There was a significant police presence at Clevedon’s most recent Interiors sale on Thursday July 25th.
Not that anything untoward had occurred at the Kenn Road Auction Centre, merely that amongst the day’s eclectic offering was thirty lots of vintage police memorabilia heralding from the archives of Avon & Somerset constabulary, of which more later.
In a fast-moving sale which saw auctioneers rewarded with a selling rate of over 90%, it was amongst jewellery that the day’s highest price was achieved; a diamond solitaire platinum ring, the round brilliant cut diamond weighing approximately 1.50 carat, which sold for £1,200. The sale saw the highest prices concentrated amongst luxury items: a lady's 14k integrated bracelet watch sold for £880, whilst a set of Edwardian silver six-person Fiddle pattern flatware, assayed for Sheffield 1901, and weighing approximately 1665g sold for £830.
Collectors of police memorabilia from the era of The Blue Lamp and Dixon of Dock Green were well-served with a selection of police artefact which included truncheons, helmets and tunics, alongside the more weird and wonderful from the world of policing with top price of £240 going to a 1940s cast iron Police Telephone System with lantern. From the same collection – which is being sold in compliance with Avon & Somerset Constabulary’s de-accession policy – came four mid-20th century police officer's Custodian Helmets, which sold for £70; the same price as eight Victorian and later Police truncheons each with turned handles. Altogether, the almost thirty lots sold for well over £2,000.
Arguably the most iconic piece of 20th century police memorabilia is the blue telephone box, thanks to it being the preferred mode of transport for Doctor Who. The good Doctor is now in his 61st year of adventures and the sale contained various examples of Doctor Who collectables from the classic series, which ran from 1963 to 1989 and the more recent re-boot. Leading the way, from the modern series was three Character Toys action figures dalek sets, boxed and in shop-fresh condition, which exterminated their estimate to sell for £300, whilst a collection of approximately one hundred and thirty Target Doctor Who paperback novels, from the ‘Classic’ series, also performed well selling for £220.
Adding a touch of sparkle to proceedings was a large collection of Swarovski crystal animals and other figures. Arriving on one of Clevedon Salerooms’ ever-popular Monday valuation days the large consignment had been divided into thirty-one lots and proved to be the runaway success of the sale, selling for a combined total of over £4,200.
Furniture also performed well. A George IV mahogany and cane bergère chair exceeded all expectations to sell for £650, whilst an 18th century walnut diminutive chest of drawers made very short work of its estimate to sell for £550. Those with more contemporary tastes were spoilt for choice amongst the mid-century pieces on offer. Chief amongst them was that magic name Ercol: a 1960s drop-leaf bureau, of a form so firmly out of fashion if in its 18th century guise, raced past its estimate to sell for £280. Finally, proof positive that Clevedon’s Interiors sales continue to provide a fertile hunting ground for all tastes was there for all to see: a Mulberry lady's Bayswater black leather handbag, trounced its estimate but, compared to its retail price, still remained a remarkable bargain, sold for £280. And an early 20th century printed advertising sign for ‘Cock’s’ boot polish quickly outshone its estimate to sell for £240, proving that, when it comes to what’s popular at auction, as the saying goes, they’re really is 'nowt so queer as folk'.
The Summer might be getting under way, but Clevedon Salerooms shows no signs of slowing down with regular valuation days at the Salerooms every Monday, a further valuation day at Stole Lodge in Bristol on Tuesday August 13th and the next Interiors sale on Thursday August 15th. Clevedon Salerooms next Fine Art sale will be on Thursday September 12th, for which entries are now invited.