Auction in Norwich

On Saturday James and Sons had their September Auction in the Erpingham Room at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich. The auction featured two lifetime stamp collections, a large amount of militaria, some interesting coin lots, three folders of Liebig Company Picture Cards and sundry other items.

In order to assist with setting things up, and to be ready for action at the 10AM start time it was necessary for me to catch the 6:00 bus from King’s Lynn, arriving at Norwich Bus Station just after 7:30. After a slightly slower than usual start (for the right reason – lots of bidding), the pace picked up in the later stages of the auction. On a whim I purchased a tub of thru’penny bits for £7, and a little later a made a more considered purchase of a set of Liebig Picture Cards featuring “Divers systemes de Chemins de Fer” for the same price.

Although the massive lot 83 (all 16 boxes of it) did sell, it went to an internet bidder, so it still had to be loaded back on the van. Overall it was a very successful sale, and in the end I got back to my flat a mere 13 hours after setting forth.

I have some pictures from before, during and after the sale, and you can expect pictures of thru’penny bits, and when the coin in question comes out juxtapositions of thru’penny bits and the new style of £1 coin to feature in future posts!

Swaffham Church early in the morning
Swaffham Church early in the morning
The nearest place to this church is  so insignificant that  I have forgotten its name.
The nearest place to this church is so insignificant that I have forgotten its name.

Dereham Rotary Club clock ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ??????????

A light source doubling up as a hanger!
A light source doubling up as a hanger!

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Most of this headgear did sell.
Most of this headgear did sell.
The Auction Database ready for action (but revealing no confidential information) - all I will enter manually during the day are paddle numbers and hammer prices.
The Auction Database ready for action (but revealing no confidential information) – all I will enter manually during the day are paddle numbers and hammer prices.
This spiked helmet did not go due to having an overly high reserve.
This spiked helmet did not go due to having an overly high reserve.

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This is part of the Norwich Cathedral complex.
This is part of the Norwich Cathedral complex.

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Making use of a renewable resource the Norfolk is abundantly blessed with!
Making use of a renewable resource the Norfolk is abundantly blessed with!

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Auction Imaging and the Birdman of King’s Lynn

I have had a very hectic week imaging for James and Sons, but it is now nearly all done for this auction. On Wednesday evening I got several excellent shots of a hang-glider and I have various other pictures to share with you…

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Penny Black
Penny Black
This was one of ten album pages of penny reds being sold as single lots
This was one of ten album pages of penny reds being sold as single lots

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There were ten of these giant military maps to image.
There were ten of these giant military maps to image.

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In our August auction some of these picture cards sold, so some more are in the September auction.
In our August auction some of these picture cards sold, so some more are in the September auction.
Hollywood Central Cinema aka thye Fakenham Fleapit
Hollywood Central Cinema aka thye Fakenham Fleapit

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Red sky at night - shepherd's delight! I ate supper outside again
Red sky at night – shepherd’s delight! I ate supper outside again

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

Preparations for August Auction on Track

Putting in an extra day yesterday was well worth it. I will definitely, even allowing for hitches, be able to produce a complete set of pre-auction Vendor Advice Notes by the end of today, and almost all the images are done.

Although most of yesterday’s images were done using the scanner, there was one lot that warranted the use of the camera, one image from which gallery I include in the added media. 

Edith Cavell
This is one of the postcards from the album that is lot 200.

621 623 664 668 670

six menus in one lot - two scans and then a bit of crafty editing
six menus in one lot – two scans and then a bit of crafty editing
First scan - four menus that just fit on one scan.
First scan – four menus that just fit on one scan.
Second scan - these two menus fit rather more comfortably on the plate than the other four
Second scan – these two menus fit rather more comfortably on the plate than the other four

726 729 730 736 737 738

Dumb Post
This and 740 were done together.

740

Logo
This central logo caught my eye, so I did a subsidiary image to show it on it’s own.

 

 

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…

?????????? Roman Jars Coins (344) ?????????? Coins

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.