Imaging For a Catalogue Cover

The pick of my recent images for James and Sons.

INTRODUCTION

This post is about today at work. There was a lot of imaging to do for the cover of our March catalogue (auction takes place at Fakenham Racecourse on the 30th and 31st March), also a van to be loaded up with stuff for tomorrow’s auction, and I also got a few other lots imaged.

THE COVER IMAGES

The images for the cover of this catalogue spanned a great range of items, some of which I had already imaged but most of which needed doing today. The early lots to feature are 83, 110, 124 and 135, one a framed photograph and the other three military items…

83
Lot 83
110
Lot 110

110-a

124
Both sides of lot 124

124-a124-b

124-c
The naming on the rim of lot 124
136
Lot 136

136-a

Next we come to a selection of…

SMALL COINS

These coins, the first of which is lot 209 and the last 269, we done using the scanner at high resolution – and for safety I did both faces of each coin and assembled composite images.

209
Lot 209

209-a209-b

217
Lot 217

217-a217-b

220
Lot 220

220-a220-b

225
Lot 225

225-a225-b

227
Lot 227

227-a227-b

231
Lot 231

231-a231-b

241
Lot 241

241-a241-b

242
Lot 242

242-a242-b

243
Lot 243

243-a243-b

246
246

246-a246-b

238
Lot 238

238-a238-b

269
Lot 269

269-a269-b

We next have three items of ephemera, nos 301, 311 and 359:

301301-a

311
311 – five images in total

311-a311-b311-c311-d

359
359

We then come to four images of…

SPEEDWAY MEMORABILIA

420cover
Lot 420
421cover
Lot 421
Ex422(2)
An extract from Lot 422
Ex422
A second image of the extract from 422
Ex423
A single badge from lot 423

The last of the new images needed for the front cover were of…

A TOY, SOME PROOF COINS AND A JAPANESE MEDAL

The toy is lot 562, and I was particularly pleased by this choice for reasons that will be instantly obvious to anyone familiar with this blog! The Japanese medal is lot 686, part of small run of militaria in among the proof coins, of which lots 665 and 728 were also to feature on the cover.

562
I was particularly pleased that this toy (lot 562) was chosen to feature in our catalogue!

562-a

665
The full gallery for lot 665 starts here (six images total)

665-a665-d665-c665-b665-e

686
Lot 686

686-a686-c686-b

728
Lot 728

728-a728-c728-b

A HANDFUL OF GENERAL IMAGES TO END

The non-cover images I did today were less special, but a few are worth sharing:

390
An MCC tobacco pouch? Yes – at one time smokers versus non-smokers was a regular fixture.
437
Lot 442(two images)

437-a

484
Lot 484
442
Lot 485 (two images)

442-a

569
Lot 570

Buildings and a Petition

Some more pictures of buildings in and around King’s Lynn, plus a link to an important petition.

INTRODUCTION

This post can be seen as a sequel to “Buildings of Kings Lynn” and “More Buildings of King’s Lynn”. However, as you will see, this one has a slightly wider focus.

IN KING’S LYNN

Our first building of the day is sadly not being used for anything. It used, in the days when such things existed to be our main Post Office (we now have the services of a few cashiers at WHSmith instead), and no subsequent use has been found for it.

DSCN4404

Now we have some buildings near the train station…

Portland Street

DSCN4407
The first of the two pictures I combined to make the ‘juxtaposition image’

DSCN4408

DSCN4409
The Fenman Pub – there is lots of railway memorabilia inside (it is directly opposite the station)
DSCN4406
St John’s Vicarage

From here, since we are at the start of St John’s Walk, we enter the parkland area…

DSCN4405DSCN4429

DSCN4430
The Guanock Gate

DSCN4431DSCN4432

DSCN4433
The South Gate.

On our way from the South Gate to the Great Ouse we get a glimpse of the Baptist Church.

DSCN4434

Looking across the river, we get a glimpse of West Lynn Church (one can use the ferry if one wishes to get closer, or walk down to the road bridge and cross there)

DSCN4436

Near Marriott’s Warehouse one can see the Rathskellar wine bar…

DSCN4427

The Rathskeller, with a side wall of Marriott’s in the background.

We finish this section with a few quirky images from the town centre.

DSCN4410
In spite of the size of this poster the map is next to useless – I know the Hardwick Sainsbury’s well, but could not find it using that map.
DSCN4411
The side of Boot’s .
DSCN4412
Close up of the metalwork.
DSCN4428
The top of the guildhall. The green structure projects the light show on to King’s Lynn Minster at night.

GAYWOOD AND PLANNING PERMISSION

My aunt had noticed a cause for concern in a planning application for something in Gaywood, and as we were heading for Sunday lunch with my parents in East Rudham anyway we went via Gaywood. We actually saw no evidence there of the planning application that had caused the concern, but did see another, for an extension of the pub. The original planning application that had been brought to my aunt’s attention was for a small new build, and these photos from the area in question show, a plain concrete box which is what apparently was on the table would have been very inappropriate.

DSCN4415
The planning application that was on display in Gaywood
DSCN4416
Two brick houses with distinctive features.

DSCN4417

DSCN4418
Trees that may i danger of being knocked down.
DSCN4419
Not brick and flint, but (like the library) brick and Carr.

A PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT HEDGEHOGS

Dedicated followers of this blog will know that yesterday I put up a post supporting a team4nature thunderclap. I am finishing this post by linking to an official petition to the UK government to give hedgehogs better protection. The petition can be viewed here (note and apology to my international followers – you have to be a British citizen to sign petitions on this site).

A Grab Bag

A pot-pourri of a post, featuring my website, mental health, public transport, a new find in the blogging world (for me), human evolution and a few pictures.

INTRODUCTION

I have spent a good part of today working on my website, www.londontu.be, and I also have some pictures that I have not previously shared, plus a few other things.

THE LATEST FROM LONDONTU.BE

I have recently created three new posts that I choose to share here:

 

THE MENTAL HEALTH TASKFORCE

Mind, the mental health charity, have produced this about the Mental Health Task Force:

Mind

MUSICAL KEYS

On Monday evening, Musical Keys had another session for autistic people. As well as my usual i-pad generated strings (cello only on this occasion), the session ended with something new – generating sounds by constructing lines on the i-pad screen for balls to bounce off (for those with long memories the approach is bit like reverse “bat and ball”). Here some photos relating to that event:

A NEW FIND

To give credit where it is definitely due, it was a post by Mike Sivier at Vox Political that introduced me to anewnatureblog, which I am now following. The particular post that Mike shared and that I followed up on was this one. I subsequently also read this one. I highly recommend this blog.

BETTER TRANSPORT MAPS

It was also courtesy of Mike that I found the Guardian piece that led to my discovery of the better transport campaign. One thing they are doing is producing maps which show how transport services across the UK are being endangered. Just one example: in Norfolk, where I live the county council’s transport budget was £4m in 2010 and £2.67m in 2015 – a cut of 33% in five years (and as a regular user I defy anyone to suggest that Norfolk’s transport provision is not in need of improvement!).

A GIF ABOUT HUMAN EVOLUTION

This little GIF, which WEIT picked up via twitter, started life in Carl Sagan’s Cosmos TV series. I have two links for you:

  1. The original post in which I saw this GIF
  2. The GIF on its own.

SOME FINAL PHOTOS

 

Links and Coins

INTRODUCTION

I have a lot of interesting links to share, and some pictures from today at work.

LOTS OF LINKS

These links cover a wide range of stories. Each link will be preceded by some accompanying text.

First up, a really good story featuring Pizza Express. Please visit samedifference and read the full story.

Next, courtesy of the canary comes this story about the UN warning the Tories that their Trade Union Bill could be in breach of international law. It certainly sinks of double standards – OK to form a government on 37% of a 66% turn out but to go on strike you need 40% all those entitled to vote to vote yes.

My third selection comes courtesy of Tax Research UK and refers to the possible nationalisation of banks, arguing that unlike in 2008 it must be a proper nationalisation this time, and the bankers cannot be left in control again.

SOME POTENTIAL IDEAS FOR MY WEBSITE

The last two links and one picture are all stuff that could soon be featuring on my London transport themed website:

From visitlondon comes this listing of “31 free things to do with kids” which has lots of potential.

The folks at disabledgo have provided their top 10 of places to visit in the London Borough of Havering.

As a segue, here is a poster advertising skating at Cheshunt, which could be a nucleus of a post on the website…

Cheshunt

SOME PICTURES FROM TODAY AT WORK

 

 

More Buildings of King’s Lynn

A follow up to my post “Buildings of Lynn”, highlighting some of the architecture that results from nine hundred years of history.

INTRODUCTION

Just over a week ago I put up a post called “Buildings of King’s Lynn” in response to a very nice comment that Faraday’s Candle had posted on my “About Aspiblog” page. That post was very well received, so I now have this follow-up. 

NINE CENTURIES OF HISTORY

These buildings span most of the history of this town. The first two buildings you will see are visible from right outside my door.

CLIFTON HOUSE TOWER

More or less due west of my own “compact” flat, this tower is instantly recognizable.

DSCN3950

THE GRANARIES

Located on the Purfleet side of Baker Lane car park, and one of the tallest buildings in the town.

DSCN3951

THE GUILDHALL

The second most iconic building in King’s Lynn. The checkerboard frontage is unique, although a couple of other buildings in the town have small bits of the same in their walls and there is one church in Norwich that is not entirely dissimilar.

DSCN9714DSCN9715

GREYFRIARS TOWER

The last remnant of the Franciscan Friary, where at one time Nicholas of Lynn, who certainly sailed as far as Iceland and may have reached the American Coast over a century before Columbus, was resident. 

BANK LANE ARCHES

Another remnant, in between Greyfriars and the Library.

THE LIBRARY

An amazing and important building. This construction in brick and carr provides a vital service to the residents of our town.

DSCN9730

HAYES AND STORR

A solicitor’s office in a very handsome building that happens to be almost directly opposite the library.

THE METHODIST CHAPEL

Right next door to Hayes and Storr.

DSCN9733

THE REMAINS OF ST JAMES’ CHAPEL

One wall section is all that now remains of this chapel, which was also a workhouse in the Victorian age.

THE RED MOUNT CHAPEL

DSCN9738

THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST

This church sits right at the town end of St John’s Walk.

DSCN3954

KING’S LYNN TRAIN STATION

This station, which opened in the 1850s, has recently been restored. It is very close to the centre of the town, and there is the option of a scenic route – follow the footpath down past the church of St John the Evangelist, then diagonally across The Walks to the library, down Millfleet to the river front, along the river front as far as the Purfleet and approach the Tuesday Market Place by way of King Street, thereby circumventing the Vancouver Quarter entirely.

DSCN9740DSCN9741

A SECTION OF OLD TOWN WALL

Very little of King’s Lynn’s old town wall survives, but close to Morrisons and the Primary School this section can be seen.

DSCN3955

HIGHGATE METHODIST CHAPEL

Much smaller than the main Methodist chapel on London Road, this building is located just off Littleport Street, still very close to the town centre.

DSCN3956

AN OLD BUNKER?

I cannot think what else this building which sits next to a small river, just off Littleport Street, could be.

DSCN3957

THE LYNN MUSEUM

Admission to this museum, which adjoins the bus station, is free. 

DSCN9743

THE NEW BUS STATION BUILDING

Following extensive redevelopment work (visit this post for more pictures) the new bus station opened in June of last year. This is the building that accompanied the external developments.

DSCN9744

THE MAJESTIC CINEMA

There have been plans to extend this cinema for some time, but for the moment it remains the same as ever.

THE LYNN RESTAURANT

While both the quality and the prices at this restaurant are very acceptable, it is the restoration work that has been done to the building above it that chiefly interests me.

DSCN9751

ST NICHOLAS CHAPEL

This chapel has recently been repaired and restored, and the results of all this work are spectacular.

DSCN3964
There has been a chapel on this site since 1146

DSCN3965DSCN3966DSCN3967DSCN3968DSCN3969DSCN3970DSCN3971DSCN3972DSCN3973DSCN3974

Timeline
This image shows all four large cushions that comprise the timeline – it is followed by eight individual images that show close ups of parts of the cushions.

DSCN3975DSCN3976DSCN3977DSCN3978DSCN3979DSCN3980DSCN3981DSCN3982DSCN3983DSCN3984DSCN3985

DSCN3986
The organ – dates from 1899

DSCN3987DSCN3988

THREE BUILDINGS FROM THE TUESDAY MARKET PLACE

DSCN3989
This building houses the West Nordolk Disability Service among others.
DSCN3990
Not to be confused with the establishment in Norwich where James and Sons hold some of their auctions, this is The Maids Head, King’s Lynn
DSCN3991
The Dukes Head, where the Positive Autism Awareness Conference will be taking place on April 15th. This photo was constrained by the presence of the Mart. After a fortnight in Lynn, the Mart splits in to two to go to various other places around the country – but it is only in Lynn that you get to see everything.

CODA: KING’S LYNN’S NEWEST CONSTRUCTION

A new wind turbine has just been built near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It was built very rapidly – there was no sign of anything there on Tuesday, by Thursday morning the tower was in place, and by Friday morning it was complete (my bus travels this way on work mornings). Here are a couple of pictures, taken through the window of the bus on Friday…

DSCN9982DSCN9983

 

The March Auction: Spotlight on Maps

Some details and images from James and Sons, and another mention of the Positive Autism Awareness Conference.

INTRODUCTION

Imaging for James and Sons’ March Auction (March 30th and probably 31st) is proceeding apace. I imaged the maps that from the bulk of this post a while back, although I am also including something from today.

A BINDER FULL OF ANTIQUE MAPS

These maps form a continuous sequence from lot 391-416 inclusive, and without further ado here are the pictures:

391409409-b408-c408-b407407-a408407-b406408-a407-c406-b406-a408-d416-a415-b411-b416-b414-c413-d409-a414412-a409-b404-c

416-c
Another demonstration of the closeness of Ongar and Chelmsford (see http://www.londontu.be/the-central-line/ for more details)

413-c410-a416411415-c412-c415-d412-b401-b410-b401413-a411-c411-a402402-a401-a395397400392396397-b396-a394399395393-b395-a395-b393-a394-c392-c392-b399-a399-b393394-a398400-a394-b392392-a399398-b397-b396-b399-c393-c

A SPEEDWAY SPREAD

I am concluding this section with the images of a set of speedway badges mounted on canvas which have been divided into 10 lots. Here is a single image of the entire collection:

422-31

Here is the gallery of individual images, including some close ups of distinctive badges:

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The images I have shared above are all for the March Auction, as previously stated, but James and Sons have auctions before that, our main February auction at the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich on the 24th, and a smaller auction taking place at our shop on 5 Norwich Street, Fakenham on the 25th. Full catalogues for both auctions are ready for viewing:

For the big auction on the 24th click here.
For the smaller auction on the 25th click here.

The March auction, at the Prince of Wales Suite, Fakenham Racecourse, is likely be a two day sale, on the 30th and 31st.

Since I have a ‘dates for your diary section’ I conclude this post with a reminder of the Postive Autism Awareness Conference taking place at the Dukes Head Hotel, King’s Lynn on April 15th, commencing at 9:30. I am reliably informed that tickets are selling like hot cakes. After the links below, a copy of the official poster is at the bottom of this post.

  • To book tickets click here
  • To view my previous posts about this conference click here and here

NASposter1 (1) - Social Media Size

Buildings of King’s Lynn

Some of King’s Lynn’s most prominent buildings.

INTRODUCTION

This post was inspired by a comment posted on my ‘about aspiblog’ page by faradayscandle. I will be returning to this theme in future posts.

A SELECTION OF BUILDINGS

We will start with the most iconic building in King’s Lynn…

THE CUSTOM HOUSE

For more about the inside of the building visit this post. Here are two outside pictures both taken recently (the second of them today)…

KING’S LYNN MINSTER

This 12th century church, formlery known as St Margarets, has its own website where you can find out lots of information about it. Here a couple of pictures…

THE OLD GAOL HOUSE

Still on the Saturday Market Place, this handsome building possesses one very interesting external feature. The building is currently closed, but will reopen as Stories of Lynn around Easter time. Meantime, here are two external pictures…

THE GUILDHALL

This remarkable building, right next door to the Old Gaol House, is chiefly known for its checkerboard frontage, but as this post shows, the inside is not too shabby either! Here are some pictures of the outside…

The remainder of the buildings will feature only single pictures. Having finished with the Saturday Market Place, we head towards the Tuesday Market Place, by way of King Street where we feature the Arts Centre…

DSCN9318

Frequently when featuring the Tuesday Market Place the Corn Exchange dominates, but I am featuring just one building, The Dukes Head Hotel, home to Philanthropic Lodge 107. Of greater significance at the moment, this building will be hosting a Positive Autism Awareness Conference, organised by NAS West Norfolk. Here is the outside of the building…

DSCN9319

ST ANN’S STREET

I am saving St Nicholas’ Chapel for another post, so I offer you St Ann’s House and the upstairs of the barber shop…

Our next brief port of call is…

THE RED MOUNT CHAPEL

This chapel, which is entirely surrounded by beautiful parkland always repays attention. here is a recent picture…

DSCN9349

From here we head down the Broad Walk to…

THE LIBRARY

This is the only building in this part of the post of which I am posting more than one image, and both were taken recently. This is one of three libraries that I use on a regular basis, the others being Fakenham and The Millennium Library, Norwich.

HILLINGTON SQUARE

On our way down to the river, where we will finish, we pass Hillington Square, where improvement work has stopped since the £10 million that was allowed for this project has all been spent. Here is a glimpse of one of the new blocks…

DSCN9446

SOMERFELD AND THOMAS

A disused warehouse, in need of renovation. The building is still fundamentally very attractive, and could be turned into something very good.

DSCN9701

Before heading towards Lower Purfleet and the end of this post, a little look upriver to…

PALM PAPER

The direction in which the smoke is travelling in this picture (straight towards town) provides one reason as to why we objected to the building of an incinerator there. What we knew of the company who would have built it had we not put a stop to the idea was all bad (no contracts for anything in their native land since 1995, banned outright from operating in 29 of the 5o states of that native land). Also, incinerators are not a good idea anyway (I, and I suspect a majority of the 65,000 of us who said no, did not think it should be built anywhere). The fact that we prevented this should provide encouragement to others faced with greedy politicians trying to force hare-brained schemes on them (see here for a classic example).

DSCN9702

MARRIOTT’S WAREHOUSE

A warehouse that has been given the necessary attention. As well as good cafe and restaurant this building houses a small exhibition of models of King’s Lynn buildings. From the outside this is what you see…

DSCN9700

THE BANK HOUSE

This hotel his some interesting stuff inside it, and from the outside looks like this:

DSCN9697

THE LOWER PURFLEET

We finish the post with a glimpse across the Lower Purfleet from The Bank House, where these buildings can be seen (a stone’s throw away is the Custom House where we started).

DSCN9699

ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP: BRAXTON VS ROSS

A brief account of yesterday;s episode of Antiques Road Trip, which featured both my home town and my employer. Also some photographs and some links.

INTRODUCTION

Although I do have a few other things to share this post is mainly concerned with yesterday’s episode of Antiques Road Trip, which happened to feature an auction at Fakenham Racecourse (which took place on April 29th 2015).

ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP

Here is a link to last night’s episode:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07027st/antiques-road-trip-series-12-episode-21

For those who watch, I am the person in the red jacket sitting next to the auctioneer.

This was the start of a new week, so we were introduced to the two experts and shown the car that they would be using first. Then the buying part of the episode happened, which features some excellent footage of King’s Lynn among other places.

The episode concluded, as they all do, with the auction. While I do not know much about what happened to these items after the auction I can tell you that following a couple of other unsuccessful outings the baker’s scales are still on the James and Sons van.

The program was well made, and even though I of course already knew which items were destined to be bought for sale at that auction, nevertheless it held my attention all the way through.

A PICTORIAL INTERLUDE

I mentioned that there was some good footage from King’s Lynn on yesterday’s episode of Antiques Road Trip, and here some photos from King’s Lynn…

DSCN9988
St Nicholas Chapel, taken in August
DSCN9986
The Corn Exchange, also from August
DSCN3932
The Custom House, from August
DSCN9354
Taken yesterday
DSCN9353
Taken yesterday
DSCN9348
Taken yesterday
DSCN9358
One of three images of the flag flying above King’s Lynn station, all taken yesterday
DSCN9349
The Red Mount Chapel, taken yesterday

DSCN9357DSCN9359

DSCN9350
Taken yesterday
DSCN9355
Taken yesterday
100%
It is not often that a poll produces this result! – the story was about a Tory lord who was claiming that their daily allowance was insufficient!
DSCN9319
The front of the Duke’s Head Hotel where the Positive Autism Awareness Conference will be happening on April 15th.

WWW.LONDONTU.BE

I conclude this post by sharing a few recent posts connected with my London transport themed website:

The Lost Property Office

Tube Strike over job cuts and ticket office closures – Vox Political

Tube strike over job cuts and ticket office closures – Guardian

My most recent original post – Chingford and Loughton

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN PENULTIMATE DAY

An account of the penultimate day at the Australian Open accompanied by some pictures and some links.

INTRODUCTION

As well as my thoughts on the Australian Open I have some links and pictures to share. 

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

There is one day remaining of the Australian Open. Tomorrow morning our time Andrew Murray takes to the court to play Novak Djokovic in the final of the men’s singles. If he wins, it will be the first time in the open era that a pair of brothers have won the singles and doubles titles at the same grand slam event, since today’s amazing action concluded with Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beating the uber-veterans (combined aged 80) Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek to claim the men’s doubles. Gordon Reid having already won the wheelchair singles finally ran out of steam in the closing stages of a very long wheelchair doubles final.

However, the main event of the day was the women’s singles final. Serena Williams started as a red hot favourite against Angeliqe Kerber of Germany who had ended the run of Johanna Konta in the semi-finals (in reaching that stage of the tournament Konta had done enough to guarantee that she will be seeded at the French Open, as it took her ranking into the top 30 and she will be playing tournaments that she was not in last year between now and Roland Garros).

However, in the event, Angelique Kerber did the highly improbable and beat Serena Williams in three sets. This was a truly superb match (I heard every shot of it on five live sports extra) and I end this section by stating something in bold capitals:
ANGELIQUE KERBER WON THIS MATCH – SERENA DID NOT LOSE IT

PICTURES FROM AROUND KINGS LYNN

DSCN9151DSCN9152DSCN9313DSCN9314DSCN9315DSCN9316DSCN9318

DSCN9319
The front of the Duke’s Head Hotel where the Positive Autism Awareness Conference will be happening on April 15th.
DSCN9320
The rear of the Duke’s Head
DSCN9321
St Anne’s House
DSCN9322
Below this Tudor frontage is a hairdressers.

DSCN9324DSCN9326DSCN9327DSCN9328DSCN9329DSCN9330DSCN9331DSCN9332DSCN9333DSCN9334DSCN9335

LINKS

To open this section I mention a new find, dreambigdreamoften to whom I was introduced by Anna. My second encounter with DBDO came courtesy of Maria who signposted me towards this Meet and Greet post.

I also wish to share this from Ambitious About Autism.

My other links all relate to my London transport themed website, www.londontu.be:

Map

 

AUCTION AT THE MAIDS HEAD HOTEL

An account of Wednesday’s auction at the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, with a few other bits and bobs, including another mention of the Positive Autism Awareness Conference.

INTRODUCTION

Although mainly concerned with the James and Sons auction that took place the day before yesterday, this post will also mention a few other things at the end.

THE AUCTION

This section divides into several subsections, starting with…

GETTING THERE

Given the early hour at which it was necessary for me to be at the venue and the fact that I was not returning straight to King’s Lynn but was instead going to my parents because we were going to a bridge evening at the Jolly Sailors I decided to aim to be on the 5:55AM X1 bus to Norwich, with the more circuitous X8/X29 route, the first of which departs at 6:10AM as back up.

I achieved my intended aim of being on the 5:55AM bus and this bus not only departed on time, it benefited from a clear run along the A47 to arrive at Norwich bus station precisely when it was supposed to. I then walked down to the Maids Head, picking up a few photos along the way as I was in plenty of time…

THE SETUP

All the stuff for the auction had to unloaded from the van and set up in the room we were using (the Erpingham room) at The Maids Head, and a few things had to be moved around for the room to properly organised for our purposes. That and a few technical hitches notwithstanding (mere trifles such as initially having no internet connection!) all was ready by 9AM when the first viewers started to arrive.

THE AUCTION ITSELF

The auction started quietly, with only a few people present at the venue and no one bidding online on the early lots, but the internet bidding started at just after lot 100, and was very lively at certain points – lot 204 with an estimate of £50-60 went for £260, lots 283 and 286 both went for substantially above estimate, and a sequence of sets of penny reds with Great Western Railway perfins saw some spirited bidding involving a room and an internet bidder, with half a dozen lots estimated at 10-15 actually getting three figures a piece.

These are some of the penny reds which caused such excitement.

Lots 597 and 737 both sold very cheap to yours truly (even with buyers premium there was change from £15 for the two lots put together). Here they are…

In connection with these pieces of railwayana, a quick reminder of my London transport themed website, www.londontu.be.

THE CLEAR UP

The last lot went under the hammer not very long after 2PM, after which everything that had not gone to people in the room had to be loaded back on to the van. Then my colleague Andrew and I travelled back to Fakenham in the van. My initial plan had been to get the 17:38 bus on from Fakenham to East Rudham, but because we were ahead of schedule, but not sufficiently so for there to be a likelihood of me catching the 15:38, and because the weather showed its teeth when we just east of Fakenham, Andrew very kindly gave me a lift to East Rudham. I worked out that I had handled some of these lots seven separate times (carrying them to my imaging area, carrying them to the storage area, carrying them down to the shop for viewing, carrying them the shop to the van, carrying them from the van to auction venue, carrying them from the auction venue to the van and finally carrying them from the van back to the shop).

POST AUCTION

My early arrival at East Rudham proved useful – my parents had unearthed some silver spoons which needed to photographed with a view to selling them. I have two picture galleries in this connection, both created from the same set of originals – the first using Microsoft’s own image editing software, and the second, which I unveil for the first time, using my own image editing software, which was designed specifically for use with Nikon Coolpix cameras…

This is the set of images created using Microsoft software…

This was the result when I edited the same photos using my own software.

The bridge went well after a poor start – I emerged plus 13 on the evening (65p at Jolly Sailors stakes).

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY/ CALENDAR

Monday 1st February: James and Sons feature on Antiques Road Trip – episode on air on BBC1 at 4:30PM (should be available on i-player by 6PM) – I am the guy in the red jacket sat next to the auctioneer.

Wednesday 24th February: James and Sons auction at Fakenham Racecourse, starts at 10AM. This auction features a wide variety of lots, beginning with bonds, passing through banknotes, coins, stuff from HMS Britannia, Ephemera and Militaria before finishing with Stamps.

Friday 15th April: Positive Autism Awareness Conference, the Dukes Head Hotel, King’s Lynn – for more information check out the following links:

Yesterday’s blog post dedicated to this event

West Norfolk NAS’s facebook page

The Facebook event listing

West Norfolk NAS’s website

 

CALLING ALL LONDONERS

I have shared some of London mayoral candidate Sian Berry’s transport related ideas on www.londontu.be:

London City Airport

Fair Fares

This is the official Fair Fares piece

Having provided these excellent suggestions Sian has turned her attention to London’s sky high rents, with this proposal for a London Renter’s Union

If you are eligible to vote in this election I urge you to vote for Sian Berry.