Out & About December 2017

Great antiques pursuit – the result Four pairs of winners spent the morning in Hungerford in September picking out items, which came under the hammer in early November. THOMAS PLANT and his business partner Neil Shuttleworth finally got to see which team came out on top, with all profits going to the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice

O ur auction on November 7 was much anticipated by myself and Neil, as not only was it the chance to see our fabulous Great Antiques Pursuit contestants once more, but we would also see whose teams would be the most successful when the items went under the hammer. The saleroom was packed and there was a great atmosphere. The first items to come up were those bought by Moya Tong and daughter Sarah Brooks, who were on Neil’s team. They had spent a total of £150 and with that they bought a late-Victorian mahogany butler’s tray with a walnut stand, which sold for £70 (below the estimate of £100-200), a pair of late-19th-century Asian carved hardwood stirrups, which went for £140 (within estimate) and an Art Deco Gouda pottery charger decorated with flowers, which made £45 (estimate £40-60). With a total hammer price of £255, they made a profit of £105. That was a great start to the afternoon, so my team, comprising mother and son Judith and Owen Palka, could not believe their bad luck when all of their lots fell below their estimates. The iridescent green Art Nouveau Loetz glass jug sold for less than half of what it was expected to at £40. The triangular 1950s silver candleholders sold for just short of the £80-120 estimate at £70, while the group lot comprising an Art Deco chromed owl car mascot, a silver meerschaum and amber cheroot holder in a case, a small German silver beaker and silver-plated and enamelled sugar lifters with Celtic design was snapped up for just £35. With their overall spend of £200, they made a loss of £55. Janita and Brian Thomas had a great deal of support in the saleroom, with friends and relatives joining them to see how successful their lots would be under the hammer.

Pictures: Phil Cannings

They had spent £188 on three items and were really hoping that their choices would pay off; the Art deco marble clock sold for £28, a mid-19th-Century burr walnut tea caddy (£80) and a group of six RAF instruments from the Secone World War made £95. Although the tea caddy was the only item that sold within the estimate, they still made a profit of £15 and were delighted with the money going to such a great cause. Finally, it was Paul and Christine Kinsman’s turn to wait with bated breath to see how their choices fared. The three Victorian and Edwardian bone fans were expected to fetch £120-150 and made £85. Three late-Meiji period cloisonné jars and covers sold in estimate for £130 and the 1950s beech and canvas child’s folding chair sold for £18 against an estimate of £30-50. Their overall profit was £33, after spending £200. Although not a huge amount of profit was made, the teams all had a great day and were happy. There was lots of camaraderie and laughter when I presented the winners Moya and Sarah with their champagne. Neil was over-the-moon with their win. Thanks so much to the teams and Out&About and we look forward to next year’s challenge. I especially look forward to beating Neil. All profit will go to the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice in Berkshire. Sarah & Moya £150 £105 Judith & Owen £200 Loss £55 Janita & Brian £188 £15 Paul & Christine £200 £33 Neil’s bonus buy: The 1950s Triang Lightning tinplate child’s pedal car that Neil couldn’t resist buying went for £75, making a £25 profit TEAM £ SPENT £ PROFIT

Moya Tong and daughter Sarah Brooks

Judith and Owen Palka

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