Another year draws to a close, and what a successful year it’s been! We’ve extended our reach around the world and registered internet bidders are up substantially; we now literally have clients in all corners of the globe. We’ve held 57 auctions, sold close to 22,000 lots, and taken nearly 150,000 photographs in doing so.
Some notable sale highlights from this year so far include: The London Atlas of Universal Geography which sold for a fee inclusive £46,800; a George III mahogany serving table in the manner of Mayhew & Ince which sold for £29,900; a Chinese traditional Gu Vase which sold for £26,000; and a Dutch Verre Eglomise Glass Picture which sold for £24,700 - and there were many more. Most of our business is via recommendation from satisfied clients, which is why we’re the North’s leading Fine Art Auction House. I feel proud to be part of this great A&G team.
Back in January, top silver specialist Alex Butcher joined us. Since then, he has rapidly expanded our Silver Department. So successfully, that Fine Silver is now a stand-alone auction with sales regularly including more than 500 lots.
Our experts have been out and about again this year with the A&G Roadshow in Northumberland and Durham. We conducted hundreds of free valuations at each event and love meeting new and existing clients, who find the service very convenient. This is something we are going to expand further into Cleveland and Cumbria, and closer to home in Tynemouth and Sunderland in 2024.
We’ve continued to make great strides in the Urban Art market. In September, as part of the Modern Art & Design Auction, we sold three original Banksy plaques from an anti-war protest in 2003, for a collective fee inclusive £32,000. There’s more exciting Banksy news in the New Year, so watch this space!
The Land & Property wing of our business goes from strength to strength with a string of noteworthy properties sold by private treaty, and an auction success rate of 100%! We are flattered to have received independent recognition with an award from SME News Northern Enterprise for outstanding client care service levels. So, if you have real estate to sell, there is no firm better able to get you the best price.
Social responsibility is something we take seriously. We strive to work with, and give back to, the community. We’ve raised funds for ‘Daft as a Brush’ Cancer Patient Care; The Northumberland High Sheriff’s Fund at the Tyne and Wear Community Trust; and The Newcastle West End Food Bank. We also work closely with charitable partners Emmaus, Daisy Chain, and Betel House. If there’s a charity close to your heart and you would like us to promote it in 2024, please do get in touch.
We have exciting and ambitious plans for 2024, and while this means a tremendous amount of hard work for our team, I’m confident that next year will be equally impressive. We will soon be announcing our full 2024 auction schedule. It’s going to be the biggest year to date, so keep an eye on our website!
I look forward to seeing everything next year brings and hope for your continued support. Thank you again and allow me to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Julian Thomson
Managing Director
Auction Statistics from 2023
Auctions
57
Lots Sold
Over 22,000
Pictures Taken
Nearly 150,000
Online Valuations
7800
Face to Face
Valuations
1,443