Fiona Shoop - How to Profit from Auctions

Bannister, Judith (ed.), British Silver Hallmarks (W. Foulsham & Co. Ltd)

Bradbury, Frederick, Bradburys Book of Hallmarks (J. W. Northend Ltd)

Danckert, Ludwig, Dictionary of European Porcelain (NAG Press)

Godden, Geoffrey A., The Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks (Barrie & Jenkins). N.B., Known as Goddens in the trade

Shoop, Fiona, How to Deal in Antiques (How To Books, 4th Edition, 2009)

Shoop, Fiona, How to Profit from Car Boot Sales (Remember When)

Yates-Owen, Eric and Fournier, Robert, British Studio Potters Marks (A & C Black)

A UCTIONS vary hugely from proper auction houses with several days of viewings to village halls with evening auctions which only have viewings that afternoon. In each case, both quality and expertise also vary hugely. The following directory is divided into counties. Please note, inclusion in these listings is not necessarily a recommendation but this directory has been assembled to give as full listings as possible.

Whilst compiling this directory, I noticed that several auction houses offered to buy goods with cash directly from sellers. Whilst I am sure most of this is perfectly legitimate, I personally would never advise doing so. Never sell to the person valuing your goods, be it an auction house employee on behalf of themselves or their auction house (or an antiques dealer). Their job in that situation is to think of their profit margins, not your needs. Instead, either sell the goods via their auctions or, if you dont feel comfortable, sell through another auction house. Anyone with a vested interest is not working in your interest.

Not all auctions take place in salerooms. Some auction houses use larger venues such as hotels, racecourses and showgrounds. There are also auctions in peoples own houses, such as this superb one-off auction in Fowlmere run by Cambridge-based Cheffins. Its great for buyers, as its more interesting than a saleroom and you get to see how goods look in a more natural setting though Id never want strangers traipsing through my house. Id always worry just what went home with them, no matter how good the auction house and its staff. Its why Id never recommend anyone doing a house sale, even when selling an estate (see p166). CH.

O ff ices versus Sa l erooms

Not all auction houses have salerooms in the areas listed. Some, such as Bonhams, also have offices where they value goods and arrange for them to be sold at one of their salerooms. In this case, ask them to arrange transportation.

Other auction houses have small offices but rent space at large venues such as hotels, racecourses and showgrounds. In these cases, where possible, I have listed their office address so you know where to take goods for valuations. Never sell at an auction house where you dont have a full address to see where your goods or money have been taken.

Choose your saleroom carefully, this extravagant San Demos armchair, part of a suite, and The Beatles guitar would be out of place in a traditional, country auction and the prices achieved would reflect that.

Registration A cts

The whole of Scotland and 10 other areas are covered by Registration Acts where dealers, even occasional ones, need to register with Trading Standards before selling in these areas at antiques fairs, centres, car boot sales and to be a regular seller at auctions. However, you do not need to register to buy at auctions in these places, as long as you are not intending to sell in any of the areas listed:

• Scotland The whole of Scotland is covered by a Registration Act, whilst some cities, such as Glasgow also have their own registration requirements. Ask before selling regularly at auctions
• Greater Manchester
• Hereford City
• Humberside
• Kent
• Lancashire
• Merseyside
• Newcastle
• Worcester City
• Yorkshire (North)
• Yorkshire (South)