The fact that half of the 900-plus lots came fresh to market from a single property in Hythe "really boosted the sale" he said, but added that so did the fact that, for the first time, the entire catalogue had been put on the ATG website which triggered 80 per cent of pre-sale inquiries.
The Hythe vendor had inherited the contents of the family home over 50 years ago and had added to them through her own collecting exploits.
Among the consignment was an attractively small, 2ft 1/2in (62cm) wide, walnut chest of drawers.
It had early 18th century locks, which may have indicated an original piece with extensive early 20th century restoration or, alternatively, an early 20th century piece with period fittings.
Carefully catalogued as 18th century style, and given a tempting £200-300 estimate, it took a private bid of £2200.
"Beautiful quality and small size were the overriding factors in it doing well," said Mr White.
From the same vendor came a 51/2in (14cm) high Meiji period, signed shibayama vase and cover decorated with pheasants amongst prunus blossom. The ivory, mother-of-pearl, agate and coloured bone vase, mounted on gilt brass feet, had suffered some damage but went to the London trade at £640.
From pheasants among flowers to a rat crawling into a bird's nest - the unusual motif for a 191/2in (50cm) high bronze candelabrum by the animalier Auguste Cain (1822-1894).
Quality of work overcame quirkiness of subject when a collector took it at £900.
Another contender for the most unusual item in the sale title came among the furniture.
This was was a large Victorian pharmacy shop fitting in mahogany. It stood 10ft 4in (3.15m) wide, 7ft 11in (2.42m) high and came complete with 65 labelled drawers, glass knob handles and an open-shelf, double-arched rack with vertical mirror panels and scrolling open fret panels.
It was consigned by a New Romney firm of wax polish makers who inherited it when they took over the premises of a pharmacy several years ago, and Mr White said: "After 25 years in the business, it is the first apothecary's chest complete with its original rack that I have seen."
He gave it an attractive estimate of £800-1200 and, after he marketed it through images sent to the Pharmaceutical Society in London as well as on the ATG website, it attracted enquiries from specialist dealers, collectors and, unsurprisingly, a shop fitter.
A South Coast dealer eventually won the day with a bid of £4300, against a specialist trade underbidder. Mr White said: "It is probably aimed at the decorative market - it would be a great alternative to a kitchen dresser - or it could be reclaimed as a fantastic shop fitting."
