Henry Aldridge & Son

The Devizes Auctioneers

Nipper Goes Home

Henry Aldridge & Son's calendar of specialist sales for 2000 got off to a steady start in their first major auction of the year. The Old Town Hall in Devizes has become an important port of call for Collectors and Dealers alike when in search of something a little bit different. Few went home disappointed on February 2nd with a variety of lots ranging from Cigarette Cards, Cameras and Clocks to Medals and Memorabilia with prices from £4 to £4,000.

The undoubted star was a 1935 Mappin & Webb silver model of Nipper, the HMV Dog. He was one a very limited edition given to favoured clients to mark George V's silver jubilee that year. The EMI museum were very keen to bring Nipper back home, having three years previously purchased a similar example at one of the major London Auction Houses for just £800. This time though they purchased Nipper for £2750 including Buyers Premium.

A 1790's mahogany longcase clock with brass arch dial, silent striker, seconds and calendar made by Edward Hawkins of Bradford on Avon was another top seller. The movement on this clock was quite ordinary but the aspect that made it so keenly sought after was the quite stunning mahogany case. Although the movement was made in Bradford on Avon, the case would have probably been brought in form London. This reflected in some frenzied bidding, which saw the successful bidder coming away with little change from £4000.

A small collection of playworn Dinky & Corgi cars were entered by one Collector, these brought interest primarily from collectors on the Internet and sold for over £900, showing that new technology can be mixed with methods that are more traditional.

Henry Aldridge & Son's next specialist auction is at 12pm on Tuesday 29th February at the Devizes Auction Centre. Items already accepted include 17th, 18th, 19th Century Oak, Walnut, Mahogany, Ceramics, Objects of Vertu and Fine Art.

Because of our Major Auction of Titanic & White Star items on the 14th April in Southampton, our next Collectors auction has been moved from its traditional Wine Street venue. It will now be held at The Devizes Auction Centre on the 28th March. Please contact us for further details.