ANTIQUES
Moving with the times
The auction trade is no different from any other in its need to change and evolve in order to remain relevant and , most importantly , profitable . This is also a business heavily influenced by fashion , with interiors trends often dictating price and saleability . Whilst it is all too easy to think back to the heyday when provincial salerooms could sell anything and everything , and the so-called ‘ brown furniture ’ was flying out of the door at premium prices , it is vitally important that we look forward and embrace the future , in all its many guises .
From adopting the latest technologies as and when they become available , through to trend forecasting and addressing the business with more of a retail eye , there are myriad ways that auction houses can move with the times , rather than allowing the times to move past us . The advent of internet bidding has opened up the international marketplace to the smallest of salerooms in the most ‘ out of the way ’ locations ; yes even the Isle of Wight . Whilst this can diminish the number of people who now visit a saleroom in person , there can be no doubt in its overall positive impact upon realised prices and its huge importance as a marketing tool .
Although it would be easy to sit back and react to the changes in the marketplace as they occur , the key for the modern auction house is to be proactive and innovative . We must embrace our heritage , but use it to inspire our future endeavours , rather than remaining wedded to the ways of the past .
Die Cast Toys
Among the British toy makers who exploited the new technology of die-casting in the early 20th century were Dinky in the 1930s and then later they were followed by companies like Corgi , Matchbox and Britains .
Although now familiar to generations of children , the industrial process of die-casting only came into being towards the end of the First World War . Forcing a molten alloy into a mould under pressure allowed for precise surface detail and strength . In terms of the toy makers , among the first to exploit the new technology were the Dowst brothers of Chicago with the 1920s Tootsietoys range .
Dinky toys began life in 1934 as a Meccano spinoff owned by Hornby . The first range , designed to add trackside realism to train sets immediately captured the publics imagination .
By the 1950s they shared the international market with a host of other factories , notably Matchbox , Corgi and Spot-On from Tri-ang whose vehicles kept accurately to a 1:42 scale . There is a definite hierarchy in die-cast collecting . There are rarities in every field , but it is generally the case that the smaller the factory , the smaller the buying audience . Accordingly , it is Dinky , Corgi and Matchbox toys ( in that order ) which dominate the collecting landscape . Indeed the maroon ‘ first series ’ Foden chain lorry was bid to a record £ 10,200 in 2003 .
Warren Riches :
Ask an expert !
Auction report
March and April were very busy months for
Island Auction Rooms , who took the decision to further develop the Live Internet Bidding systems used during the auction . Island Auction Rooms now use both the-saleroom . com and invaluable . com live bidding platforms during an auction , opening up the way for having hundreds of potential buyers being able to bid live during the auction . Auctioneer Warren Riches was now surrounded by multiple screens and console operators , as well as a full room of actual human beings ! The auction expanded it ’ s global reach , selling to Russia , China , USA and Europe .
Island Auction Rooms
Brass Telescope |
Ivory Okimono |
Rolex Wristwatch |
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Sold for £ 740
Antique brass telescope on adjustable stand , with night scope . Made by Harris & Co .
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Sold for £ 540
Early 20th century 6 cm high Japanese work depicting Hotei , God of Happiness .
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Sold for £ 1,450
Gentlemans 1960s stainless steel Rolex Datejust wristwatch with date aperture .
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Island Auction Rooms , 79 Regent St , Shanklin , PO37 7AP |
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Telephone : 01983 863441 |
www . visitilife . com 53