Auction of antiques

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32862, 10 March 1972, Page 8

Auction of antiques

Sir, —Your report yesterday quotes the auctioneer’s surprise at the terribly low prices achieved at the recent antique auction. I suggest the auctioneer has only his own organisation to blame. I was a firm potential purchaser but was unable to obtain a catalogue only one hour after the collection was open for viewing as they were sold out. I arrived at the evening auction at 7.45 (it started at 7.30) with the definite intention of bidding for a particular piece but was unable even to gain entrance so great was the crush of people. A little more thought on the auctioneering firm’s part would obviously have resulted in an ample supply of catalogues and more suitably sized premises, thus more potential purchasers and better prices. I am sure many people share my frustrating experience and I extend my sympathy to the vendors.—Yours etc., D. D. S. SMITH. February 10, 1972. [A spokesman for Campbell Grant (N.Z.), Ltd, replies: “The Australian auctioneer quite understandably based his values and comment on current Sydney prices for a similar sale, but possibly at a more favourable time of the year. Variations of this nature are just one of the hazards of sale by auction. The shortage of catalogues was due to a printing and stapling error which was discovered too iate to enable us to take satisfactory action. The vendors expressed satisfaction with prices generally. Public interest was notably greater than expected, especially with the very important Antique Dealers’ Fair due about three weeks later. However, measures to alleviate the accommodation problem are now being con- ( sidered.”]