Beat the winter blues

Friday 23 January 2015

A free valuation day, being held by Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions, could be the perfect opportunity to cash in on jewellery or antiques gathering dust at home.

The Deputy Chairman, James Nicholson, who is a qualified gemmologist will be Jersey on Thursday 29 January to give valuations for fine art, antiques and wine.

Mr Nicholson said: "Perhaps you have an heirloom that you don’t wear and which sits unused in a drawer. This is the chance to find out about it and perhaps the opportunity to be able to place it into a specialist auction. There’s no commitment to sell just because you’ve had it valued, but we can talk you through the process if that is something you would like to do."

It is hoped the valuation day will help unearth more treasures for islanders following the success of a similar valuation event held in Jersey last year.

Wine expert Chris Hambleton was asked to look at bottles of Chateau d’Yquem and was able to tell the surprised owner that they were very sought after. ‘

He said: "The consignor brought the bottles in having no idea of their value and was quite taken aback when I told him he had two of the best and most sought after vintages of the wine. Bidding was fierce on both lots with collectors from the UK, Hong Kong and France fighting out in the room, on the telephone and on the internet."

The two lots of wine eventually sold for £6,600.

Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctionsis owned by the Jersey-based Stanley Gibbons Group and was first established in 1759. They cover all aspects of the fine art and antiques market.

The event takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday 29 January at the Stanley Gibbons’ Hill Street offices. There is no charge but  anyone interested in obtaining a valuation must make a request to do so in advance by email to info@dnfa.com.