Lorna Bailey at Eldreds.

16th Feb 2024

A large collection of vibrant and colourful ceramic pieces by artist Lorna Bailey has been consigned for Eldreds March auction of Antiques & Art, including many Collectors’ Club limited-editions and several prototype 1/1 examples. The collection showcases chargers, teapots, vases, sugar sifters, wall plaques, candlesticks and figurines, with two limited-edition models “Ozzie The Owl” and “Stanley The Stork” heading up the collection. Themed pieces also feature with several “Arabian Nights” Open Day models, a teapot, jug and three vases in the “Toadstool” pattern and four ‘Creature’ sugar sifters: Dragonfly, Snail, Worm and Ladybird. Of the prototype one-off designs, lots on offer include an Art-Deco-style charger with applied female figure and a stylised animal teapot in blue, green, peach, yellow and purple colours. Split into 38 lots, estimates start at £30-40 for a miniature teapot and rise to £150-200 for a prototype charger.

Read More

The hounds are in!

16th Feb 2024

Eldreds collectors’ sale in early March is shaping up well with plenty of interesting and eclectic lots on offer. Early entries include a huge one-owner collection of over 800 Beatrix Potter items, including an unused 1950’s nursery frieze by Frederick Warne & Co. in very good condition and various Steiff characters. The largest collection of medals and medallion awards seen in the saleroom for some time will also generate good interest amongst bidders and collectors. Two quirky items have found each other ‘again’ and are keeping each other company until the March sales. One is an unusual 19th century Black Forest nutcracker in the form of a Border Terrier wearing a fur-trimmed cloak, to be offered in our antiques and art sale on 26th March and the other a first edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, published by George Newnes Ltd, Southampton Street, Strand in 1902, the third of the four crime novels featuring Sherlock Holmes, to be offered in the book section of the collectors’ sale on 5th March. Complete with gilt-decorated cloth cover, fifteen illustrations and “The Shadow of Sherlock Holmes” frontispiece, this favourite tale set in late-19th century Dartmoor has found a suitable companion in the nutcracker, with it has to be said, a stern but less than demonic expression on its face. Buy them both to keep them together and crack some nuts by a roaring fire whilst having a good read! The collectors’ sale on Tuesday 5th March will also include stamps, coins, militaria, model railway, diecasts and other toys, textiles, photographs and postcards and a good selection of musical instruments. For free valuation to include items, please telephone Eldreds Roborough office on (01752) 721199, or email images with contact telephone number to: info@eldreds.net

Read More

Three pretty rings.

8th Feb 2024

A trio of three pretty rings has made its way into Eldreds spring jewellery sale catalogue and has already generated significant interest from visitors to the saleroom. First on offer is an Edwardian diamond flower cluster ring of seven millegrain-set diamonds in 18ct yellow & white gold mount, being very typical in design of the first ten years of the 20th century. The popularity of diamonds in rings increased during this period and motifs for pieces of jewellery were feminine, intricate and creative with bows, flowers, horseshoes and hearts being some of the most popular designs. An unusual pink spinel stone takes centre stage in the second of the three rings. Often misidentified as rubies, pink and red spinels have very good wearing properties, resist scratches and take on good brilliance, making them very suitable as gemstones in their own right but often with a much-reduced price tag when compared to rubies. Eldreds Edwardian example is surrounded by ten Swiss-cut diamonds making a flower shape and is set in 18ct yellow gold. Finally of the three rings is a modern bespoke diamond engagement-style ring with central pendeloque-shaped diamond within halo of brilliant-cut diamonds, on diamond-set twisted shoulders. An extremely pretty and wearable ring with rose gold mount and shank, which will be sure to catch the eye of bidders. Amongst the small silver in the sale and also from the Edwardian period are two novelty Vesta cases for dog lovers, one with Cocker Spaniel design and a slightly smaller case with a Collie. Estimated at £50-70 each, these would make lovely presents for someone with a fondness for either breed, or for dogs in general. For free valuation of jewellery, gold coins, silver and watches to include in the March sale, please telephone Eldreds Roborough office on (01752) 721199, or email images with contact telephone number to: info@eldreds.net

Read More

Batman Rides Again!

8th Feb 2024

Hard on the heels of Eldreds’ last highly successful collectors’ sale, Eldreds are now cataloguing their March specialist sale which includes a collection of Corgi TV-related diecast cars. One of the most iconic is the Batmobile, brought out by Corgi in 1966 when Batman Fever was at its peak. With details including a chain-cutting blade at the front and pulsating flame exhaust, the best feature was the rocket launcher! Also included with the original model was a secret Batman sticker that could be placed behind a shirt lapel – like Bruce Wayne himself. These stickers are almost impossible to find and sadly absent from this example. It does, however, have its box, inner fold-out packing, rockets and instructions in the original envelope. Owing to some biro marks on the box the estimate is £50-80. Other TV diecasts in the sale include the original gold James Bond Aston Martin D.B.5, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’s “Thrush Buster” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, all boxed. The medal section includes an impressive WWI and WWII Military OBE group of twelve medals, plus miniatures and a plethora of photographs, Buckingham Palace invitations, letters, etc. which always help to enhance the value of any medal group. Estimate £400-600. Other collections in the March sale include model railways, diecast, militaria, coins, stamps, postcards, wines and spirits. For valuation or to include items in this sale please call (01752) 721199 or email info@eldreds.net

Read More

Jeff makes light work of heavy metal.

3rd Jan 2024

Eldreds Auctioneers first specialist sale of 2024 looks set to hit the right note with a one-owner collection of electric and acoustic guitars and an impressive anthology of vinyl LP records. Amongst the fourteen guitars can be found three Mexican-made Fender Stratocasters, in different colours, two with synchronised tremolos, four Fender Telecaster electric guitars, a Fender Jaguar with pink and cream body and a limited-edition Epiphone Sheraton semi-acoustic Sunburst guitar, with internal label “Epiphone Inc, Nashville Tennessee”. The collection also offers several amplifiers by companies such as Vox, Blackstar and Marshall. All Jeff's Christmases came at once when tasked with cataloguing a wonderful collection of approximately 300 vinyl LP records from the late-60’s and early-70’s that will have bidders excited and in which much interest has already been shown. The LPs span mainly the progressive rock and early heavy rock/metal genres and include examples from bands such as Hawkwind, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Ten Years After, Neil Young, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, King Crimson and Budgie. A raw sounding original copy of the one-off rock album “Lord Sutch And Heavy Friends” is included, with contributions by Jimmy Page and John Bonham, Noel Redding and Jeff Beck. Many of the album covers still contain a “Peter Russell Ltd, Hot Record Store, 24 Market Avenue, Plymouth” label inside, a link which will bring back happy memories of a favourite music shop for Jeff and many local rockers. A full catalogue listing will be available before the sale and Eldreds welcomes consignments of other musical instruments for the auction, as well as stamps, coins, medals & military interest items, antiquarian books & first editions, toys, diecasts & model railway, photographs & postcards, antique & vintage textiles and collectables of all kinds. Please contact our Roborough office on (01752) 721199 for advice about selling, or send images with contact telephone number to: info@eldreds.net

Read More

A lady at Eldreds.

3rd Jan 2024

A beautiful and ornate practical accessory worn by a lady of the house has been consigned for sale in Eldreds fine art and antiques auction in March. With its origins in pre-Medieval times, châtelaines were worn by both men and women, usually hooked from a pocket or chain/belt around the waist and were a symbol of a person’s status within the house and authority over its contents. Originally made for practicality and convenience, châtelaines often carried useful tools and trinkets that would be needed during the day’s work, such as scissors, keys, thimbles, lorgnettes, vinaigrettes, small penknives and writing implements. During the 18th and particularly 19th centuries however, these adornments became a popular fashion accessory, made from brass, silver and gold and sometimes decorated with gemstones, cameos or enamelling, often depicting flowers or religious scenes. Those made in silver or silver plate were often worn by the housekeeper of wealthy European houses, but gold châtelaines are rarer and would have been worn by the lady of the house, with attachments that only she would be allowed to use and often with additional charms for decorative purposes only. By the later 19th century, changes in fashion styles and social arrangements for women had made the châtelaine largely obsolete and other jewellery designs such as brooches and pendants became more popular, but pretty and ornate châtelaines from a bygone age still hold a fascination and charm that bidders will be keen to add to their collections. Eldreds châtelaine is fashioned from 18ct yellow and rose gold chains, with a watch key and crest seal on lyre charms and two chain-linked bells for added decoration, denoting the very high status of the owner. Beautifully-understated with a simple floral design accented with baroque and seed pearls, this classy piece will be a popular auction find and is estimated at £1,500-1,800.

Read More