22/09/2023
A George VI, 1937 gold specimen four coin set by the Royal Mint (lot 124), supplied complete with its original case, was the top selling lot at this week’s Oxford Library Sale. Estimated at £6000-£8000 it sold for £9200 to an online bidder after a hard fought battle amongst several interested parties.
Lot 56, an antique German carved Lindenwood and polychrome figure of St George slaying the dragon, also piqued interest. Originally purchased in 1971 from MOATTI, Paris, by the Countess of Hardwicke, this striking 56cm tall sculpture went to an online bidder for its low estimate of £3000.
Featured in the sale were eighteen works by the British portrait painter, Jane Bond (b.1939). Alongside her own art works, were a number of objects she had collected over the years, including two artist lay figures. Lot 20, a mid 19th century child size artist’s lay figure with articulated brass joints and a wooden frame covered with horsehair, wool and cloth sold well above its conservative £250-£350 guide, with the hammer finally falling at £1900 to an online bidder.
An early 18th century Dutch delft tankard in blue Persian style (lot 79) was another item of note, selling to an in-room bidder for £800 against a £350-£450 estimate.
Antiquarian books feature prominently in the Oxford Library Sales and there were two really standout lots in this week’s sale. Lot 451, a 10 volume set entitled ‘The Naturalist’s Library Ornithology’ by Sir William Jardine, dating from circa 1800, went to an online bidder for £620, more than double the low estimate.
Achieving the same price and equally strongly contested, was a more contemporary book, a first edition of Ian Fleming’s ‘Goldfinger’ (lot 418) dating from 1959 by Jonation Cape/Gildrose Products.
Mallams’ sale specialist, Duncan Lloyd said “It was a good, mixed sale with some strong results, and with objects of rarity attracting the most interest’.
Mallams Oxford is now inviting entries for its November Jewellery, Silver and Watches Sale, its December Design + Modern Art Sale and its next Oxford Library Sale in Februrary 2024 . If you have any items you are considering selling at auction please email oxford@mallams.co.uk for a free, informal valuation.
All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).
Stay up to date with your preferred specialist department and be the first to get notified of any future sales.