Hundreds of exquisite antiques amassed by Staffordshire’s ‘Queen of Hearts’ sold for tens of thousands of pounds in an auction that dazzled bidders.
Some 458 lots featuring furnishings, silver and jewellery amassed over a lifetime by passionate antiques collector the late Margaret Stanhope, MBE sparked a white-glove sale, meaning every lot sold.
Fierce bidding at Hansons Auctioneers’ Derbyshire saleroom saw the collection hammer at £87,000. The premium-inclusive total achieved was £120,000. Hansons said the sale honoured a woman of impeccable taste who believed ‘only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile’.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It was an exceptional collection and an exceptional result. Mrs Stanhope, a former councillor who served in local government for 51 years, had a fine eye for antiques. She adorned her 16th century cottage in Alrewas, Staffordshire, with exquisite Edwardian and Victorian finds. Her treasures dazzled and delighted bidders all over the world. Competition was intense in what I can only describe as the perfect auction.
“We welcomed 40 clients to our Derbyshire saleroom, including Mrs Stanhope’s family and friends, to witness a white-glove sale. Together we celebrated the memories and antique passions of a fine Staffordshire lady. It was joyous. We were thrilled to deliver a result that honoured her.
“Thanks to her community work Mrs Stanhope was well known, Staffordshire’s very own Queen of hearts. So it was apt that top lots included a Victorian silver playing card holder from 1899 featuring a Queen of Hearts playing card image. It achieved £1,150 from a £180-£220 guide. It was among many items to smash estimates.”
Mrs Stanhope’s interest in Staffordshire history also sparked success. The top-selling item overall (lot 243) was a circa 1790 South Staffordshire gilt metal and enamel nutmeg grater inscribed ‘Esteem the Giver’. It sold for £3,400 – 30 times its £80-£120 guide. In similar vein lot 242, a South Staffordshire nutmeg grater, circa 1790 inscribed ‘Peace and Plenty’, made £2,300 from a £200-£300 guide.
Equally sought after was lot 252, a Midlands-made Bilston enamel snuff box and cover, circa 1770, featuring a romantic painting of a couple. It soared to £3,200 from a £200-£400 estimate. Likewise, lot 72, a 19th century gold snuff box and cover, circa 1840 and depicting Buckingham Palace, raced to £2,000 from a £400-£600 guide.
The desirability of quality vintage watches was underlined by lot 156, a 1960s Carrera Heuer gents’ red tachymetre steel-cased wristwatch, which made £2,900, from a £1,000 guide.
Antique jewellery also excelled. Top items included lot 125, an Edwardian aquamarine and diamond gold brooch which realised £1,700 from a £400-£600 estimate and lot 147, a Victorian diamond and gold star brooch which hammered at £1,600 (£600-£800 estimate). In addition, a Victorian sapphire and diamond gold crescent brooch soared to £1,500 (£500-£600) as did a sapphire and diamond three stone 18ct white gold ring (£300-£400).
Charles said: “Mrs Stanhope’s eye for all things beautiful and interesting was also exemplified by lot 171, a modern singing bird automaton music box. It flew to £1,150 from a humble estimate of £40-£60.”
Mrs Stanhope served as a member of Lichfield District Council and its forerunner for 45 years. In addition, she was an Alrewas parish councillor and former chair of South Staffordshire Health Authority based at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital.
In total, her career in local Government spanned 51 years. She retired from Alrewas Parish Council at the age of 89 and is recognised as the longest serving councillor in the district. Tributes flooded in from fellow councillors when she passed away at the age of 91 in February 2023.
Away from politics and community life she had a deep interest in history and developed a passion for antiques, particularly silver and enamels.
Margaret’s sister Janet Evans paid tribute to her life: “Margaret’s parents were born in the Staffordshire village of Wychnor. When she was three they moved to Alrewas, where she lived for the rest of her life, dedicated to the village she loved.
“She married when she was 25 and with her husband, Michael, bought an old cottage, part of which was 16th century. The first years were spent renovating the building and restoring its historical features wherever possible.
“This developed a deep interest in the Saxon history of the village and inspired her to stand as a parish and later local councillor to enable her to address its conservation for the future.
“As a councillor she was always available to the community to resolve any problems and gained respect for the full response she always gave them. She was the only person to be chairman of the local council for a second year and, due to her devoted service to the public, she was asked to accept the chair of the newly formed South Staffordshire Health Authority based at Burton Hospital.
“Under her leadership the hospital and its associated areas were transformed, particularly in mental health. As a result of her work a new ward was created and voted by the staff to be named after her. Due to her involvement in public service, she was awarded an MBE in 2013.
“Following her mother’s passion for antiques, Margaret’s interest developed significantly. She attended auctions and explored antiques shops which inspired a lifetime of furnishing and decorating the cottage.
“She enjoyed a life well lived in public service and at home. As was quoted at her commitment: ‘We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile’. This certainly summed up her life.”
Consign with Hansons
To discuss the sale of one item, an entire collection, house clearance or downsizing, please email [email protected] or call 01283 733988
