Smiths Auction Rooms in Newent have had their final sale in 2023, but they are far from resting on their laurels as they are already busy preparing for their popular New Year sale on the 4th & 5th of January.

The catalogue for this sale will go online just before Christmas and this can help the saleroom pick up a number of new buyers who find themselves at a loose end over the holiday period. With some additional marketing both in print and online it is a great time to reach people who, due to the winter weather, are stuck inside for hours thinking more about interiors than at any other time of the year. Add to this the number of antique enthusiasts who have some gift money to spend and the fact that many dealers will need to re-stock after Christmas–and it begins to make a perfect recipie for a remarkably successful sale.

Interestingly many clients assume that this will be a tough time of year to sell and auction rooms can have trouble finding a good selection of antiques to offer, which can force prices even higher.

Smiths Auction Rooms work hard to make the most of this new trend (made possible by the internet) and yet the staff miss the buzz of a pre-Christmas sale. To make amends they will be holding a ‘Pre-Christmas Viewing’ on the 20th of December 2pm to 7pm with mulled wine and mince pies. This is a lovely occasion to enjoy a chat with customers and wish them all a Merry Christmas. Everyone is welcome–so it is a good idea to pop this date on the calendar if you fancy popping in for a sneak preview of the sale. If you are a new buyer to auctions, then it is a great opportunity to meet the team and find out how things work.

The January sale includes a wide range of antiques and collectables including ceramics, glass, gold, jewellery, silver, furniture and collectables. The sale also includes specialist sections for coins and postcards – two very buoyant areas of the collecting market. Entries for the sale are invited now–but you had better be quick as the deadline is the 30th of November in order to allow time for all the items to be photographed, lotted and uploaded onto the internet. Smiths Auctions usually upload around three thousand photographs for each auction as well as laying the saleroom out attractively, so that everything can be viewed in real life looking at it’s best.

Items consigned so far include a very attractive marquise cut diamond ring measuring one carat and estimated at £1500/£2000 as well as a good selection of silver items such as a desk stand and a selection of smaller silver collectables. A good variety of silver and costume jewellery includes a desirable vintage Miriam Haskell glass necklace and bracelet estimated at £200/£400 and a fine Victorian silver locket and chain estimated at £150/£200.

The coin section includes a good range of silver crowns and gold collectors’ coins which are obviously selling well at present due to the high value of precious metals. Postcards are also still very popular, and a collection of local cards includes a number of vintage views of Newent and the now absent railway station. These topographical postcards showing scenes of local historical interest tend to be the most valuable–particularly old street scenes, shop fronts, banks, post offices, pubs, industrial sites, agricultural scenes and so forth. But postcard buyers collect on many different themes including animals, modes of transport such as ships, railways, bicycles etc. but also famous people, humorous cards and sets of cards by particular artists.

The sale is already almost full for furniture including an attractive selection of French furniture from a vendor who has recently moved back to England. Other items include some lovely antique pine and country oak furniture such as antique settles, Windsor chairs, dining tables and bookcases.

Good quality entries are invited now for all sections of the sale by appointment – please telephone 01531 821776 or visit www.smithsnewentauction.co.uk for further information.