This success was closely followed by that of another binocular microscope by Ross of London which sold to an American dealer at £2600. Other highlights included a Ramsden cuff form chest microscope in a mahogany box which took £1700 and a Gould-type microscope by Jones of London in a fully fitted box that got away at £1550.
However, the best money of the three days was taken by a Second World War military medal awarded to Sergeant Nankiwell of the Army Air Cops, awarded for his exceptional bravery. Lots of interest both from the trade and private collectors saw it knocked down to a private collector from East Sussex at £3600.
Elsewhere in the sale, furniture and ceramics were well represented although there were no major prices. Top seller was a Regency mahogany fold-over tea table with segmented veneered interior raised on an octagonal baluster column and quatrefoil base. It went at £1100.
A pair of George III mahogany knife boxes, one with its original fitted interior, were hotly contested and sold at £680. Elsewhere, a Queen Anne-style walnut display cabinet with a domed top raised on cabriole legs and hoof feet went to a Surrey dealer at £880.
In the ceramics a Royal Crown Derby case with a small panel of painted flowers signed A. Gregory was the best seller and was snapped up by an East Sussex dealer at £2000.
Royal Crown Derby found further success in the form of an extensive dinner service in the Green Derby Panel pattern which sold to a private buyer at £1250.
John Bellman, Billingshurst, February 26-28
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
International interest focuses on collection of microscopes
A private collection of 99 microscopes was the highlight of this three-day sale at John Bellmans. No fewer than nine examples realised four-figure sums, the best seller being a 19th century lacquered brass binocular petrological microscope by Watson & Sons which sold to a private collector from London at £3100.
