Love is in the air and nowhere more strongly than here in Derbyshire. Perhaps Cupid should be my middle name because every February – just before Valentine’s Day – objects emerge awash with romance.
The talk of our Etwall saleroom right now is the discovery of an extremely rare, hand-painted and embossed Dobbs Valentine card dated February 14, 1818.
It truly is a beautiful thing. It’s one of the finest early Valentines I have ever laid eyes on, and it’s in excellent condition given its age. Naturally, it features words of love, hearts and flowers. However, the eloquent plea to the mystery lady in question is not, perhaps, quite what you would expect.
I can imagine the lovelorn suitor now, carefully sealing the envelope by candlelight in a bid to woo his beloved. This is what he had to say to her 202 years ago under the title, ‘An affectionate Pledge of Unfeigned Attachment’:
‘From him who upon the return of another Valentine’s Day, looks forward with pleasure to the time when his hopes may be realised; & at the alter of Hymen (Greek god of love) he shall receive the hand accompanied with the heart of her for whom he feels – not a wild and romantic love, which abates after a short acquaintance – but an affection which time increases rather than diminishes.’
What a sensible chap. No flash in the pan. He reminds me of Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy. The card provides a little inspiration for suitors today ahead of the big day. Did he win his maiden’s heart with those humble words of lasting devotion? We shall never know but on Friday, February 14 this rare early Valentine will go under the hammer at our Etwall Auction Centre – and the world will be watching.
This time last year true romance triumphed when one of the world’s oldest surviving Valentine cards sold for 36 times its estimate at Hansons. The 230-year-old card, circa 1790-1810, had a guide price of £200-£300. However, after a lovestruck bidding battle, it secured a hammer price of £5,800. With buyer’s premium and VAT, the total paid was £7,192.
This newly discovered Valentine is equally special and now it seeks the perfect partner, perhaps to buy it for a loved one. Its guide price is still being assessed by our works on paper specialist Jim Spencer but, if you want to impress your true love, do enquire!
Discoveries like this not only enrich our knowledge, they make history tangible. Valuable objects from centuries ago are often protected behind glass at museums but an auction house offers the opportunity to hold – and acquire – a rich array of antique treasures.
And right now, buying vintage and antique is very much in vogue. I have always been acutely aware of a saleroom’s green credentials as family heirlooms and important collections are sold, recycled and given a new lease of life. Add value for money into the mix and you have the perfect recipe for the green thinker.
The vintage market has experienced huge growth of late, thanks to both trend-driven demand and increased environmental awareness. I would be nice to see auction houses gain acknowledgement for the contribution they make to this trend.
If you would like to play your part, our February sales get under way on Thursday (Feb 13) with a silver and jewellery auction – and you might just find the perfect Valentine gift.
There’s always a fine array of vintage and antique finds to choose from and you can often find affordable designer items.
Right now, our jewellery team is looking back 100 years to take inspiration from the roaring 20s and Jazz Age to gather objects to celebrate Art Deco style in our March 31 Fine Jewellery Auction.
Art Deco jewellery conjures images of geometric designs, diamonds, coloured gemstones, jade, double-clip brooches, jabot pins, cocktail watches, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arples, Boucheron and satori necklaces. Sautoir is a French term for a long necklace that suspends a tassel or ornament.
Flappers wore row upon rows of pearls in a decade of powerful new style trends, hems lifted from the floor, short and chic hairstyles emerged and jewellery embraced a new era of design and innovation.
But we shouldn’t forget jewellery for men either. A few days ago, a wonderful gold buckle ring arrived at our door. It once belonged to former Derby mayor Alderman John Henry Higginbottom Grant. With it was his 1929-30 mayor’s medal. Sadly, records show he died in office in 1930.
Its owner found the items in a drawer and wondered if they were of any value. They are currently being assessed by our experts to ensure the correct guide price. Our valuer, Karl Martin, was amazed. What a wonderful historical Derby find.
Both items arrived in their original boxes. The medal was from Johnson & Son, Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Silversmiths of 35 Victoria Street, Derby, while the ring was in a presentation box bearing the name of John D Eaton Jewellers, a firm founded in Derby in 1874.
We’d be delighted to assess your antique and vintage objects and you’re very welcome to browse our latest collections ahead of our February 13-19 Antiques and Collectors sale.
Join us on Wednesday (Feb 12), 11am-7pm, to preview the auction at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS. We also offer free valuations at our Etwall HQ, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, plus 5-7pm on Wednesdays and 9am-noon on Saturdays.
