Posts by Harry Ball

‘There’s nothing quite like it. The gavel falls and everybody knows’

There are few people more passionate and enthusiastic about the world of valuing and auctioneering than Richard Worrall. It is people like him who keep the industry going.  Richard is the president of NAVA (National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers), which is just one of the organisations under the umbrella of Propertymark, who also oversee the NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) and ALA (Association of Rental Letting Agents). NAVA is a professional self-regulating body for valuers and auctioneers across all different types of auctions. Typically, when one thinks of an auction, they would picture antiques and unusual pieces that might appear to have little use outside of being collectors’ items. But, as Richard explains on the Gavel and Gabble podcast, in fact, auctions are far more involved in your everyday life than you might know. Did you have any fish for dinner this week? Chances are it has been auctioned and traded through one of the UK’s fish auctions. Or did you fancy steak instead? It’s likely that steak went through a livestock auction. Auctions date back to around 500 BC, although the first auctions were not particularly forward thinking, as they were predominantly used to find or auction off wives. The Romans then got involved, which is where the word auction comes from, deriving from the Latin word augeo meaning I increase. Nowadays, the world of auctions is diverse and varied from agricultural auctions, lifestyle, cars, distressed goods, fine instruments, fine art and the list goes on. And ultimately, auctions now represent the greatest recycling business in the world. If you were to go to somewhere like IKEA and buy a chair, not only will it be a far-cry from the quality of the kind of Victorian chair that might be found at auction, but when it inevitably goes wrong or breaks, it will end up at the tip. Whereas at auction houses, like our one here at Windsor Auctions, we can offer beautiful pieces of furniture with wonderful craftsmanship that have been passed down generations and won’t go to waste. Richard first found himself hooked on auctions around six or seven years old when he was taken along by his grandfather and his zeal for the...

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OUTSTANDING SUBSCRIPTION OFFER TO THE ANTIQUES TRADE GAZETTE

THE GAVEL AND THE GAVEL EPISODE 54   Unearthing gems to sell at auction, might seem like a game of chance, but there are certain locations you can look in to increase your luck.   According to Matt Ball of the Antiques Trade Gazette, after surveying 100 great finds over the past five years, 75% of these items are found in people’s homes and to narrow it down further than that, 50% are found in four locations.   The first of these are attics or lofts.   Stashed in a loft for almost 50 years, one lucky seller found a very important piece of entertainment memorabilia, which was the first ever demo tape of David Bowie’s ‘Starman’, and it sold for £41,000.   Found in a French home’s attic, a tunic, which was still in very good condition, made for the Chanel 1922 Spring collection was sold in Paris last year for a staggering €100,000, equivalent to £86,000.   Next up is boxes and tins.   A sapphire and diamond ring was discovered in a box with a load of costume jewellery, and it could be quite difficult for the average person to determine the difference between something bog-standard and something special, and so you need an experts eye, but in this case it was certainly special as it sold for £15,000.   One of the more unusual places an item of value was found was a bread bin and the item in question was the first ever demo tape of David Bowie singing lead vocals, unearthed by the drummer of the band, and it sold for £39,600.   The third spot Is Garages and out-buildings.   A Louis Vuitton trunk was found in a garage and it was earmarked to be thrown out until it was noticed by us here at Windsor Auctions and after getting it cleaned up, it sold for £8000.   Another peculiar find was a children’s push car, it was hardly recognisable and looked like an old rust bucket, but it was a rare model and so sold for £8500.   It’s important to remember that just because something might not hold worth for you, it could be the final piece of another person’s...

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July News 2023

It has been a very busy few months for the team here at Windsor Auctions when we are not auctioneering, appraising or clearing houses, we are delighted to be supporting various charities and  local organisations. The beginning of June saw us head up in to Windsor Great Park to supply compere’s for the hugely impressive Royal Windsor Flower Show and what an impressive job the team behind the show did. It was a joy to be part of an Auctioneer Harry, backed up by Will had great fun all day and quite a substantial amount of cake as well !! It was lovely to see so many of our customers and thank you so much for coming over to say hi. We would really suggest putting next years event, https://rwrhs.com/flower-show/ in your diary we know that the keen bakers and plant growers on our team will be entering the competitions will be there on the 8th June 2024. We have also been lucky enough to be invited to auctioneer at a number of charity auctions this month and in this difficult times have been overwhelmed by the generosity of those bidding. We sent Harry to Royal Ascot Golf Course at the invitation of Michael Hawkins and Ascot BNI to auction after their busy golf day and a great crowd to raise money for the charity Parenting Special Children Next we sent him to a lovely evening at Windsor Guild Hall to raise money for humanitarian aid charity Embrace Me Foundation who were set up to send aid to Ukraine again a lovely crowd raised thousands in order to send yet more essential ambulances. The highlight of Harry’s evening was auctioning a Brian May of Queen signed guitar and the generosity of the room. We understand from the organisers that they are putting together another even bigger event in September/October this year, watch this space and we will let you know all about it. Next we are sending Harry off to Windsor & Eton Bowling Club which is always a superb evening and a lot of laughs so we will report back. If you are looking for an auctioneer for a charity event we are always happy to help if...

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April 2023 News

Well its been a busy month here at Windsor Auctions, apart from our usual day jobs of valuing, appraising items and taking in consignments for auction, our House Clearance and Collection team have been very busy indeed. We did take time for a wander around Henley Decor Fair where they had had to battle the elements to put on a great show, we caught up with some of the dealers who buy and sell with us at Windsor Auctions which is always good fun, and saw how much work Garry Wallis and his team had put in. The next one is due in September so pop it in your diary as there are some great dealers and a really wide range of styles and items on offer. Harry was delighted to have been invited to be on a panel discussion organised by Shine House Tours   to chat about ‘The inside track on sourcing the best vintage & antique pieces’ it was a great couple of hours with fascinating people and great questions and all in aid of Stroud Women’s Refuge a charity who offer support to women and children anywhere in the UK. Stonor Park hosted one of its great  Antique and Vintage Car Boot Fairs and again a stroll through the cars and vans looking for interesting bits meant Emma bumped in to lots of customers from the Auction House, it is always great to see people away from the saleroom, have a catch up and hear what is happening in the market.   Simon and Harry continue to trouble the podcast charts across the globe with their podcast about the industry, with some great interviews already out there and more to follow. They chat not only to auctioneers, but dealers both young and older, an upholsterer, and recently a gentleman who runs one of the fasted growing shipping and delivery services in our sector. You can find the podcast on all platforms and if you like it do subscribe, review and tell your friends (If we don’t say that Producer David gives us a really hard time!!) May 2023 is a busy month in Windsor with all things Coronation very much at the forefront of our lovely...

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November 26th Auction Sees Two Very Different Iconic Lots Coming Up For Sale

Diamonds Are Forever  The 1971 Bond movie, Diamond are Forever saw actress Jill St John wear a number of iconic Bond Girl outfits and we are delighted to be be bringing two of these two market on Saturday 26th November. Both items were owned by Assistant Director on the movie, Derek Cracknell and are now being sold by his family, our photos show the dress being worn by both Derek’s wife and his daughter Sarah Cracknell Also appearing in this sale is a Baby Doll nightie also worn by the actress in the movie. For further information guide prices and to book and appointment to view these items on 23rd and 24th November give us a call on 01753 868076 or email sales@windsorauctions.co.uk. 1930’s British Army Boxing Hero Trophies 22nd November Update THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN UNTIL A LATER SALE We are privileged to be bringing an incredible collection of boxing cups, medals and memorabilia to auction on Saturday 26th November. This outstanding collection were all awarded to Sergeant P B Peters of the Irish Guards who was amongst other things Welterweight Champion Army and ISBA 1931-1933 and 1933 Welterweight Champion ABA. Tragically killed in 1938 in an air crash in South Africa along with some of the RAF and South African Air Force Boxing teams that he was training. This collection of silver cups and statues reflect a glittering career fighting for his regiment in the army, he did temporarily leave the Armed Forces in 1933 after winning the ABA title but found non military life not to his liking which is when the RAF came offering him a role as coach which is how he found himself in South Africa touring with the boxing teams. He is buried in Voortrekkerhugie and many tributes were written at the time of his untimely death by many in his...

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