Henry Aldridge & Son

The Devizes Auctioneers

 

 

 

 

Medals Shine in Devizes

 

Henry Aldridge and Son’s first specialist auction of 2003 saw the same consistent level of high prices from their record year of 2002 carried over into the January 25th sale.

 

This sale was a first for Henry Aldridge and Son, because there was a dedicated section for medals and militaria. Over 100 lots were put under the hammer with an unprecedented 98% sales ratio. The military section comprised of a fascinating array of awards and gallantry medals from Britain’s proud colonial past ranging from the Sutlej medal of 1841 through the Crimea war, India, South Africa campaigns and China wars to the RAF in World War Two. There was a stunning collection of Wiltshire Regiment material with over forty groups relating to the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Wiltshire Regiment and the Wiltshire Yeomanry.

 

After publicising the auction heavily within the military collecting fraternity the auctioneers were pleased to attract bids from all over Europe. With several phone lines booked for a number of awards, together with over two hundred bids left and a packed auction room it was no surprise when a World War One Distinguished Service Medal group to a Lance Corporal Terrill of the 7th Wilts Regt sold over £1200. Another Wiltshire award was an Imperial Yeomanry Long Service and Good Conduct medal which sold for £530. A World War One Military Medal Group to Sgt Huish of the Somerset  Light Infantry sold for a top estimate £700. Victorian Campaign awards attracted a great deal of attention with South Africa 1879 medals selling for over £300 each, the Sutlej medal for £390 and a Crimea medal for £240. After the success of the Medals section of the sale and a large quantity of new consignments, Henry Aldridge & Son have now added a medals section to their March Collectors sale.

 

Medals were not the only items sold at the 25th January collectors auction, one particularly beautiful item was a Fairyland Lustre bon bon dish. Although measuring only several inches across it attracted interest from all over the USA. A phone bidder from New York battled with several collectors in the room for the right to own the piece, a collector from Gloucestershire was the winner and he purchased the bowl for £1100. Other collectable items that fared above estimate were a collection of postcards showing Devizes, Chippenham and the West Country in the early part of the 20th century sold for a £1000 and a Grimwades Peter Rabbit Tea Set that realised £500.

 

One particular piece that caused a great deal of interest in the weeks proceeding the auction including star billing in a preview section of the Antiques Trade Gazette was Mabel Lucie Atwell’s easel. Mabel Lucie Atwell was one of the most accomplished painters of her genre and her images of children at play have enchanted many generations. The easel sold to a private collector from the Isle of Man for £2350.

 

The furniture section of the auction was well represented with a good selection of 19th century pieces. A pleasant Mahogany drop leaf dining table realised £550, Two Victorian Single wardrobes realised £400 each and a Rosewood Breakfront sideboard in need of restoration sold for over £400.

 

A collection of steam engines consigned from the estate of a collector from Somerset attracted interest from collectors all over Europe. Top prices were £570 for a Boiler and Twin Cylinder 9ins Engine £500 for a 10ins Open Crank Engine. In all the 36 lots realised over £9000.

 

 

Entries are now invited for Henry Aldridge & son’s busy calendar of auctions. Alan and Andrew Aldridge are available on 01380-729199 / 720900 for no obligation appraisals of Antique & Collectors items for either insurance or auction. You can also contact the auctioneers via email at andrew.aldridge@virgin.net.