Shrewsbury auctioneer to stand down
A auctioneer of more than 20 years will be standing down from his rostrum and raising his gavel for the final time next week.
Jeremy Lamond, Halls Fine Art Director, is to conduct his final auction in Shrewsbury on Wednesday.
After joining Halls in 1996, Jeremy replaced Richard Allen as Director of the Fine Art team in 2005.
He soon made his mark by increasing the quality of the items in the auctions, adding wine, watches, contemporary art and also timed internet auctions for online bidding.
Jeremy’s final lots in the annual Halls Christmas Auction include impressive collections, which are expected to raise thousands for the vendors, and provide bidders with the opportunity to buy some unique pieces.
Christmas gift ideas include jewellery, watches and paintings and, perhaps for Christmas lunch, the auction will include a range of silver tableware and rare wines and spirits.
Jeremy said: “The more unusual items include a child’s nursery chair painted by Silvia Plath, perhaps our most famous female poet, which is estimated to sell for between £1,500 and £2,500, and a Swiss chalet musical decanter box expected to reach a similar price.
“Bidders who come along on the day, or watch the auction online, will also enjoy seeing a George III mahogany longcase clock go under the hammer. Made around 1770 by Thomas Mudge and William Dutton, London, this rare and beautiful timepiece is expected to sell for between £25,000 and £35,000, having a fantastic provenance being owned by the same family since it was made.
“I’ve had a tremendous time at Halls Fine Art and would like to thank everyone for their support under my tenure.”
The full auction catalogue, with more than 800 items, can be found on Halls website.
The lots can also be viewed at Halls on Sunday between 2pm and 4pm, and on Monday and Tuesday, between 9.30am and 4.30pm. The auction itself starts at 10am.