A tapestry created by a child 160 years ago is among a host of fascinating finds set to go under the hammer with Hansons Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The new saleroom is gearing up for its inaugural auction on May 23. Interest is strong, lots are flooding in and there’s still time to enter your treasures into what promises to be a spectacular event.
In February Hansons Auctioneers, a multi-saleroom firm led by auctioneer and TV personality Charles Hanson, opened an office in The Pantilies Arcade, home to art and antiques in the Kent town.
Antiques expert Robin Fletcher is at the helm and he is currently busy sourcing and valuing items for auction. Hansons offers free valuations at The Pantiles office on Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-3pm. Valuations outside these hours and home visits to assess large collections are also available by appointment.
Robin said: “We have had a wonderful start. There has been lots of interest in Hansons’ arrival in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Sellers and buyers are excited by the prospect of regular auctions.
“Some fascinating finds are being made including a William IV needlework sampler patiently created by Susanna Tribe at the age of 11 more than 160 years ago. It’s wonderful to think such skills were being honed at an early age. The colours are strong given its age.”
Other items set to entice bidders include a vibrant blue, early 1960s Bitossi bowl by Italian sculptor and ceramicist Aldo Londi (1911-2003); a modernist silver gilt dish made in 1974 by sought-after designer Algernon Asprey and a Paul Storr silver jug on a stand dated 1812 . Meanwhile, artworks include a still life by Erik W Gleave (1916-1995), one of a number of 20th century paintings set for auction.
Robin said: “I am seeing a wonderful mix of eclectic items but one of my favourites is an historic sports watch. The 1970 Heuer Autavia Chronograph watch was awarded to privateer rally driver Doug Harris for finishing the 16,000-mile London to Mexico World Cup Rally in 1970.
“Doug won Class 1 of the race in his Ford Escort 1300GT, the car with the smallest engine in the event. Motorsport fans will also be able to bid on the Class 1 trophy won by Doug.”
The watch, engraved ‘World Cup Rally 1970. Mr D Harris. Congratulations from Ford Britain’, has a guide price of £6,000-£8,000. The trophy carries an estimate of £600-£800. The items have come to auction from the Harris family and provenance includes a photo of Doug Harris’s car, no 45, which was taken on a 12-month promotional tour of the UK by the Ford Motor Company.
Auction entries invited
Entries are invited until May 2 for Hansons Royal Tunbridge Wells May 23 auction. Further sales are scheduled for August 31 and November 21.
To contact Hansons Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd, The Pantiles Arcade, 49 The Lower Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5TE, call 01892 573540 or contact Robin Fletcher on 07876 457481 or [email protected].
