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• The Westbury Hotel

  Bond Street

  Mayfair , Greater London

  United Kingdom   W1S 2YF

  Telephone : +44 (0)1225 812912

  Fax : +44 (0)1225 811777

  Website : http://www.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk

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  	GARDINER HOULGATE the specialist auctioneers
  	Auctioneering is reputed to be one of the oldest professions in the world,and has been used by countless generations to establish and obtain the true market value of goods. It is a traditional profession, based on trust and responsibility for other people's possessions, a tradition Gardiner Houlgate are proud to uphold in the world of Antiques and Fine Art. By retaining old fashioned values and combining them with modern information technology, we have developed a range of specialist auctions, many unique outside the world's capitals, thus offering our clients access to international markets and consequently achieving the highest prices possible. We are based in Corsham, close to Georgian Bath and the M4 (junction 17) in a 15,000sq ft purpose designed building with three specialist salesrooms, high security storage and ample parking. The location was specially chosen by to allow easy access for our vendors and buyers and the sales are regularly attended by national and international buyers and enthusiasts.
  	. Under the direction of Nicholas Houlgate and his fellow auctioneers Jamie South and David Hare, more than £3,000,000 of Antiques, Fine Art and Specialist items are offered for sale by auction every year. Whether selling a single item, a collection or the complete contents of a home, we guarantee you will receive a courteous efficient and professional service.
  	Executor Services We pride ourselves in offering a complete service to executors and trustees of estates. At a most difficult time, dealing with the contents of a home can be both harrowing and time consuming. We are always pleased to offer sympathetic advice, prepare the necessary valuations, arrange delivery of any items to family members and then to sell the remainder by auction, ensuring the property is completely cleared, if required.
  	We are always pleased to advise our clients about potential auction entries. This service is free of charge and without obligation. Items may be brought to the auction rooms at any time Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, but we do advise making an appointment to ensure the particular specialist valuer is available. Large items can be appraised in your home by appointment or from photographs,again there is no charge. Free Appraisals Valuations Written valuations for insurance, probate and other purposes are undertaken at competitive fees and in the strictest confidence. Please contact our valuation department for further details.
  	What Our Auction Service Costs We deduct commission of 15% on all items sold. All goods are automatically insured at a cost of 1% whilst in our care. This results in total deductions, including VAT, of 18.8% (subject to minimum charges). Removals and collections, when required, are charged at cost. We are well aware that our charges are highly competitive when compared to other auctioneers. Unlike many auctioneers who retain your money for over a month after the sale, we pay out in seven days, greatly facilitating cash flow for business clients and confirming our commitment to the highest quality service.
  	Whatever your auction requirements, Gardiner Houlgate offer an unrivalled service. We already act for many prestigious firms of Solicitors and Trust Companies. To discuss your individual requirements, free of charge and without obligation, please contact Nicholas Houlgate, Jamie South or David Hare on 01225 812912. If you have something special consult the specialists
  	Specialist Auctions
  	Unlike the archetypal provincial auctioneer, we have developed a range of specialist auctions, aimed at specific markets. With the use of modern information technology, dedicated mailing lists and targeted advertising and marketing, we ensure our clients have access to the international markets that we have established over recent years. Our professional approach to these innovative auctions, together with our competitive charges, means that we are able to offer an unrivalled specialist auction service outside London. Antique Furniture & Fine Art These quality auctions are held quarterly and contain specialist sections of Antique Porcelain, Glass, Metalware, Decorative Objects, Paintings and 17th, 18th and 19th century Furniture.   Some exceptional results have been achieved in these sales, and prices range from 50 to 50,000. The broad spectrum of these auctions prove of great interest to anyone furnishing with Antiques, as well as the specialist collector. The auctions are advertised world-wide and, together with our extensive mailing lists, are attended by local, national and overseas buyers, giving our vendors access to the international market.   Computerised search systems and the Internet are also used to ensure the maximum number of potential buyers are informed, resulting in the highest possible prices for our clients.   Victorian and Later Furnishings General auctions are held monthly. Whilst containing the more ordinary items from estates and house clearances, the quality of these sales is strictly maintained and prices realised reflect this. Obviously more valuable items are retained, for an appropriate specialist sale.   Watches & Clocks Two day auctions are held three times a year. We are the only auctioneers outside London holding regular dedicated horology sales. Pocket and wristwatches are offered on the first day and include such legendary makers as Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Vacheron and Jaeger Le Coultre. Silver and gold pocket watches, repeaters and chronographs are always well represented.   On the second day clocks and barometers are sold with specialised sections for Longcase Clocks, Wall Dials and Vienna Regulators, Mantel and Bracket Clocks, Carriage Clocks, Novelties, Books and Clockmaker's tools, in fact everything of horological interest.   Decorative Arts This innovative bi-annual auction represents a fascinating view of the progressive themes from the end of the Victorian era to the present day. Encompassing the Aesthetic, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Contemporary movements, this exciting market has almost unlimited potential and we see these auctions evolving and developing as new collecting markets emerge.   Clarice Cliff has proved extremely popular over recent years with prices into the thousands being achieved. Other designers represented in these sales include:- William Morris; Liberty; Heals; Christopher Dresser; Moorcroft; Shelley; Susie Cooper; Lalique and Galle.
  	Musical Instruments   We have been undertaking these specialist quarterly auctions for fifteen years and they have become an important part of the international auction market. Instruments of the Violin Family, Guitars, Brass, Woodwind and Pianos are represented in separate sections in each sale, proving of great interest to collectors, players and dealers worldwide. . All stringed instruments are individually appraised by our consultant, Mr Gimpel Solomon, and suitable reserves agreed in consultation with clients. Mr Solomon is a professional luthier, restorer and connoisseur of instruments, with many years experience in Cremona and New York and is highly regarded throughout the music world. He is also available to undertake insurance valuations on stringed instruments. In addition, specialist auctions of fine quality stringed instruments are held in London in the Spring and Autumn. These sales are aimed specifically at the International Music Market and are attended by many of the worlds leading buyers.
  	We hold dedicated specialist Jewellery auctions fortnightly - 26 sales a year, offering the largest and most comprehensive Jewellery auction service in the South West. There are between 500 and 1000 lots in each sale, ranging from diamond and gem set rings, brooches, bracelets and necklaces to heavy lots of mixed gold, costume jewellery and related items. Jewellery, Silver and Plated Ware We have specialised in the sale of unredeemed pawnbrokers pledges for over ten years and have developed a fully tailored service to satisfy the professional and legal requirements of that industry. Silver auctions are held quarterly and include Georgian, Victorian and later Silver, Plated Ware and Bijouterie.
  	Specialist Collections Over recent years we have specialised in the marketing and sale of private collections, either as a dedicated sale, or as a section within one of our other auctions. Perfume Bottles, Silver Vesta Cases, Pot Lids, Tunbridge Ware, Meerschaum Pipes, Cricketania, Pewter, Samplers and Staffordshire Cottages are just some of the collections that have been sold. These have proved highly successful. The secret is to undertake specific marketing, publicity and advertising to ensure we reach specialist collectors and dealers.   We like to work closely with the owner of the collection. With our extensive experience of the auction world and the vendors detailed knowledge of their collection, some exceptional results have been achieved. Country House Sales are undertaken from time to time, and when appropriate. we are always pleased to discuss this traditional method of selling the complete contents of a property and advising on the suitability of holding an auction on the premises.