Major Two-Day Auction of Tony Martin’s Remarkable Collection
A lifetime’s passion for antiques and art is set to go under the hammer this September, as the extraordinary collection of the late Tony Martin - a well-known and much-loved antiques dealer from East Looe, Cornwall - is offered for sale by public auction.
Tony Martin ran his antique shop in East Looe for over 50 years, earning a sterling reputation throughout Cornwall and the wider Westcountry as a true gentleman of the trade. He passed away in December 2024 at the age of 84, leaving behind a remarkable legacy — and an astonishing collection of antiques and artworks.
Now, Plymouth Auction Rooms has been entrusted with the sale of Tony’s estate, a vast and diverse array of items sourced not only from his renowned shop but also from his home and a nearby cottage, both filled to the brim with beautiful objects.
Auctioneer Paul Keen, who is leading the sale, remembers Tony fondly:
"I knew Tony from my very first auctions over 30 years ago. He was incredibly knowledgeable, always generous with his time, and had a real passion for art and antiques. Visiting his home was like stepping into a treasure trove."
Among the standout pieces are over 50 stunning 19th-century marine paintings, a cabinet of exquisite Worcester porcelain, and a rare collection of around 20 original artworks by Beryl Cook. Tony was a close friend of the late Beryl Cook and played a key role in her development as one of Britain’s most beloved contemporary artists. He even appeared in several of her paintings, famously playing his bowed cello.
In a further twist of artistic history, the auction team uncovered one of the largest collections of Clarice Cliff ceramics they’ve ever seen, housed in the cottage that once belonged to Beryl Cook and later purchased by Tony.
Perhaps the most significant highlights of the sale are four rare Newlyn School paintings by Harold Harvey, each expected to achieve in excess of £10,000. These works were exhibited at the Penlee House Gallery & Museum and are likely to draw national interest.
The sale includes also includes a rare English delftware plate, 'Bianco Sopra Bianco' plate, "A. Bosavern, Looe 1763.", which was featured in the ATG 16th August 2008, edition, see image when it sold for £8,000 at BHL, Exeter.
This remarkable sale offers something for every collector: from Chinese porcelain and antique furniture to 18th-century Worcester, fine art, and modern treasures. It’s truly a once-in-a-generation auction.
The Tony Martin Collection will be sold over two days, on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd September 2025, at Plymouth Auction Rooms.
Bidding will be available in the saleroom and online. For more details please contact the team on 01752 254740 or email info@plymouthauctions.co.uk.
Please click here to read the recent press coverage in Cornwall Live.