Letters to the Editor

MADAM – The correct term for the ‘mirror’ under discussion in Letters, ATG No 2468 is an ‘embossed glass showcard’.

MADAM – In your feature on Works on Paper (ATG No 2468) you preview the sale at Bonhams of the draft manuscript for the account of the defence of Rorke’s Drift in 1879 by its commander John Chard.

MADAM – I was pleased to see that a piece of furniture designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for 78 Derngate, Northampton, had sold so well at auction early in November (front page, ATG No 2467).

MADAM – your item on the Victor Mee auction of pub memorabilia (ATG No 2467) contains a minor, yet possibly significant error.

MADAM – As a provincial auction house, we are more than happy to accept for sale many of those objects that have been rejected by the bigger auction companies. Furthermore, we are grateful for the occasional referral we receive from such auction companies, when items do not reach their value threshold.

MADAM – It was heartening to read that the premises of Aston’s Auctioneers and Valuers of Dudley (ATG No 2463) have been taken over by Special Auction Services (SAS) of Newbury, Berkshire.

MADAM – The pedants revolt! In ATG No 2463, writing about the Ministry Of Defence’s wristwatches, Roland Arkell states that the letters WWW on the back of their cases form an acronym; they do not.

MADAM – You recently featured me in your Dealers’ Diary (ATG No 2463) under Irving Street Antiques. I wish to correct a couple of errors in the article.

MADAM – There is absolutely nothing that is not collected by some bloke, in some shed, somewhere.

MADAM – I note that Sotheby’s will be opening a retail shop at their Bond Street premises (News, ATG No 2462).

MADAM – it’s heartwarming to read that a number of stolen, extremely rare books have been recovered by the Met police in cooperation with the Romanian police (News, ATG No 2461).

MADAM – With visitor numbers growing steadily, above expectations despite the pandemic, and a successful reopening under its belt, The Bowes Museum is now looking for new trustees to help reshape it, to ensure its continued success.

MADAM – The auction report (issue 2459, page 22) highlighting the sale of two Napoleonic documents at Sotheby’s is most interesting when you consider the two very different characters they were addressed to.

MADAM – The new planning law amendment which could affect Portobello Road by opening the door to more gyms, restaurants, offices, clinics, etc is preposterous (see last week’s News).

MADAM – It was good to see Alan Sturrock’s robust and considered appeal for a greater understanding of the significance of Staffordshire figures in the markets (ATG 2457).

MADAM – I fully endorse Alan Sturrock’s concerns over multiple lots in auctions (Letters, ATG No 2457).

MADAM – Hadleigh Old School in Suffolk is reopening as a concert hall in 2021. A former Victorian boys’ school, it became an arts and music venue in the 1970s under maestro Thomas McIntosh, the famous American pianist and conductor.

MADAM – I hope your readers can help me track down a few items. I am trying to find some old Wedgwood Flaxman chess pieces from about 1825-70. I have been trying to complete this set for more than 40 years.

MADAM – In lieu of a (complimentary) catalogue from a provincial auctioneer, I recently received a letter explaining as a result of Coronavirus that in common with the likes of ‘Argos and Sotheby’s’ print catalogue production would cease and move entirely online, as will the actual auction.

The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair (September 11-13), is a big step towards getting back to business as usual for many dealers and collectors.