombe Maye at their office in Totnes. It was a very busy day for both teams with an interesting selection of objects brought in for appraisal. One of the highlights was a gentleman who came in with a small selection of jewellery that he had inherited from his family. During his conversation with the specialist, Andrew Spicer, he said that he...
LOT 351 AUCTION 2ND MARCH 2016 SOLD £2,700
TITANIC REPLICA PAINTING TO BE SOLD AT PLYMOUTH AUCTION ROOMS
A replica of a painting with fascinating history is to be auction in Plymouth. Read all about it…. After the senate inquiry into the sinking of of the Titanic in 1912, one of the survivors, a Swedish businessman and rumoured military attaché called Mauritz Hokan Bjornstrom-Steffansson, filed a claim for $100,000 ($2.4 million equivalent today) against the White Star Line for the loss of a large neoclassical oil painting called...
THE CAMDEN TOWN GROUP AUCTION 23/3/16
A small painting purchased at a jumble sale in 1963 and later discovered to be the work of influential British artist Walter Sickert is to be sold by auction. Walter Sicker (born Munich 1860-1942) was a member of The Camden Town Group of English post-impressionist artists who were active around 1911 -1913. Named after the area of north London where they lived and worked, the group aimed to reflect the realities of modern urban life. They produced works covering...
Lot 250, Auction 14th September, estimate £4,000 to £5,000Rolex, a fine gents steel and gold GMT Master II wristwatch with original box, papers warranty dated 2002, serial No P923700 in very good condition.
BUSY AUTUMN SEASON AHEAD
We have a busy calendar of sales ahead for the Autumn 2016 season.Starting with an interesting sale of antique Chinese porcelain on 14th September at 12noon. Two private collections from Devon have generated 80 lots and allowed us to put togather a special focused auction. The star lot is a Kangxi Period vase that is expected to sell for £1,500 to £2,000. However there are plenty of lots with guides around £50 that may appeal to new collectors in this area.No sooner have we held the sale then at 6.00pm on the same day we hold our popular auction of...
The blue and white porcelain Kangxi Vase was sold for £9,500.
SPECIAL SALE OF CHINESE PORCELAIN
On Wednesday, 14th September, Plymouth Auction Rooms are offering a rare opportunity for local buyers to invest in the growing market for Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Paul Keen has recently been asked to sell two local collections and is holding a special 80 Lot sale starting at the unusual time of mid day. It may be surprising to learn that, thanks to our trading and naval history,...
SILVER CAT PIN CUSHION MAKES RECORD PRICE 2018
Collectors from the UK and as far as the Netherlands were excited when a rare silver pin cushion in the form of a crouching cat came up for auction this week in Plymouth. Auctioneer Paul Keen ‘we sell many novelty silver pin cushions and they can be picked up from £50 to £100, however this cat really took us by surprise!’ The silver hallmark identified is as being made by silversmiths Adie & Lovekin of Birmingham around 1908. Its original...
LOT 452 Auction 22nd January
1960'S LEGENDRY SINGERS SIGNED SHIRT FOR PLYMOUTH FAN
A fan's encounter with a legendary singer in Plymouth could hit the right note at auction next week. Stan Ozanne was a huge admirer of Frankie Laine, who had a string of hits on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1950s and 60s. So when the singer appeared at the city's former bowling alley in Mayflower Street in the late 1960s, Stan was determined to see him. Stan, 78, said: "Frankie was such a powerful singer - he didn't need a microphone. "After his show I managed to have...
lot 425 SOLD £ 1,600 1887 Victoria £5 Gold, N.E.F. (a few edge nicks)
COIN COLLECTION ATTRACTS NATIONAL MEDIA INTEREST
Auction 3rd April 2013. Our recent auction of a collection of gold and silver coins attracted tremendous pre sale attention from UK and International collectors. Our initial estimate was doubled with the collection grossing over £30,000. The local Plymouth owner was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the result. The following day a major feature appeared in the local press which was followed up by national...
DANISH RESISTANCE FIGHTER'S CARVINGS FOR SALE
Inuit carvings collected by a World War Two resistance fighter after his release from a Nazi concentration camp go on sale in Plymouth next month. The collection of seven rare marine ivory pieces, featuring a sleigh, polar bears and elephant, were acquired by Dane John Christian Olsen, who was captured in 1944. He was sent to the Bochum labour camp...
EMILY KEEN MODELS THE NORMAN HARTNELL DRESS
ROYAL DESIGNERS DRESS GOES UP FOR SALE IN PLYMOUTH
Royal designer’s dress goes up for sale in PlymouthView media feature Fashionistas and lovers of classic clothing will be flocking to an auction house in Plymouth when a 1920s dress and bolero jacket produced by one of the most famous names in British design is sold.
This early Beryl Cook painting is expected to sell for £8,000 to £10,000 on 4th December.
FIRST TIME ON THE MARKET FOR BERYL COOK PAINTING
Press Release. An early work by Beryl Cook, which had languished in a cupboard before being bought by a keen follower of her work, is expected to sell for up to £10,000 at auction in Plymouth. The untitled painting, never before seen on the open market, is particularly interesting as it also features an unfinished drawing on the reverse.
Lot 408 Auction 26 February 2014
PLYMOUTH'S GREAT EXPLORER
Two lots honouring one of Plymouth’s most famous explorers are set to break new ground when they go under the hammer at an auction in the city this month. The scrolls pay tribute to the legendary Scott of the Antarctic, otherwise known as Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who was born in Plymouth in 1868. He died in a doomed...
Lot 41 Auction 26 February
GEORG JENSEN LEADS THE SILVER SECTION
A Georg Jensen silver cigar box will light up the next sale at Plymouth Auction Rooms later this month. The box, decorated with panels of stylised flowers, heads a list of eclectic lots at the sale at the firm’s Cattedown saleroom in Plymouth on Wednesday, February 26. It features impress marks 'Georg Jensen, 830' and 'JR' (possibly referring Georg Jensen designer Johan Rohde) and stands on bracket feet. Measuring 18cm by 14cm, it weighs 43.25oz and has...
GEORGE BEST AUTOGRAPH AMONGST OTHER MAN UNITED STARS IN RARE PROGRAMME
A rare signed football programme is expected to excite football fans at the Plymouth Auction Rooms next month. In the 1970’s Charlie Cooper was the coach driver on the team bus for Manchester United Football Club. On an away match to the Arsenal Stadium he asked the players if they could sign the match programme for his daughter, Christina, who was unable to attend the match as she was on holiday in Devon at the time....
SOLD £3,700
HIGH DEMAND FOR ROLEX WATCHES
This year we have achieved some great prices for Rolex and other luxury wrist watches. Our online sales have brought a wide audience of national and international collectors to our sales. There are many new collectors for quality watches with their obvious appeal and potential increase in value they represent a good investment opportunity. Our July auction saw two Rolex Submariners sell over estimate at £3,700 each. A rare Rolex True Beat stainless steel wrist watch go for £2,400...
Fred Yates in action around 1970
'FOWEY BOATS' BY FRED YATES AT THE OCTOBER SALE
Plymouth Auction Rooms are establishing themselves as principle saleroom to sell paintings by Fred Yates (1922-2008). With several great results for his works at their art sales including two originals for over £6,000; the auctioneers now regularly receive national and international enquiries from collectors and sellers alike. Expecting to attract interest at the October art auction is a pair of paintings titled ‘Boat on The Fowey I and II’ painted on the banks of the...
ROYAL MINT GOLD COINS SELL FOR OVER £25,000
Press Release-29th January 2015 Plymouth Auction Rooms are serving the high demand for commemorative gold coins. Auctioneer Paul Keen reports ‘having sold two major collections recently we have seen a wealth of new online bidders competing for investment opportunities’ Collectors are currently searching for fine proof coins produced by the Royal Mint or the Westminster mint. With coin sales of over £26,000 in recent weeks, Paul is now inviting further collections for his...
CONTEMPORARY SILVER COLLECTION UNDER THE HAMMER
Fashions have changed! And a collection of 1970’s silver illustrates just how much’ Says Auctioneer Paul Keen. Ten years ago a Victorian silver teaset would attract a great deal of interest but today the ornate styles and rich embellishments of the high Victorian style does not fit with peoples tastes. However move forward to the 1970s and a collection of angular and plain silver is expected to attract a lot of interest. ...
VALUATION OFFICE IN THE SOUTH HAMS
Luscombe Maye and Plymouth Auction Rooms are pleased to announce a new joint collaboration. On the second Thursday every month, Andrew Spicer of Plymouth Auction Rooms will be in attendance at the Totnes office of Luscombe Maye for FREE specialised auction advice on jewellery, watches and silver. A member of the Luscombe Maye team will be available for free advice on the property market. No appointment necessary between the hours...
An extensive vinyl collection that sold for over £5,000 at the sale attracting worlwide bidders.
PLYMOUTH HERALD REPORTS ON OUR COLLECTORS AUCTION OCTOBER 20156.
Our fascinating Collectors Auction on 12th October was spotted by reporters at the Plymouth Herald. The sale featured some fascinating items and some of the results were impressive. Read all about it here…..The Herald
PICASSO VASE- 'THE OWL' AUCTION 25TH JANUARY.
PICASSO VASE DISCOVERY AUCTION 25th JANUARY 2017.
Paul Keen reports.On a recent visit to a remote Cornish cottage on the banks of the river Tamar I was asked to appraise a typical mixture of Cornish art, and sundry collectables. However as soon as I walked into the study one object stood out amongst the routine effects. An abstract painted pottery vase; it shouted Picasso (Pablo Picasso, Spanish, 1881-1973). On turning it over I could see an impressed marked ‘'Edition Picasso Madoura'. Later identified as Chouetton (owl), and part of the...
Mr John Capon.
THE JOHN CAPON COLLECTION OF ZULU ARTIFACTS & BRITISH REGIMENTAL INSIGNIA
Born during the London Blitz, and with his soldier father killed during the war, John grew up with a strong interest in military history. He moved to South Africa at only twenty-one, when his company posted him to Cape Town. After some years he was transferred to Durban, where he lived for thirty years. Whilst living in Natal, he became interested in the Zulu War of 1879. He spent a great deal of his free time exploring the...
DECADES OLD MYSTERY SOLVED
A decades old mystery involving one of Plymouth’s favourite artists and a weapon used by Pacific natives has finally been solved. The wooden object had been the subject of discussions and debate for years involving the family of the late Beryl Cook and visitors to their city home on the Hoe. Beryl’s son, John, said: “It had been in our house for years – certainly since we moved in during the late...
SOLD £980 - 31st July 2013
RARE PAIR WWII GERMAN U BOAT BINOCULARS
An original pair of German U Boat binoculars, probably made by Zeiss, with canvas bag together with a German iron cross, were liberated by Chief Engine Room Artificer W.G.Wright at the end of the second world war.They were brought along to our valuation day this week by the family and will be sold at our auction on 31st July.W.Wright was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Auctioneer Paul Keen ''U Boat binoculars a popular amongst collectors and we expect these to sell for £300-£500" View Catalogue
WORLD WAR TWO NAVIGATOR AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
A medal awarded to a World War Two navigator for his bravery on combat missions in the Far East is being sold at auction in Plymouth. Flight Sergeant David Arthur Jones was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1946 after completing a host of sorties against enemy forces. He survived a crash over India in March 1943 when his aircraft was struck by another and plummeted to the ground four miles south of Dacca. An account of the incident, along with other details of his war service, are contained in a log book...
This fine diamond ring sold for £1,200.
GLOBAL INTEREST IN THE JULY AUCTION
A packed saleroom and bidders from 17 countries saw Plymouth Auction Rooms’ latest jewellery, silver and collectables sale reach new heights. The auction on Wednesday, July 31, saw much interest in the star lots which all sold on or above valuation. Stand-out item was the gold boxing belt won by Welsh boxer Johnny Chislett, a regular star performer at pre-war bouts in Plymouth at the city’s famous Cosmopolitan Gym. It was bought for £7,500, achieving its estimate. Another lot which attracted global interest via the internet was a pair of German World War...
MODEL CAR COLLECTION IS LICENSED TO THRILL
A collection of model cars which featured in the James Bond blockbusters has been licensed to thrill bidders at a Plymouth auction next month. The 112 vehicles, each in their own plastic cases, are among the highlights of the October 9 sale being held at Plymouth Auction Rooms. The diecast collection is made up...
ECLECTIC JANUARY AUCTION 2014
A fan's encounter with a legendary singer in Plymouth could hit the right note at auction next week. Stan Ozanne was a huge admirer of Frankie Laine, who had a string of hits on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1950s and 60s. So when the singer appeared at the city's former bowling alley in Mayflower Street in the late 1960s, Stan was determined to see him. Stan, 78, said: "Frankie was such a powerful singer - he didn't need a microphone. "After his show I managed to have...
SOLD £1,100
SURPRISES & HIGH PRICES AT SEPTEMBER SALE.
A wealth of Chinese collectors had registered for online bidding at Plymouth Auction Rooms last week. Several oriental lots were on offer which included mixed lot of 8 pieces of Chinese porcelain. In amongst the collection was a simple 19th porcelain teapot. Entered to auction by a local family with a guide of only £50. The lot attracted a frantic amount of live internet bidding with it finally selling to a specialist in London for a remarkable £900. From the same home came a carved Chinese ivory figure of...
BLUE BIRD MODEL AND AUTOGRAPH - AUCTION SEPTEMBER 2017.
British racing motorist Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948) gained the world speed record on land and on water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using vehicles called Blue Bird. A diecast model of a Blue Bird by Britain’s is to be sold along with an original autograph of Malcolm Campbell, they were discovered together in an old family toy chest by the grandson of close friends of the Campbell’s. Condition poor but a real collectors lot!
James Thomas and John Chislett with the boxing belt.
BOXING BELT SELLS TO ONE OF PLYMOUTH'S FAMOUS BOXING FAMILIES
One of Plymouth’s most famous boxing families has scored a knockout – after clinching the sale of a precious piece of fighting memorabilia at auction in the city. Glynn Thomas, whose father James was a former boxer who used to run Devonport Boxing Club, successfully bid £7,500 to land the gold belt won by Welsh boxing legend Johnny Chislett.
Detail of a pair of tall King House psot from Papa New Guinea that Sold to an internet bidder for £2,100
LIVE INTERNET BIDDING YIELDS RECORD BREAKING MAY COLLECTORS AUCTION
With some 213 bidders registered to bid live on the internet and a further 150 bidders registered directly with our saleroom we anticipated that the May Collectors auction would be busy.However in almost twenty years we have rarely seen such a huge amount of bidding throughout an auction with almost 40% of sold lots going to online buyers.As auctioneers we have recognised the need to invest in the facility of...
Some of the Moorcroft Pottery at the January Sale
9,080 VISITORS TO OUR WEBSITE IN JANUARY 2012
Our online sales are attracting a huge amount of interest with an ever increasing number of bidders registering to bid live at our sales. This month so far we have seen over 9,000 visitors to our website with 5,627 unique visits and 48.25% new visitors.View all the ResultsThe internet promotion of our sales has generated many more enquiries directly from collectors for all manner of items but in particular silver, jewellery, pocket and wrist watches, clocks, models and toys.Only last week we saw a Moorcroft collection go for over £6,500 and a Wade collection for over £2,700. There were many notable prices at...
Lot 272 William Moorcroft Pomegranate Vase SOLD £2,000
VIEW AUCTION NEWS ON FACEBOOK.
Please like us on Facebook for daily up dates on Auction News. and interesting auction lots.
This diamond solitaire ring sold for £1,500
SOLD £24,500 19th September 2012
FINE LENKIEWICZ SELF PORTRAIT SELLS FOR £24,500.
Lot 50 attracted tremendous pre sale interest at the art auction on 19th September. A stunning self portrait painting by Robert Lenkiewicz from his private studio. Our pre sale valuation of £17,000-£20,000 was comfortably surpassed when an East Devon collector standing in the saleroom out bid three telephone bidders and a strong commission bid to win the lot for a respectable £24,500 (£29,400 including premium).Other sales including another smaller self portrait £8,800, two painter with Karen Ciambriello paintings at £3,000 and £4,500 and Study of Esther with Candles at...
12th June Lot 21 JAMES STARK ( 1794-1859) oil
EAST ANGLIA ART COMES TO PLYMOUTH
Works by two of East Anglia’s most collectable artists are set to go under the hammer at an auction in June.Coming up for sale at The Plymouth Auction Rooms is an oil on panel painting by English landscape artist James Stark (1794 – 1859) a key member of the Norwich School, the first provincial art movement in Britain whose members were inspired by the Norfolk landscape.The painting, in an original gilt frame bearing the artist’s name, is unusual because many of the Norwich School works were acquired by the Colman’s mustard dynasty and rarely come to market....
The rare large German Navigator's Watch, auction 4th September.
GERMAN AIRCREW NAVIGATOR'S WATCH TO BE SOLD IN SEPTEMBER
A German aircrew navigator’s watch acquired by a British despatch rider who saw action in Europe and North Africa during World War Two is set to attract bids from around the world when it is auctioned in Plymouth. The large black faced timepiece was issued to Luftwaffe airmen ahead of missions, and would have been worn over their flying suits as they carried out bombing raids and attacks on targets.
The SS Newbiggin of Newcastle by William Pearn unloading coal on Plymouth's Barbican in 1890. Auction 28th May.
PLYMOUTH BARBICAN VIEWS FROM THE 19th & 20th CENTURIES.
Two fine paintings depicting views of Sutton Harbour on Plymouth's Barbican are to be auctioned in May at Plymouth Auction Rooms. A fine 19th century oil painting by Westcountry artist William Pearn depicts the SS Newbiggin of Newcastle unloading coal alongside the east quay which is now home to the Sutton Harbour Marina. The historic painting is dated 1890 and depicts coal wagons on the quay running on the original tram rails which can still be...
Lot 108 An Irish guards gold laced Drum Majors Scarlet Tunic, named to 'Drum Major P. Brennan`
COLLECTION OF MILITARIA FOR SALE AS OWNER DOWN SIZES
A fascinating collection of militaria and collectors’ items are to be sold in Plymouth next month as a result of as South Devon man downsizing. The gentleman has passionately collected all manner of military uniform, hats, memorabilia, models and even weapons over many years but the time has come for him to thin out the collection. Notable items include a QEII Irish Guards Corps of Fifes and Drums scarlet drummers...
SOLD £10,700 MEDALS TO FLIGHT LIEUTENANT BOB POULTON DFC
BATTLE OF BRITAIN GROUP OF MEDALS SELL FOR £10,700 IN BOUYANT NOVEMBER AUCTION
VIEW RESULTSWe held a very successful auction this week, attracting high numbers of UK and International Bidders, our website recorded some 10,513 visitors with 6,148 unique visitors.Demands this years have been consistingly high for silver, watches, clocks, medals, collectors items and this sale produced many high results well over our estimates.Some notable sales includedThe Medal SectionThe Battle of Britain DFC Group -£10,700
Fidel Castro Sold £6,900.
FIDEL CASTRO SELLS FOR £6,900.
A staggering price for a rare Doulton Character Jug was achieved at Plymouth Auction Rooms this week.Numerous collectors from Australia, Italy, London and America registered to bid on the 30 rare Royal Doulton character jugs collected by a Plymouth gentleman who had decided to sell his collection. The highlight of the sale was...
LOT 548 RIFLEMAN REGINALD LEWIS-KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME 1917, TO BE SOLD ON 20TH FEBRUARY
GERMAN AND BRITISH MILITARIA HEADLINES THE FEBRUARY AUCTION
The February auction will feature a fascinating array of German and British military collectables. The sale will include a private collection of German daggers, swords and badges which were collected over several years by the late father of a Plymouth Gentleman. The collection is expected to raise £2,000-£3,000.Our recent medal valuation day proved successful when a number of British medals were appraised and entered for sale. Many of which have come direct from family descendants and being offered with...
PROMOTION PROMOTION PROMOTION
View of 25 local media stories about interesting lots sold at Plymouth Auction Rooms.
Lot 83 attracted tremendous pre sale attention and finally sold for £1,450.
JUNE COLLECTORS SALE REVIEW
A frantic intercontinental internet bidding battle saw Plymouth Auction Rooms host its second highly successful sale in a fortnight. The Jewellery, Silver and Collectables auction on Wednesday came hot on the heels of the Summer Art Sale, and saw fierce competition for almost 600 hand-picked lots. Registered bidders both hemispheres, in countries including Saudi Arabia, Israel, Kuwait, China, Russia, Holland and France, in conjunction with a packed saleroom, fuelled fierce competition for a wide range of items. Among the stars of the sale was a 19th century Fijian war club, owned by Plymouth...
SOLD £2,700.
EXCITING EARLY ARRAY OF LOTS FOR THE NOVEMBER AUCTION
It has been an incredibly busy week since Plymouth Auction Rooms’ last sale, with a host of eclectic and unusual items coming through the doors ahead of the November 20 auction. Chief among them is a rare early 20th century mahogany W F Stanley and Company Fuller logarithmic calculator, which incorporates cylinders and pointers to carry out mathematical tasks. Another standout lot is a George IV rosewood Canterbury. These items, originally used to hold sheet music, remain extremely popular among collectors and should attract plenty of worldwide interest via the internet. ...
BUMPER BIDS FOR JEWELLERY
Plymouth Auction Rooms played host to a lively specialist auction last month, which made close to £100,000 in sales across artwork, fine jewellery, watches and antiques. The South West proved itself to be a treasure trove of outstanding antiques and collectables, with highlights including an antique opal and diamond salamander brooch, which attracted fierce competition from Devon and London bidders and sold for £2,800. A large single stone diamond ring went to a lucky bidder for £5,500....
Lot 286 A fine oval cut diamond solitaire SOLD £3,000
JAPANESE SAMURAI SWORD SELLS FOR £700 AT THE JUNE AUCTION
VIEW RESULTS An interesting collection of militaria, postcards, guns and some swords from a Plymouth property sold over our expectations on Wednesday 13th June. Two Japanese Samurai swords attracted numerous pre sale enquiries from UK and European collectors. One sold for £390 whilst the other went at £700. The collectors section was busy with several good results including a box of aircraft model kits at £300, a pair of large deck...
MOORCROFT COLLECTION SELLS FOR £3,700
The Jim Clatworthy Collection of Pot Lids Sells for over £5,000 at the April Auction
VIEW RESULTSThe April auction featured a wide range of antiques and collectables which were well received by a packed saleroom of bidders and some 250 online registered bidders from across the world.There were numerous high sale results including a fine collection of 19th century Pratt Ware pot lids collected by the late Jim Clatworthy of Callington.
Crying Man, Black Mac Sells for £14,000
Lot 129 The Royal Sovereign Collection comprising twenty one full Sovereigns from 1957 - 2003 SOLD £5,400.00 11th December
COLLECTION OF ROYAL MINT PROOF COINS FETCH OVER £27,000 AS PART OF A TWO DAY SELECTED AUCTION
Auctioneer Paul Keen was greeted with a packed saleroom for both December evening auctions which featured fine collections of jewellery, watches and paintings. Bidding was extremely buoyant from the outset of each auction with high numbers of UK and International internet bidders competing with the room bidders to acquire the fine lots on offer. The jewellery section saw a very pretty vintage diamond necklace,...
LORD ROTHSCHILD'S BUTTERFLY CABINET
A large mahogany double sided collector’s cabinet may appear quite nondescript; however its history adds a real premium to its saleability. The cabinet although now empty of butterflies and drawers, originally housed part of the Rothschild, Cockayne & Kettlewell Butterfly Collection ex London Natural History Museum. Lionel Walter Rothschild - Butterfly Collector (1868-1937) Lord Rothschild built a private museum at...
LOCAL MODEL FOR SALE
The Shamrock is the only fully restored Tamar sailing barge in the world. She was built in Plymouth in 1899 to carry cargo on the river. She is moored on Cotehele Quay. You now have the opportunity of bidding for a fine scale model replica on 23rd March. read more The original...
ROBERT LENKIEWICZ 'Study of Jane Short' SOLD £9,100
LENKIEWICZ PAINTING SELLS OVER ESTIMATE
The June art and jewellery auction featured three oil paintings by Robert Lenkiewicz. Estimated at £7,000-£8,000 was a Non Project Piece titled 'Study of Jane Short'. In good condition it attracted good presale interest. Commission bids were left behind as two determined bidders competed with to a final hammer price of £9,100.Two further oils by Lenkiewicz included 'French Girl' at £5,700 and also 'Study of Blonde' at £4,000. A collection of small pencil sketch mainly of 'Mouse' sold over expectations at £1,150, a charming watercolour study...
SOLD £4,000 14th September
FINE WATCHES AND JEWELLERY IN DEMAND AT SEPTEMBER SALE
A Gents Rolex Submariner wrist watch attracted the most attention at the art, jewellery and watch sale in September.Estimated at £2,500-£3,000 the watch was in good condition apart from a small dent in one gold link. This did not deter bidders as three phone lines were in operation alongside several bidders bidding live online. A Plymouth collector finally out bid all the competition to take the watch at a hammer price £4,000. The highest prcie of the sale was left for a fine and large...
PLYMOUTH COLLECTORS BUYS 'COSMO' BOXING POSTCARDS FOR £680.
The collection of 80 photographic postcards that were collected by Plymouth Boxer Archie Le Santo attracted considerable interest at the 3rd September sale. The collection featured many photographs of boxers from the early 1900’s who boxed at the Cosmo Boxing Club, Devonport, Plymouth. The owner was the late Archie Le Santo’s wife who is now 104 years old! The pre-sale estimate of £200-£300 was easily surpassed as a Plymouths collector out bid numerous commission and internet bids to secure the collection for an impressive £680. The same sale...
SOLD £3,400 Lot 331 A Ladies 18ct gold Rolex Watch with diamond dot dial.
Ladies Rolex Watch Sells for £3,400 at the October Auction
VIEW RESULTSOur estimate of £2,000 proved over cautious for a fine Ladies gold Rolex wrist watch at the October auction. Several bidders in the room contested for the watch until it finally sold for £3,400. There were many surprise results at the buoyant auction. A Chinese white jade and white metal hand mirror eclipsed its pre sale estimate following a long internet battle and it finally selling for £1,450. Longcase clocks have become quite affordable in recent...
FURNITURE WITH TENUOS LINKS TO SHACKLETON
A consignment of Victorian furniture from a South Dartmoor property is quite routine however it is being sold by a descendant John Quiller Rowett (1874-1924). He was a friend and the financial backer of Ernest Shackleton's last voyage to Antarctic. The furniture originally came from his home in Scotland. This may add some value to the two good quality wardrobes and a Georgian chest of drawers
THIS ZANZIBAR CHEST SOLD FOR £750.
OVER 600 REGISTERED BIDDERS FOR THE APRIL AUCTION
Worldwide demands for collectors’ items, works of art, silver, watches, jewellery and coins continue to rise. Sale on sale we have experienced an ever growing amount of bidders registering to bid at Plymouth Auction Rooms along with a huge amount of pre sale bids.Our recent sale on 3rd April was typical of the current interest with many lots selling for well over the estimates, mainly due to renewed interest in collectables but also for the huge amount of people viewing our catalogues...
Lot 65 This rare Beryl Cook print 'Fur Coat' generated a great deal of interest and sold for £2,200
SUMMER ART SALE REVIEW JUNE 2013
Press Release Western Morning News 15th June.A tense bidding battle for a collection of work by Devon artist Piran Bishop dominated the latest successful summer art sale staged by Plymouth Auction Rooms. A packed saleroom watched as online and in-room bidders fought for 30 minutes for a range of oils by Exeter-based Bishop, a former student of Robert Lenkiewicz, which made £4,000.But it was works by Plymouth painters Lenkiewicz and Beryl Cook which dominated Wednesday night’s buoyant sale.
Earliest self-portrait of Robert Lenkiewicz to go up for sale.
A sketch believed to be the earliest self-portrait of iconic Plymouth painter Robert Lenkiewicz is set to go up for sale in the city. The drawing of the artist is in a sketchbook of early work by Lenkiewicz, believed to have been done when he was aged around 12 or 13 and living with his family in London. Francis Mallett, chairman of the Plymouth-based Lenkiewicz Foundation, said the work is an interesting find and would be...
20th February 2013 Estimate £5,000-£8,000 SOLD £6,300.
WESTERN MORNING NEWS PRESS RELEASE SATURDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
View Results"With a packed saleroom and several hundred registered bidders auctioneer Paul Keen was expecting a busy auction this week. The buoyant sale generated a huge number of internet bids throughout out the sale resulting in some very good prices particularly in the collectors section. Some 500 interesting lots were on offer many of which were being sold on behalf of executors or from collections in Devon and Cornwall. The first ten minutes of the...
SOLD £20,000
ROBERT LENKIEWICZ SELLS FOR £20,000 AT THE MARCH SALE.
VIEW RESULTSThe March auction produced good results for modern British art with the highest prices achieved for good Robert Lenkiewicz paintings. The expected star lot was the 'Self Portait at the House' which attracthed numerous pre sale enquiries and was finally sold to a collector from Devon bidding on the phone.Other Lenkiewicz works included Anna on the Settle at £7,000, Karen Painting at £5,600, Anna at the House £2,500, Eliza in Red at £3,100 and Study of Sue for £1,900.The surpise of the sale was for a collection of small London scenes in watercolour painted by Grace...
Lot 373 SOLD £3,700.00
VIOLIN BOW ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL INTEREST AT THE OCTOBER SALE AND SELLS FOR £1,900
VIEW RESULTSThe October auction attracted a record breaking amount of bidders and buyers at our saleroom. Auctioneer Paul Keen spent over six hours on the rostrum receiving multiple bids from the packed saleroom and from live worldwide internet bidders for most lots in the sale. There were many exceptional prices in the sale with a high amount of overseas buyers including China, Germany, U.S., Australia, Italy, Spain and France.Notable results included.Large Victorian Dining Table -£3,400.Victorian Bookcase £840. Violin Bow...
Football Caps & Medal from West Ham Legend Goalkeeper to be auctioned
Two England caps and two medals awarded to West Ham legend goalkeeper Ted Hufton are to be sold by auction. Edward (Ted) Hufton (1892-1967) began his playing career at Sheffield but was sold to West Ham United after the war in 1919 for £350, he was known as the penalty king; in his first season he saved 11 out of 18 penalty...
Lot 509 Vickers Heavy Machine Gun SOLD £650.
WWII DEACTIVATED MACHINE GUNS TO BE SOLD OCTOBER 2012
Three rare World War two machine guns are to be sold in the October auction. They are part of a Plymouth gentleman’s collection and we expecting bids from UK and International collectors.The guns have all been deactivated and are in very good condition.They include a Vickers British heavy machine gun, with a .303 calibre which comes complete with its original tripod and ammo box. This is expected to sell for £600-£800.A German MG light machine gun is also in very good condition with a 24" barrel, original ammo belts and oil can, this should sell in the region of £500-£600.There...
INTEREST TAKES OFF IN FIRST WORLD WAR PLANE CRASH RELIC
PRESS RELEASE 30TH April 2013 A propeller blade from a First World War pilot’s crashed plane looks set to trigger a bidding dogfight at a Plymouth auction house’s next sale.It belongs to a seller from South East Cornwall, whose grandfather’s brother was among the pioneering aviators who fought in the Great War, and will feature in the Plymouth Auction Rooms sale on May 8 starting at 10.30am.What makes the item particularly intriguing is that the family has a first-hand account of the crash, and other memories of the war, written by the pilot in...
LENKIEWICZ ROCK' N' ROLL PAINTING COULD SELL FOR £20,000
VIEW FULL SALE RESULTS A significant portrait of rock’n’roll fans by Plymouth artist Robert Lenkiewicz is expected to sell for more than £20,000 when it comes up for auction next month. The oil on canvas, measuring 212cm x 146.5cm and entitled The Rockers, is from a private collector and is expected to attract global attention when it...
LOT 100 5th December SARAH LOUISA KILPACK (1839-1909) oil 'Mont Orgueil Castle, Jersey', 11cm x 13cm Estimate £120 to £150.
JERSEY ARTISTS ON SHOW IN PLYMOUTH
Artwork from two of Jersey's most iconic artists is heading for Plymouth and will go under the hammer at auction in December. The paintings by Sarah Louisa Kilpack and Edmund Blampied will feature in the fine paintings and prints sale at Plymouth Auction Rooms on Thursday December 5. Kilpack, who died in 1909 aged...
This Jacques Staunton chess set sold to an online bidder for £780
IMPRESSIVE LIVE ONLINE BIDDING AT THE JULY COLLECTABLES AUCTION
Our regular sales of collector’s items, silver and jewellery are extremely popular for live internet bidders. We had over 250 registered to bid on line on 16th July including bidders form India, Russia, Canada, Australia and the States. High demand continues for art pottery, fine silver, pocket watches, jewellery and collectable toys and models.There were many notable prices and numerous instances where there were multiple bids online after the saleroom bids had finished.The bidding was often intense for much of the...
Lot 30 SOLD £6,100.00 11th December
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING SELLS FOR £6,100 AT BOUYANT CHRISTMAS JEWELLERY & WATCH AUCTION
VIEW RESULTS
HEAVYWEIGHT IMAGE WILL THRILL FIGHT FANS IN SEPTEMBER
A rare signed photograph of boxing’s first black heavyweight champion, given by him to a former Plymouth dancer and her husband who became personal friends, is set to be sold in the city. The inscribed portrait of ring legend Jack Johnson, estimated to fetch £1,000 - £2,000, is being sold by Christopher Nickols, whose grandfather’s sister was present at many of his fights.
Auction 16th January Lot 140 Lalique Mistletoe Vase
FINE FRENCH GLASS FOR JANUARY 2013
Rene Lalique (1860-1945) began his career designing Art Nouveau jewellery in the 1880’s, often making fine pieces for the famous. He soon began to experiment with glass and opened his first shop in Paris in 1905 making perfume bottles. By 1911 he had ceased making jewellery and established three further glass factories. Using a moulded glass technique he was able to produce a range of frosted and opalescent stylish glass....
Lot 200 SOLD £2,800.00
GONE...FINE LONDON BRACKET CLOCK £2,800.00
HENRY BORRELL (1795-1840) is listed in Britten's Book of Clockmakers as a musical clock and watchmaker of Alders gate, London. A Georgian bracket clock has its brass movement inscribed Hny Borrell. The clock was sold at our September 1st auction. It had a twin fussee movement, striking on a rack of bells. Still working after some two hundred years the clock had a wonderful tone when the group of bells are played. The movement also has a dead beat escapement.
LOT 499 THE ROYAL ARTILLERY SWORD WITH FINE ENGRAVED BLADE
THE SWORD OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARSHAL CLARKE K.C.M.G. ZULU LAND
Lt Col Sir Marshal Clarke K.C.M.G. (known as one-arm Clarke: he lost an arm to a tiger in India).As part of a distinguished colonial career he was appointed commissioner of Zululandsoon after the main Zulu wars.Clarke had many dealings with the Zulu chiefs and was instrumental in bringing outof detention Dinuzulu the...
GEORGE MEDAL GROUP SELLS FOR £4,000.00 AT THE BOUYANT OCTOBER AUCTION
GEORGE MEDAL GROUP SELLS FOR £4,000.00 AT THE BOUYANT OCTOBER AUCTION
The October Collectors auction featured an electric range of Toys, Models and Collectors Items. Demands are currently high for Model Railway, Postcards, Marine and Naval Collectables and also original Diecast Modes, Plastic Figures and Medals.Notables results included Collection of World Stamps £420.Naval Officers bicorn hat, sword and belt £320Collections of Postcards £600, £320 and £310.Model 'clinker built; Rowing Boat £430.Collection of Military Cap Badges £410.Bronze Ships Bell 'Tagalie' 1912 £330.German Luftwaffe Dagger £250.Edwardian Drew & Son Picnic Set £200.Indian Model of a Temple by Nagarathinam £320.19th century Bronze Cannon £2,200.The George Medal Group £4,000.Trophy Miniature Collection £820Siebe Gorman Divers Knife...
The pair Chinese Jars and Covers which sold for £1,300.00
GONE......COLLECTION OF MOORCROFT POTTERY MAKES £5,000.00 AT THE OCTOBER SALE
With a packed saleroom of bidders, several telephone lines booked and a near record amount of absentee bids from the internet it was no surprise to Auctioneer Paul Keen that the October sale was gong to generate some notable sales. · A private collection of Moorcroft Pottery attracted national interest with many lots improving on pre sale forecasts, collectively selling for £5,000 with just four lots...
CLARICE CLIFF 'TULIPS' JUG SOLD £1,000
BOUYANT FEBRUARY AUCTION 2011
Over the last month we have seen a record amount of visitors to our website, peaking at some 9,700 on 2nd February.This interest was primarly for the eclectic range of antiques and collectables on offer at the February auction. An incredible amount of national and international interest in the sale resulted in many of the estimates for the 500 lots being eclipsed with very few lots unsold.There were several notable prices, (view full sale results) particularly in the jewellery and collectables section.Highlights from the sale included Early Victorian rosewood Side Cabinet £1,950.Victorian pine Dresser £860Three Dame Lucie Rie Vessels £1,650Clarice...
From a collection of 48 rice paper paintings selling for £7,100 on May 19th
GONE CHINESE RICE PAPERS PAINTINGS SELL AT £7,100.00
The evening art auction featured four albums of 19th century Chinese rice paper paintings by Youqua, on May 19th. Live internet bidding and phone bidding was intense with the albums sailing past their £1000 estimate to sell to a specialist bidding by phone for £7,100.
A large pair 18th century Chinese glazed pottery Parrots SOLD £200,600.00
CHINESE BIRDS MAKE RECORD PRICE AT PLYMOUTH AUCTION ROOMS SOLD £200,600.00
This rare pair of 18th century Chinese Export pottery parrots attracted international bidders at our sale on the 4th of November 2009. Some eight telephone lines were in use with a frenzy of bids up to £100,000 but a determined private collector living on the Continent beat off a specialist London dealer to secure the birds for a record breaking £170,000 (plus Buyers Premium).