A life through the lens - a huge collection of antique and vintage cameras, lenses and related items.
A fascination for all things photographic and a career as a cameraman for a local tv station has led to the largest collection of antique and vintage cameras ever seen at Eldreds. The huge collection of literally 100’s of cameras, lenses and accessories consigned for sale by auction, spans the full date range of the production of commercial photographic technology from the 19th century onwards and comprises a vast assortment of quality examples, from the earliest mahogany and brass plate and bellows cameras to sub-miniature models, including two by Minox, often associated with espionage. Particularly interesting examples include a mid-1930’s Zeh Zeca-Flex folding TLR camera with Compur-Rapid shutter and Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1:3.5 f=7.5cm lens, a wide-angle Rolleiflex TLR camera with Carl Zeiss Distagon f4 55mm lens, hood and leather case and a Graflex Century Graphic 2¼'' x 3¼'' press camera, with red bellows, Rodenstock - Ysarex f4.5 105mm lens, Synchro-Compur-P shutter and Kalart Synchronised Range Finder. Also in the collection is a quantity of charming actual-size camera models, scratch-built mainly from wood, which would look superb on display in a shop or with a collection and the full range will be offered for sale in Eldreds auction of Antiques, Art, Clocks, Ceramics, Glass & Works of Art on Tuesday 23rd May, from 10.00am. Viewing for the sale will be on Saturday 20th May 9.00am-12 noon and Monday 22nd May 9.00am-5.00pm.
A bidding war is on the cards!
Eldreds Antiques & Fine Art sale on 28th March is shaping up nicely with an interesting selection of silver and jewellery on offer. Amongst the silver section of the sale can be found a “castle top” box; a Victorian souvenir at the height of their popularity between 1830 and 1860 and depicting well-known castles, stately homes, monuments and cathedrals. Usually in the form of a card case or vinaigrette, the location is embossed in high relief or engraved on the lid. Card cases became extremely popular during the late-18th and 19th centuries; calling cards were the social media and etiquette of the day amongst the wealthy and fashionable, with a strict set of rules to follow and would express such sentiments as condolence, congratulations and the wish, if timed correctly, for an invite to tea. Owing to the fact that castle-top items were manufactured over a limited time, these treasures have become highly collectable and makers to look out for include George Unite, Alfred Taylor and Nathaniel Mills. The example in Eldreds sale of silver and jewellery is by George Unite and is of St Pauls Cathedral viewed from the North West. The card case measures 10.5 x 7cm, is hallmarked for George Unite, Birmingham 1845 and carries an estimate of £800-1,000.
The bear necessities come to Eldreds.......
A large collection of over 150 Charlie Bears has arrived at Eldreds, looking for new homes, with some designed by Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Morris at The Bearhouse in Launceston, Cornwall and many others designed by award-winning bear artist Isabelle Lee. These characterful bears are lovingly made by hand in relatively small numbers and are sure to delight and enchant. The collection includes everything from instantly recognisable bear varieties such as the Red Panda, to many imaginative examples having multi-coloured fur and dressed in outfits or carrying accessories. A pair of Sun Bears named Milli and Toni were produced to celebrate their rescue from poachers in Cambodia to a new life of care in Chester Zoo and are estimated at £60-80 for the pair. According to their creators, “It’s always the bears that choose you”, so come and have some fun on our viewing days and see which bear wants you to take them home! The Charlie Bear collection will be offered for sale at Eldreds specialist spring auction of collectables, books, stamps, coins, medals & toys, on Tuesday 7th March at 10.00am. Viewing for the sale will be on Saturday 4th March 9.00am-12noon and Monday 6th March 9.00am-5.00pm. Illustrated catalogue available now on this website.
Over The Moon
A flow of quality items, jewellery, silver and watches continues to arrive at Eldreds for our spring auctions, with the latest consignment including a ladies' very smart Breitling wrist watch with diamond bezel, a Victorian gold and topaz cross pendant and a pair of good-quality diamond stud earrings, each of approximately one carat, which expects between £1,000 and £2,000. Also brought in for Eldreds experienced gemmology team to assess was a very unusual early-20th century brooch of saphiret glass carved into the shape of a moon face, surrounded by a horseshoe of white paste stones and set in a gilt mount. Saphiret jewellery pieces were made in a particular region of Czechoslovakia for only a small period of time due to the high production costs involved from mixing gold with sapphire blue-coloured glass; the technique producing a fusion of beautiful colour tones and iridescence. Motifs and intaglios such as the example consigned for Eldreds sale were made in the early period of saphiret production and other than jewellery, examples of saphiret glass can be found in photograph frames and other trinkets of the period. This rare little brooch is estimated at £100-120 and is sure to interest collectors.
Sleeping Beauties!
Two exciting recent finds will be sure to set the saleroom alight during Eldreds spring Collectors’ Sale on 7th March. Recently unearthed in local garages and both barely visible underneath a heap of boxes and garage paraphernalia, are two classic cars, each proving to be a relatively rare example of their make and model. First, we have an Austin Mini Metro 1.3L HLS 3-door hatchback motor car, discovered in a Plympton garage, registration number POD 435W, in a sandy beige colour with “Paprika” interior upholstery. With one owner since new and extremely low mileage, this beauty was bought from Mumford of Plymouth in February 1981 for £3,517 and has been garaged and undriven since 1984. The odometer reads just 1007 miles!! Sold with its original registration document and service history this makes an excellent restoration project for a keen Metro collector. A second treasure discovered sleeping in a Tavistock garage is a blue Citroën BX 19 DTR 5-door diesel estate car, registration number G276 RNF and first sold in 1990. This one runs and has 89,000 on the clock. Sold with SORN but no original documents, its relative scarcity and good condition should attract interest from Citroën enthusiasts at £1,000 -£1,500. For more information contact Eldreds on (01752) 721199, [email protected] Both cars will be offered for sale at the start of our Collectors’ auction on Tuesday 7th March at 10.00am and will be available to view from Friday 3rd March.
A collection of Wade "Hat Box Series" Whimsies from first issue set 3: The Sword in the Stone, including: The Colonel x2, Sergeant Tibbs, Rolly x2, Madam Mim, Merlin as a turtle x2, Archimedes x2 (one small chip), Merlin as a hare x2, the girl squirrel x2, Merlin as a caterpillar, (15).
about Lot 186
An Edwardian diamond tiara c1910, unmarked, of curved lattice design, millegrain-set old brilliant and rose-cut diamonds, total diamond weight approximately 5.25cts, set in white metal, (tests as 18ct white gold and platinum), with three screw fittings to rose gold, (tests as 14ct approximately), frame, with eyelet loops for ribbon, 3.5cm high, lattice 15.2cm long, 19.3cm overall, 24g.
about Lot 344
A WMF Claret jug, the trumpet-shaped green glass body within the plated frame and whiplash handle and frame, pierced berry stopper, the base moulded with maidens, marked WMF I/O EP 3.85. 39cmhigh
about Lot 215
Taxidermy, a good Victorian example of a Golden Eagle, head facing right, standing with wings folded, on rocks with lichen, heather and grasses, within an ebonised glazed case, on ebonised table having turned tapered legs with brass and ceramic castors, eagle measures approximately 40cm high, case 80cm high, 66cm wide, 43cm deep, overall height (including stand), 152cm.
about Lot 851
Viner & Co, Regent St, London, a white marble mantel timepiece, the carved reeded case of plinth form, having a circular gilt dial with heart-shaped pointers, bezel with serpent border and drum movement with adjustable pendulum, 23cm high.
about Lot 136
Chateau Beychevelle, 1998 1500ml 12.5%, owc (open), six magnums, (6).
about Lot 8
A collection of thirteen Queen Elizabeth II one-ounce fine silver £2 Britannia (standing) coins, 1998, 2002, 2012, 2014, 2016 (x2), 2018, 2019 (x5), 2020, (11 in capsules), a similar 2008 coin with different design, 2x 2007 Britannia seated, 2x 2017 and 1x 2019 Britannia coloured, 1999 Britannia in chariot, 2019 George and dragon, all in capsules, no documents, in fitted 'Silver Britannia' case and a 2013 gold-plated £100 coin, (22).
about Lot 104
An 18th century Continental marriage casket, the domed lid and rectangular body on ball feet, engraved overall with figures and scrolling foliage, 8cm.
about Lot 467
Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz (1941-2002) SELF PORTRAIT Oil on board, twice-signed in black and red and titled within original black-painted reeded frame, sight size 24 x 19.5cm. Provenance: sold to the owner by ROL in ..........
about Lot 53
A pair of diamond tassel earrings, each with a millegrain-set old-cut diamond above a rose-cut diamond-set cap from which are suspended five graduated articulated drops, each millegrain-set five graduated old-cut diamonds, total diamond weight estimated at 1.8cts approximately, each 25mm long, unmarked, tested as platinum, 8.6g.
about Lot 322