A Busy Couple of Days at James and Sons 2: Invoicing and Imaging

As well as the press releases I have been producing invoices for the August Auction and have made a start on the imaging for the September auction (Saturday 27th, Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, starts 10AM sharp). This upcoming auction features industrial quantities of stamps (one of the lots I imaged today required 20 shots to do it something approaching justice – it was that big) among other stuff. 

Here are todays images…

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A Busy Couple of Days at James and Sons 1: Press releases

I have decided to do two blog posts today because I wanted to devote one exclusively to press releases. 

There were som many fantastic results at this auction that I decided to split the press releases into categories: Coins, Medals, Militaria, Stamps and a portmanteau category that I privately dubbed “quirkies”. Thus below thsi you can find links to all five press releases and view any or all as you choose. Also I am including full photo galleries of associated images…

Coins montage Coins MEDAL SUCCESSES AT FAKENHAM AUCTION ?????????? Militaria Makes Massive Money at Fakenham Auction Militaria Montage Quirkies Quirkies Stamp montage STAMPS SELL WELL AT FAKENHAM AUCTION ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? 325 330 ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? 511 ?????????? 542 565 573 592 ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? 640 ?????????? 686 709 745 ?????????? ??????????

Racecourse Auction Success

Yesterday James and Sons of Fakenham had their August auction at Fakenham Racecourse, and the day went very smoothly. The database system that has been 16 months in the development process is now functioning very well for purpose – at no time was I more than about 10 lots behind the action, meaning that I was able to produce invoices without many delays. The internet connection worked perfectly, so we got our full ration of internet bids.

After I have pulled everything together today I will begin writing up the best success stories (my role at James and Sons could be described as at least a quadruple one – database developer, data input clerk, imager and press release creator). Without as yet revealing any content I can say that Coins, Medals, Militaria and Stamps will all definitely feature. 

I have some pictures from the auction venue for you…

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Auction Preparation

I have done no new imaging today because I have been getting my database in order before James and Sons August Sale takes place on the 27th at Fakenham Racecourse. A full catalogue of the sale can be viewed at www.the-saleroom.com by searching live auctions until you find the name James and Sons.

I have a working bid book, and will print off pre-auction Vendor Advice Notes tomorrow morning.

A new advert, principally for James and Sons upcoming auction but also making mention of the Great Centenary Charity Auction, will be in the EDP on Saturday and can be viewed now on the following link: http://www.greatcharity.org/advert/

By way of pictures, as I have nothing new from today I will offer for your inspection the full gallery on the Scouting regalia and a couple of other pictures of similar vintage, plus putting the advert itself up here as well…

Advert Badges Uniform Cap Badge ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? Scout Montage

A productive day

Even though half of today was spent at Raynham Hall, I still got plenty done at James and Sons (and have some pictures of new donations to edit later). I should get some database time tomorrow, as well as on Thursday and Friday, which will get the stock database complete and (I hope) get me started on the auction side of things in advance of the sale. I then have Tuesday of next week to finish things off in terms of advance preparation.

The Great Centenary Charity Auction is starting to look reasonably healthy, and I will have some new material for social media before long.

As usual I have some pictures for you…

355 - Stamps 355a - stamps ?????????? 355c ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? 396 - coins 398 - Post History 398a - Post History 398b - Post History 399 - Post History 501 - Medals/ Militaria 519 583 - Militaria Medals - 588 Postcards/ Militaria 590 - Medals

A hectic end to a hectic work week

No further progress on the database front today, but lots of imaging, and resolving queries (for the last hour, after the new images had gone off to ATG Media).

The lots I imaged today covered a very wide range and left me spoilt for choice as to what to include.

I notice that India, needing a win in the final test at The Oval to square the series are currently 125-9 (albeit having been put in, unlike in the previous test, when  they chose to bat first and did not do a whole lot better). I also note, encouragingly for England, that it has been Woakes and Jordan who have done most of the damage (or been the principle beneficiaries of poor Indian batting?) rather than the much more established Broad and Anderson.

Now for those pictures…

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Coins
some very

More coins ?????????? 359 - Stamps Ornate sword Sword inscription ?????????? ?????????? 751 751a 762 - Railwayana/ Toys ?????????? 763 - watch

764 - watch
This watch has its original box as well.

Medals - 521 745 - Ephemera 748 - Ephemera 348 - coins 348a - coins

Full Steam Ahead for August Auction

I got to image some very quirky lots, including what we think is a Bar Billiards set, and one or two other very interesting items. I have also continued to make progress on the database front.

Here are some of the quirky things I imaged today…

199 ?????????? 349 - coins 349a - coins 350 350a 376 - Stamps/ Postal History 595 - Militaria 595a - militaria 596 596a 597 637 - Ephemera 637 - Ephemera

Bar Billiards?
Bar Billiards?

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Making good progress on August auction

Having gone in for an extra day this week (yesterday), I am making good progress on the August auction. My stock database now has full details of over 400 lots, so I am fairly confident of having it complete by the end of the week, which will enable me to produce pre-auction vendor advice notes (and ultimately, when I have full details of advance bids, a bid book). 

I also did some imaging of course, and have some fine pictures to share with you all…

Bulk coin lots of this nature are best handled by selecting a few choice specimens to do close ups of and photographing the whole lot.
Bulk coin lots of this nature are best handled by selecting a few choice specimens to do close ups of and photographing the whole lot.

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337 - coins
This lot was so large it had to photographed in two tranches and the two images then joined together.

337a - coins 337p1 - coins 337p2 - coins 338 - coins

338a - coins
Pre-decimal pennies across the ages from Victoria to Elizabeth II

335 - coins 338a - coins 340 - coins 340a - coins

340b - coins
The Royal Mint insignia in all it’s glory
341 - coins
Five ceremonial coins – four crowns and a 50p (centre)

342 - coins 342a - coins 342b - coins 342c - coins 592 - medals and militaria 592a - medals

592s
This is the first of a series of special images of these medals I have produced for use in publicity – there are four in total, this one, one of each set of medals and a 400dpi scan of the big set of medlas

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Debenhams
These windows belong to Debenhams, and I am probably the only person who regularly gets to see them.
Debenhams close up
A close up shot o one of the three panels.

A productive day at James and Sons

I have had a very productive day at James and Sons. I spent the morning imaging for our next auction and the afternoon working on the stock database for the same.

As a result of this work I have some good images to share with you, leavened with some not work related…

47 53 53p1 53p2 ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? 343a Coins close 716 ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? Full Moon 1 Full Moon 2

Preparing for August Auction

I am now deep into preparing for the August auction at James and Sons. I have about 140 lots already in my Stock database for this auction, and have also streamlined the input process in the Auction side of the database.

As usual I have plenty of pictures to share with you…

Magpie Bird ?????????? ?????????? Aeroplane

Small birds
Two small birds.
Seagull on Chimney
Seagull on Chimney

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Corn Exchange Statue
This statue sits atop the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn

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64
This postcard album forms the bulk of lot 64, but there were three other images of loose cards as well.

64a 64b 64c

This collection of coins is lot 251
This collection of coins is lot 251ds