Holt’s Auctioneers’ first main auction of the year attracts £1.2 million in sales

Holt’s Auctioneers’ first offering of 2017 saw a very encouraging start to the year, the 800 Lot auction totalling a hammer price of over £1.2 million with 84% sold on the day. An increased engagement with social media networks certainly added to the build-up and lively viewing days translated into a bustling auction room on the day and successful bidders were evenly spread between the room, the telephones and the ever increasing internet presence (internet participation breaking new ground in being responsible for over £800,000 worth of bidding activity).

The lion’s share of buyers once more remained within the UK, accounting for just under 60% of purchased lots, with Continental Europe still being responsible for the next largest level of participation - but there was a marked upswing in interest from the United States. It seems the strength and interest in the market still manages to remain steadfast, undeterred by current political and financial uncertainties. The highlights of the auction centre on some exceptional examples of best English sidelocks, with two pairs of Boss guns, Lots 1314 and 1315 achieving hammer prices of £70,000 and £80,000 respectively, Lot 1324 a pair Holland & Holland 20-bores selling at £60,000. The top single gun, Lot 1436 again a Holland & Holland, realised a hammer price of £38,000.

The Harold Bull collection of antique firearms held up the tradition that Private Collections drum up elevated levels of interest to pockets of all capacities, with a diverse and eclectic range of items selling at all levels from a couple of hundred pounds to several thousand. A reflection of the success of the collection was a sold percentage of 91% - which will undoubtedly rise following aftersales. With more of the Bull collection still to be offered up for auction in June and with a large number of items in a similar vein already consigned, there will be a rare opportunity to repeat the experience. A full list of the realised prices is now available to download here: http://www.holtsauctioneers.com/admin/A0317_prices.pdf

For those who missed the auction, the opportunity to purchase Lots remaining unsold can do so via the website, where the Sealed Bid sale is also available to view and bid on until its closing at 10:30am on Thursday 30th March 2017 The next auction will be held on 22nd June 2017.