Tag: Photography

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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A Family Weekend and a Day at James and Sons

The reason there has been no post on this blog since Friday afternoon is that I spent the weekend in East Rudham at a very large family gathering (my Australian aunt was over, and a veritable tribe descended on East Rudham to take advantage of this event).

Today I did everything I needed to at work, plus making a start on the imaging for the September auction, and benefitted from a rare piece of good fortune in that I left a little early because my colleague who was locking up had to go promptly, and the 15:38 bus to King’s Lynn was more than a little late, so I got home much earlier than expected, and it being bright and sunny, I have been out for a walk.

I have three sets of photographs to share with you, those from the weekend, highlights from today at work, and some from the walk (with very few exceptions wherever I go my trusty Nikon P520 Coolpix also goes), so here goes…

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£5 worth of hand of pork
£5 worth of hand of pork

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Unfortunately due to a mishap we never got to sample this crackling
Unfortunately due to a mishap we never got to sample this crackling

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But we most certainly did get to sample the kebabs that this little lot became.
But we most certainly did get to sample the kebabs that this little lot became.

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Outdoor reared Norfolk pork means precisely what it says.
Outdoor reared Norfolk pork means precisely what it says.

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It is always a challenge to get good shots of aeroplanes.
It is always a challenge to get good shots of aeroplanes.

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This sunflower was growing in someone's front garden
This sunflower was growing in someone’s front garden
These were provided by my cousin Olivia
These were provided by my cousin Olivia

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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

Sunday’s Sporting Successes

After a superb Sunday lunch at my aunt’s place (parents away) I returned to catch up with the cricket, and got the last rites of the match as India’s response to a 338 run deficit on first innings was to be all out 94, demonstrating all the backbone of a jellyfish. What made things even worse for India than the abysmal score was the way in which some of those wickets were lost. One of the last few that I heard was a run out, which in a situation like that is absolutely crazy. 

India looked like a side who had mentally checked out. They had nearly been all out for under a hundred in the first innings (a catch went down when they were 95-9), and in the second they were much worse, because the conditions were better for batting.

Later that night I watched the last session of the European Athletics Championship on iplayer (I refuse to get a TV license, being quite happy to watch stuff at a time of my choosing once it is available). GB had been locked in battle with France at the top of the medals table, but by the time Mo Farah had won his expected gold in the 5000 metres, Greg Rutherford had won the long jump, the men’s 4×400 relay team and both 4X100 relay teams had also taken gold, and GB were convincingly top of the medals table. 

As usual I have a selection of pictures for you…

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England in Command

After just two days of the fifth and final test match against India, England appear nailed on for a 3-1 series win, and a second straight innings victory. Joe Root is on the brink of another ton, and India look like they have already conceded. India very rarely play five match test series these days, and it is starting to show. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who dominated the first two matches is now hardly able to raise a gallop, now bowling at a gentle medium pace and without menace. 

Congratulations to the Indian women for winning their one off test against England. The outcome was more or less settled when England were put out for 92 on the first day although in the end it took some good batting from Mithali Raj to see India over the line (perhaps she could replace one of the men in their currently ineffectual top order?!)

As usual I have some photos for you…

Wader prepares to fly Birds congregate by the Great Ouse ?????????? Taking the long view ??????????
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Swimming Tern
This little beauty was in the Nar Outfall, just where it joins the Ouse

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Butterfly
White butterfly.

Rabbits

fruit tree
This heavily laden fruit tree grows in the less than salubrious environment of the Hardwick Industrial Estate

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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

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.