Tag: Militaria

Auction and a Response to ClivveW

The catalogue for James and Sons sale this coming Saturday at the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich is available for viewing at http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/james-and-son-auctioneers/catalogue-id-2901714

Today I have both managed to complete the information gathering for our last sale on 29/11/2014 and get the database ready for our next sale this coming Saturday. As part of this I am able to share with you descriptions and images of the lots that did best in relative terms at our last auction. Some of the images included as part of this are not my work. I will mention in the captions I provide when images are not mine.

The second part of this post is a response to the following tweet (I did not think I could do it in 140 characters):

Clivve ‏@ClivveW 4h4 hours ago

The killing fields in Cambodia is why I have no time for atheism.

As briefly as possible: this was an atrocity committed by an atheist not an atrocity committed in the name of atheism. This is in direct contrast to the almost innumerable list of atrocities carried out not merely by religious people but in the name of religion.

Now for those images (and a PDF file – I have taken care that no personal details of anyone are included)

This is lot 13 - the first item to do significantly better than expected
This is lot 13 – the first item to do significantly better than expected

347a 347 ???????????????????????? 344a 344

This is the last image that is not my work.
This is the last image that is not my work.

295

Again, not imaged by me.
Again, not imaged by me.
Another of the ones I did not image.
Another of the ones I did not image.

40 ?????????? 37a

The next three images are of the sewing machine which astonished us all be reaching £140
The next three images are of the sewing machine which astonished us all be reaching £140

Bragging Rights

This item is another not imaged by me.
This item is another not imaged by me.

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In going above estimate this item also went out of my reach.
In going above estimate this item also went out of my reach.

592 581

This was one of the items I did not image .
This was one of the items I did not image .

352

We were delighted when this sold - and it going for above estimate was a bonus. The weight of this item meant that we had specified that the buyer had to collect.
We were delighted when this sold – and it going for above estimate was a bonus. The weight of this item meant that we had specified that the buyer had to collect.

Preparing for Auction and starting to image for the December auction

Today has been a hectic day, with getting things set for the auction coming up this Saturday at Fakenham Racecourse. Those who cannot make it to Fakenham can bid online via http://www.the-saleroom.com. In addition to this it was necessary to start imaging for the December auction since there are only two weeks between the two auctions.

Also a class from twitter: in an example of self-inflicted gunshot wounds to both feet a member of UKIP contrived to mistake Westminster Cathedral for a mosque!!

Here are some pictures for you…

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Preparing for auction and other stuff.

First of all, some good news from the wider world: Sheffield United finally made the right decision regarding Ched Evans – they ditched him.

Although I did some stuff on behalf of the Great Centenary Charity Auction including posting images on their facebook and twitter accounts, most of today was spent working on James and Sons upcoming auction (A week tomorrow at Fakenham Racecourse). The catalogue can be viewed at: : http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/james-and-son-auctioneers/catalogue-id-2901720 while anyone who would like to bid online can do so at:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/my-account/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fen-gb%2Fmy-account%2Fregister%2Fsign-up%2Fevent-2901720%3FcallingPageUrl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-saleroom.com%2Fen-gb%2Fsearch-filter%2Fauction-catalogues%253Fauctiontype%3DLiveAuction%26countryid%3DUK%26page%3D3%26returnToCallingPageIfRegistered%3DFalse

My own personal twitter account continues to thrive, with 443 followers at present.

Now for some images…374 ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

These last six images are of stuff in the Great Centenary Charity Auction
These last six images are of stuff in the Great Centenary Charity Auction
Lot 778
Lot 778
Lot 772
Lot 772
And this is the front cover logo made as clear as I can.
And this is the front cover logo made as clear as I can.
This is the front cover of the folder in true colour.
This is the front cover of the folder in true colour.

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The next five images are of lot 758.
The next five images are of lot 758.
The first four images are of lot 374 in our Nov 29th auction
The first four images are of lot 374 in our Nov 29th auction

374b 374a

Imaging for November Auction Nearly Complete

Yesterday at work was once again entirely devoted to imaging, and by the end of it the imaging for our November auction (Saturday 29th, Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse) was nearly complete. On Tuesday I will be in position to temporarily abandon imaging and work instead on the stock and auction sides of the database so that I the auction runs as smoothly as possible. My Twitter following continues to grow at a spectacular rate, and currently stands at 342, having overtaken that of @great_auction.

I have some decent images from yesterday for you…

261 271 272 273 276 278 279 280 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 294 295 296 299 304 305

These proof coins are sealed in plastic which is set into the lining of the case.
These proof coins are sealed in plastic which is set into the lining of the case.

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These next two images are of one of several old Ordnance Survey maps going under the hammer. I chose this one because it features "Dinosaur Coast"
These next two images are of one of several old Ordnance Survey maps going under the hammer. I chose this one because it features “Dinosaur Coast”

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Local interest..
Local interest..

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Imaging With Three Different Cameras

Two batteries going phut in quick succession, first on the old Nikon that is our official work camera, and then on the second camera I used immediately afterwards meant that with my Nikon Coolpix P520 still at the repair shop most of my imaging today was done on my old Samsung, which after almost 5 years and 16,000 photos is still working as well as ever. Finally I concluded a day devoted entirely to imaging by using the scanner for some small items. I have plenty of decent pictures, some of which I have already put on twitter…

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A tough day at James and Sons

In between unloading the van, sorting stuff for tomorrow’s fair and loading that stuff on to the van I did manage to get some imaging for the November sale (29th Nov, Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse) done. My first batch of imaging was d0ne with scanner as it consisted of tax discs and log books, then late in the day I did some photographing of a variety of interesting items. Here are the highlights as far as I was concerned…

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This hydrometer was fun to image.
This hydrometer was fun to image.

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Just to demonstrate the amount of editing necessary post scanning for best images this is what the unedited scans of a set of six discs look like!
Just to demonstrate the amount of editing necessary post scanning for best images this is what the unedited scans of a set of six discs look like!

674

Log books do not image particularly well, but I include this one as a sample.
Log books do not image particularly well, but I include this one as a sample.

Starting the November Imaging

Another busy day at James and Sons. I have done some database work, and also started imaging lots for our next auction, which will take place on November 29th. Although I am still stuck with my old camera, I still managed to produce some decent pictures. The lost I imaged today were an interesting mix…

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Amazing Autumn Auction

Actually given the weather that title is a trifle optimistic! Nevertheless, the October auction of James and Sons was a MASSIVE success. There will be press releases in the near future about Hornby train sets, stamps and militaria to name but three successful areas. Also look out for related posts on my personal twitter account. The single most astonishing story from the auction concerns a box of loose penny red-browns, with may be a few penny rose reds in there as well, which started at £30 and ended up fetching a cool £350!

I do have some photos for you, but because my good camera is at the repair shop they were taken with my old camera and are therefore not as good as they would be had I been using my camera of choice…

A scene from the walk from Fakenham town centre to the racecourse.
A scene from the walk from Fakenham town centre to the racecourse.
The Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse, all set for auction action!
The Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse, all set for auction action!
This pair of U-Boat binoculars went for a mere £3,000
This pair of U-Boat binoculars went for a mere £3,000
The tax discs had some advance publicity in the Lynn News.
The tax discs had some advance publicity in the Lynn News.
This cake stand sold.
This cake stand sold.
The Fitzroy Barometer was a rare disappointment on a very successful day.
The Fitzroy Barometer was a rare disappointment on a very successful day.
In spite of being carefully presented by yours truly most of these suffered the usual fate of books of auction.
In spite of being carefully presented by yours truly most of these suffered the usual fate of books of auction.
The banner, behind the rostrum.
The banner, behind the rostrum.
The view out of the window.
The view out of the window.
The Hornby stuff was a monster success!
The Hornby stuff was a monster success!

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This lot sold reaasonably well, and just sneaking into shot is the Connaught Rangers helmet which sold for £160
This lot sold reaasonably well, and just sneaking into shot is the Connaught Rangers helmet which sold for £160
This is not an auction lot - it is marble pestle and mortar bought in Dimitsana and now in residence in my kitchen.
This is not an auction lot – it is marble pestle and mortar bought in Dimitsana and now in residence in my kitchen.

Final preparations for auction

James and Sons October auction is tomorrow, starting at 10AM. A full catalogue can be viewed at: http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/james-and-son-auctioneers/catalogue-id-2901719

Today we were making final preparations, making sure that everything we needed was at the venue (The Prince of Wales Sui

te, Faklenham Racecourse), and answering late queries (the latter yielded me some decent photos as well).

All is set for a good sale, with some large bids already in.

Meantime enjoy a sneak preview of some of the lots…

 

The whole of Lot 7 (diamond ring in bag) .
The whole of Lot 7 (diamond ring in bag) .

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Potentially interesting for the chocoholics among you.
Potentially interesting for the chocoholics among you.

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The next three images highlight different aspects of the same medal.
The next three images highlight different aspects of the same medal.

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This helmet has already attracted several substantial bids
This helmet has already attracted several substantial bids
These two Chinese medallions (next four images) have attracted considerable interest.
These two Chinese medallions (next four images) have attracted considerable interest.

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Imaging a Military Aeroplane from a Moving Bus

This concerns my journey home last night. Having secured my preferred position on a double decker (front, top deck, non-driver side) I was most gratified to see a very low flying military plane directly out of my window. The Nikon P520 Coolpix was in its usual travelling place (around my neck), so I got the photo, and another good one of a crescent moon in an early evening sky.

Editing it this morning I came up with three different versions, one of which is going on the @great_auction twitter feed (as anticipated/ hoped we gained our 200th follower yesterday). See what you make of my efforts to get a good image from a moving bus…

This is the original picture, reduced in size but otherwise unedited
This is the original picture, reduced in size but otherwise unedited
The crescent moon was take before the bus started moving, and this image is the result of serious editing work.
The crescent moon was take before the bus started moving, and this image is the result of serious editing work.
This crop keeps the moon and the plane, but was edited slightly differently
This crop keeps the moon and the plane, but was edited slightly differently
This crop keeps the moon and the plane
This crop keeps the moon and the plane
This one loses the moon but instead shows some very diaphanous clouds behind the plane
This one loses the moon but instead shows some very diaphanous clouds behind the plane