Twist Issue 161 May 2024

Tw st
How much might this be worth?
Glance at any TV schedule and you’ll come to
the conclusion that there is no shortage of
interest in antiques and collectables. Deborah
Wain reports from a local valuation event
T
HERE are TV shows digging through the nation’s
drawer-backs in search of saleable heirlooms, while
others follow the fortunes of antiques fair browsers as
they re-sell in a bid to turn a tidy profit on a bargain.
However, with cost-of-living increases, and antique and
vintage pieces becoming ever more fashionable, more of us
have had our curiosity piqued about things we bought years
ago or inherited.
Do we own a piece of treasure that might boost our bank
accounts, or is it simply tat? Sheffield Auction Gallery’s
experts in antiques and fine art are well-qualified to help.
Established in the city since 1840, the business is the
region's oldest auctioneers and valuers.
People can take items in to their premises for free appraisal
and valuation on weekdays, but the team also hit the road
holding valuation days throughout the region, including in
Wingerworth and Chesterfield. These events offer a chance for
local residents to tap into the knowledge of experts without
having to travel far.
While not everyone who attends will experience an Antiques
Roadshow-style reveal of the eye-watering value of their
belonging, there might well be a very nice surprise in store.
At the third valuation event to have been held at St John’s
16
FREE
boiler service with this advert*
Blueflame has you covered.
Take out one of our fantastic packages for
complete peace of mind, knowing that all
parts and labour are included.
Comprehensive
Gold Comprehensive
Cover
Gold Cover
£21.95 £21.95
per per month* month* 2 2
As Silver Cover plus:
As Silver Cover plus:
• boiler controls & thermostats
• boiler controls & thermostats
• replacement • replacement radiators radiators
• hot water, • hot water, cold cold water water & gas & gas pipework
• central • central heating heating pumps pumps
• hot water • hot water cylinder cylinder & header & tanks
Power Power Flush
From From £545 £545
Other Other Services Services
Combi Combi swaps swaps from from £1795 £1795
Boiler upgrades Boiler upgrades from from £2395 £2395
Boiler Smart Boiler Smart Controls Controls from from £275 £275
Central heating systems from £2995
Central heating systems from £2995
Industry approved power flushing £545
Industry approved power flushing £545
Call us for all central heating repairs
Call us for all central heating repairs
Boiler Only
Silver Boiler Cover Only
Silver Cover
• unlimited call outs
• unlimited call outs
• unlimited parts
• unlimited parts
• • unlimited labour labour
• • annual boiler service
Worth
£90
*valid for 30 days
£16.95
£16.95
per month* 2
per month* 2
£15.95
£15.95
Central Heating
Bronze Cover
• • for new boilers under
manufacturers warranty
•
•
annual boiler service
annual boiler service
• unlimited parts & labour on
• unlimited central heating parts system & labour on
• central hot water, heating cold water system & gas pipework
• hot water, cold water & gas pipework
per month* 2
per month* 2
Book your free boiler service
today call 01246 200990
Join Our Team!
We are seeking qualified Gas Safe Engineers to work with us.
Please contact us on the number above if you are interested in
being part of one of the fastest growing businesses in the area?
29040 2BY
www..co.uk
193202
Pictured inspecting some of the items taken along to a recent
valuation day are Sheffield Auction Gallery trio of experts
Sarah Clark, Andrew Jameson and Alison Gillatt
Church, Walton, a queue formed early in the day as people
waited for the team to cast their eyes on a wide variety of pieces.
Specialist consultant valuer Sarah Clark was kept especially
busy looking at silver, jewellery, and watches.
Senior valuer Alison Gillatt, whose remit includes fine art sales
for the auction house, and specialist valuer Antiques &
Collectables, Andrew Jameson, were on hand to appraise items
such as coins, pottery and artworks.
Items that would eventually go on to auction included
silhouettes and model trains.
All clients are notified of the auction in which their item is listed
when there could be just a relatively small number of people in
the room but up to a thousand following online. The business
despatches sold objects all over the world.
Alison said she grew up being taken to auctions and never
considered a career in another field.
She has been employed as an off-screen valuer on TV
programmes including Dickinson’s Real Deal and Flog It.
Memorable
A memorable find on Flog It involved a woman who brought in a
supermarket carrier bag filled with figurines and mugs.
“At the bottom of the bag was a Chinese cup which I
recognised and it later sold for £30,000. To the lady concerned it
appeared no better than anything else in the bag,” recalled
Alison.
Part of the fun for the valuers is that they really don’t know what
is going to be brought through the door next.
Alison added that it was always nice to see the same faces
when people returned with more pieces.
My magazine colleague Mike and I took along a few things of
our own; an old fountain pen, an original watercolour, and a
collection of Blue Peter annuals. Nothing of significant value
there! However, a 20 pence piece minted without a date on was
estimated to be worth £40.