A bumper seven days of Hansons auctions kick off on Monday August 16 and I couldn’t be more excited because, at long last, everyone can enjoy the fun, writes Charles Hanson.
It feels as if normality is returning. That’s because Hansons will be welcoming Bargain Hunt to our Staffordshire saleroom, Bishton Hall, to film episodes of the popular show on August 17-18. The TV crew visited Bishton last year but guest numbers had to be restricted. Now rules have been relaxed more people can enjoy the bidding drama.
The fun happens outdoors in a marquee in the grounds. People can soak up the auction excitement while watching one of Britain’s best-known TV shows being made. And, to make it extra special, Bargain Hunt will be filming their Children In Need episode.
Familiar faces from the programme – including me – have donated lots for the Tuesday, August 17 CiN fundraiser and bidding is under way at https://www.the-saleroom.com/landing/bargain-hunt-cin-new.htm. There are plenty of Bargain Hunt goodies to be had, such as your very own red or blue jacket signed by antiques experts.
If you want to spend some time with yours truly and raise money for Children in Need, bid on lot 1281 – a personal antiques shopping experience with me. Other lots include shopping sprees with Kate Bliss and Caroline Hawley, a country pub lunch with Charlie Ross and tea with Eric Knowles.
TV treats to bid on include a VIP experience for two at Have I Got News For You, a tour of the Casualty set, tickets for Mrs Browns Boys and a chance to enjoy a live recording of the Graham Norton Show.
Hansons has hosted Bargain Hunt filming on several occasions, mainly at our Derbyshire saleroom. I very much hope this event marks the start of a new beginning post-lockdown. I would love to see as many people as possible enjoy the auction excitement as the blue and red teams compete.
If you do decide to drop by, please be aware that seats in the auction marquee have been pre-booked by visitors. But you can still gain a flavour of the fun, take a stroll in the Georgian mansion’s gardens and, perhaps, enjoy coffee and cake at The Antique Bean Tearoom.
The August 16-18 Summer Fine Art and Collectables Auction features 1,712 lots. They include a major collection of kitchenalia, keys, irons and much more amassed by Major Peter Gardner over 50 years. His giant collection even includes a tin of Boer War chocolates from Christmas 1900, estimate £100-£150.
The beauty of auctions is that there is something to suit all pockets and tastes. Guide prices range from as little £5 through to several thousand. At the top of the scale is lot 1339, an important signed oil painting of a rustic cottage by renowned artist Sir Kyffin Williams OBE, RA, estimate £14,000-£18,000, below. It’s one of four of his works in the auction. They were found in Burton, Staffs, and belonged to Williams’ friends. Together, they could fetch in excess of £40,000.
Williams (1918-2006) was a Welsh landscape painter who lived at Pwllfanogl, Llanfairpwll, on the Island of Anglesey. He is widely regarded as the defining artist of Wales during the 20th century.
Hansons is renowned for its Harry Potter finds and lot 18 is another good example signed by author J K Rowling. It’s a hardback first edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1998. Rowling’s inscription reads, ‘To Angela, Happy 13th Birthday! Have a much better birthday than Harry – J K Rowling’, £4,000-£6,000.
I particularly like lot 1433, all the fun of the fair in miniature. From the Cyril Kempshall Fairground Collection comes this working 1/17th scale model of Noah’s Ark Speed Way. Hand-built and painted by Cyril, it was built in the 1980s, £700-£1,000.
Beautiful furniture shines bright too. Lot 2275 is a George III mahogany serpentine dressing chest, circa 1760, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale. £500-£800. We go back to the roaring 1920s with lot 1072, a three-piece George V silver tea set made in Glasgow in 1920 by JB & S, £400-£600
Clock grandeur comes to the fore with lot 1255, a George III oak longcase clock by William Fenton of Newcastle, circa 1775, £300-£400. Meanwhile, lot 1005 exudes timeless elegance, a 9ct rose gold graduated watch chain with T-bar and shield-shaped medallion, £150-£200
If you like billiards lot 2536 is a 19th century mahogany billiard ball and cue stand, £150-£250. And to demonstrate auction diversity, lot 1398 is a Cunard poster advertising trips setting sail from Liverpool to the USA and Canada in the 1950s. A lovely pictorial piece of history, £120-£180.
If you fancy a trip out, Bishton Hall is located at Wolseley Bridge, Staffs ST17 0XN. Alternatively, watch our auctions live online at www.hansonslive.co.uk – our catalogue and bidding platform. As well as the Bishton sale our online-only Derbyshire Antiques and Collectors Auction runs from August 19-24. Something to sell? Arrange a free valuation by emailing [email protected].
Click here to view Hansons’ Aug 16-18 Country House Auction Catalogue
