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Abigail Bromell

Not Saved for a Rainy Day

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Two classic cars entered into the Charterhouse sale on Sunday 4th November have rather unusually not seen a drop of rain on their bodywork for decades.

“Interestingly both cars are open topped sports cars and both will appeal to very different car enthusiasts.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “The 1960 Fairthorpe is easy to see it has not seen a drop of rain in years as it is covered under decades of dust and is stored in a barn, the other is a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL which its meticulous owner bought in 1997 and has not been in the rain since then.”

The Fairthorpe Electron Minor has been in just one family ownership since new in 1960. A rare little car, fitted

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Bidders Eye up Jewellery

An early 19th century brooch painted with an eye is one of the more unusual lots going under the Charterhouse hammer in their two day 15th & 16th November auction.

“It is such a delicate little painting and whilst I have no idea who the eye relates to I would be very pleased to own it.” Commented Richard Bromell. “Brooches are often overlooked at auction and whilst there is nothing of value in the brooch such as diamonds, it is nonetheless a totally captivating little piece of jewellery and art.”

Eye miniatures are believed to have originated when the Prince of Wales (later George IV) felt the need to send Maria Fitzherbert, a widow, as a token of his love. This gesture and the romance that went with it was frowned upon by the court, so a miniaturist was employed to paint only the eye and thereby preserve anonymity and decorum. The couple went through a form of marriage on 15 December 1785, though all present knew the marriage was invalid by the Royal Marriage Act since George III had not approved. Reportedly Maria’s eye miniature was worn by George IV, hidden under his lapel. This is regarded as the event which led to lovers’ eyes becoming fashionable, appearing between 1790 and the 1820s in the courts and affluent families of England, Russia, France and more rarely, America.Read More »Bidders Eye up Jewellery

Cold War Car Emerges

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A rare Tatra Czechoslovakian car, from 1950, has emerged from the cold and is entered into the Charterhouse auction of classic and vintage cars on Sunday 4th November.

“It’s is an amazing car, the likes of which you rarely see and then generally only in museums.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “It is quite unusual in appearance, almost sinister, and with a connection believed to be with the Czech Embassy who knows what stories could tell.”

Little history is known of this 1950 Tatra T600 Tatraplan. Finished in silver with suicide doors and a brown leather interior, the car is unusual with its 2 litre flat four engine fitted in the rear. However, what is possibly more unusual, and quite striking, it the aerodynamic body complete with distinctive fin at the rear.

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Howzat for a Book Collection!

A collection of Wisden’s Cricketers Almanacks, valued at £7,000-10,000, will be going under the Charterhouse hammer in their two day 18th & 19th October auction of books, sporting items, pictures and specialist selection of Beswick and Royal Doulton.

“Although a fan of cricket it was not my best sport at school.” Commented Charterhouse Sporting Specialist George Holtby. “We regularly see and sell post war Wisden’s but it is rare to see such a fantastic run of them dating from the early 1870’s through to just a couple of years ago.”

Wisden’s Cricketers Almanacks, more commonly known just as Wisden’s, is the longest running sport annual in history with the first copy coming out in 1864. It has detailed coverage including scorecards of every First class game played the previous English summer, summaries of minor counties, second eleven, university, school and premier club cricket as well as the Village Cup.Read More »Howzat for a Book Collection!

Modern Art Under the Hammer

A large painting by Dorset based Fernando Velazquez is going under Charterhouse hammer in their 18th & 19th October two day auction.

“As auctioneers, we sell a broad range of items from ancient Greek coins through to modern art such as this beautiful painting.” Commented Richard Bromell. “We have had the pleasure of selling several works by Fernando over the past few years and they always generate interest from private collectors.”

Fernando Velazquez was brought up in a small village outside Seville. He moved to London in 1996 and spent several years working from a studio in Hackney. Over the decades he has exhibited at numerous galleries and exhibitions in Venice, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles, Jersey, London, Bath and Bristol.

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Deals on wheels

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Some of the cars sold on September 12 2018 were as follows:

Sold for £58,000 plus premium Lot 50 A 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 2+2 coupé automatic, registration number BJH 3K, chassis number 1S50507 BW, engine number 7S4162SA, body number 4S52848, Old English white. This beautifully presented original E-Type has only covered a genuine 32,500 miles from new. The E-Type was manufactured on the 27th September 1971 and was dispatched to Henlys Ltd, London on 15 October 1971. Henlys then supplied the E-Type to the distributing dealer Dennis Barley and Son Ltd, Stanbrough Road, Welwyn Garden City. BJH 3K was then registered on 1 January 1972 to a Mr Hilton James Diggins from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. Ownership would then pass through to subsequent owners a Mr Malcolm Bayliss and Jonathan Peter Taylor, both from Bristol prior to our vendor acquiring the E-Type approximately 18 years ago. This Jaguar has been meticulously maintained and is an all matching numbers car that still retains its original stainless steel exhaust from new. Finished in Old English white with a beautifully original black leather interior and chrome wire wheels, the Jaguar with original waxoyl (clear) from new has been re-applied by our vendor. Further recent works carried out include the detailing of the back axle and engine bay, re-bushed and new SPAX shock absorbers front and rear, up-rated (double) SU electric fuel pump, front bumper and grille re-chromed (2016), all four carburettor diaphragms being replaced and a full service (2017). The E-Type is supplied with a comprehensive history file containing the original dealer welcome pack with Passport to Service, brochure and handbooks. The car has the original tool kit, maintenance receipts for approx, £10,000, MOTs from 1978, photographs and Heritage certificate. Having been cherished by all of its owners (currently a retired Concorde engineer), this E-Type would grace any important collection. V5, V5C, MOT to April 2019, tax exempt

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Jaguar is a Star Car

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A 1971 Jaguar E-Type, with just 32,000 miles from new is one of the star cars in the Charterhouse auction of classic and vintage cars on Wednesday 12th September. “The Jaguar E-Type made its debut in 1961 and was an instant success with its sleek and stylish design, 0-60 mph time in under 7 seconds and 150 mph top speed.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “The car was commented by Enzo Ferrari as being the most beautiful car in the world. Buyers queued up to own an E-Type with stars including Bridgette Bardot, Steve McQueen and Tony Curtis all being proud drivers of their E-Types.”

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Secret Diaries

A diary, kept by Bertie Kennedy Blount who served with the SOE (Special Operations Executive) during the Second World War, along with other Bertie Blount ephemera is going under the Charterhouse hammer in their auction of militaria and other collector’s items on Friday 21st September.

“Whilst we often come across diaries, you do not see many from war time in case they fell in to enemy hands!” Commented Richard Bromell. “Especially when the keeper concerned worked in the very secretive and very dangerous SOE.”

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Designer Jewellery Fit For a Queen

A small collection of jewellery by Andrew Grima is included in the Charterhouse two day auction of jewellery, silver, watches and antiques on 23rd and 24th August.

“Andrew Grima was an Anglo-Italian jewellery designer who became known as the doyen of modern jewellery design in Britain.” Commented Charterhouse jewellery specialist Naomi Grabham. “He became the foremost jewellery designer in the West End in the 1960’s and 1970’s selling designs from his exclusive Mayfair gallery.”

Andrew Grima designed jewellery has had many admirers and collectors over the decades. Notable patrons have include The Queen, Princess Margaret, Barbara Hepworth, Jackie Onassis with fashion icons Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs.

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