Whose buying?

Is it the pound, is it fashion… but who is buying?
Viewing in September was busy – the day itself full of good humour and excitement that enhances bidding activity, which in turn pushes those on the internet a little further. Invaluable live online bidding brings in more worldwide bidders plus 5% commission.

The majority sold to the UK, some 60%. The US took the next largest percentage, then continental Europe, then the rest of the world. Switzerland taking honours for the second highest outlay, approximately 20% of the total hammer price which was £1.2 million

Lot 1311 was a pair of Torcoli engraved Fabbri Over and Unders (est 35–45K), which made 52K plus commission.

Lot 1645, a Holland and Holland style gun engraved by Preater, made 45K.

Most interesting was a pair of 8 bore Hammer Ejectors by Joseph Lang, Lot 550, (est 40–45K) which made 45K – amazing, as they are 116 years old in their velvet cases.

The market for antiques is even stronger. Superb Purdey 32 bore Officers Pistols, very rare, (est 8–12K) made £10,000 – bearing in mind Mr Purdey didn’t really do pistols or admit to it!

Remember the pair of pistols inscribed ‘CD’ on the escutcheons that were made for Darwin and delivered to the Beagle for his personal use – they disappeared for 150 years along with their case and accessories ‘still lost’.

No licence is required for these choice and historic items, they can only go one way and of course are capital gains tax free.

Our next sale is 12th December in London. Call me, Simon Grantham, to discuss or consign, 07860 300055.

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