The inaugural sale at a new Hertfordshire auction centre surpassed all expectations to achieve a hammer total of £100,000.
And the star lot was an historical find that celebrated the history of Royston, the town where Hanson Ross’s saleroom is located. The Lumen Road premises, which opened in June (2023), hosted the first Hanson Ross auction on August 4 and won bidders’ hearts.
Amanda Butler, director of operations at Hanson Ross, said: “We were blown away by the interest from bidders all over the world and delighted for our clients. It was the perfect start, led on the day by celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson.
“The success of the top-selling lot was particularly heart-warming. It was an item which celebrated Royston’s heritage. A marble sculpture of a boy by one of the town’s most famous sons, Joseph Towne, sold for £3,400 – more than four times its top estimate. It was guided at £500-£800.”
Towne (1806-1879) is best known for pioneering the creation of anatomical wax models, many of which are displayed at a medical museum at Guy’s Hospital in London. He was also highly skilled in the art of moulage, the creation of mock injuries to aid medical training.
Amanda said: “The sculpture showed a different side to Towne’s talent. We’re so pleased it gained the interest, and price, it deserved. It was one of several items to sweep aside estimates in the hundreds to achieve hammer prices in the thousands.
“Other lots to excel included a Gordon Highlanders officer’s dirk and Sgian Dubh, a ceremonial stabbing knife, items typically worn with Scottish Highland dress (dirk held by Amanda Butler, above). They’re on their way to America at a hammer price of £2,500, four times the £400-£600 estimate.
“Corkscrew collectors didn’t bottle out of battling for a silver corkscrew which also doubled up as a nutmeg grater. It hammered at £1,300 from a £200-£250 guide (held by Miles Wheeler, below).
In addition, a rare silver trophy shot pouch dated 1864 achieved £2,900 (guide £300-£500) and two Dimitri Osmera for Liberty and Co leather footstools in the shape of a rhino and hippo made £1,400 and £680 respectively.
“We were also thrilled to see a Chinese Peking red vase (below) smash expectations. It was taken along to a WI talk and, thanks to strong demand for oriental antiques and collectables, achieved £750 from a guide of £100-£150.
“Results like this demonstrate our ability to gain the best possible prices for vendors thanks to global demand and Hansons Auctioneers’ database of thousands of registered online bidders.”
Hanson Ross is the sixth UK auction centre opened by Hansons Auctioneers. The firm is owned by Charles Hanson, a familiar face on TV antiques shows such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip.
Charles said: “This new saleroom has already won bidders’ hearts. Hertfordshire has a heart for auctions. These are stunning results for a first sale. The response from both vendors and buyers was remarkable. I’m delighted for the Hanson Ross team, Amanda Butler and Miles and Michael Wheeler. Their passion, hard work and dedication has paid off. They’re dedicated to providing exceptional jewellery, fine art, and collectables auctions and valuations throughout Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridge and Essex as well as Hertfordshire.”
Items sold on August 4, 2023 at Hanson Ross Royston Auction Centre, Unit 1 The Power House, Lumen Road, Royston, Hertfordshire. Entries invited for the next auction.
Hanson Ross offers antique and jewellery valuation events in Woburn, Royston, Hitchin and Berkhamsted. To find out more visit www.hansonsross.com or call 01763 430 042.
