No election wobbles were felt at General Accident’s Bristol auction last week, despite the sale being held on May 1.
Colin Wilton-Smith, GA’s national auction director, said he was very pleased with the prices achieved. Although he described attendance at the auction as “small”, he felt it was because six of the 17 lots were sold prior, rather than because of the sale day choice.
“There were certainly no election day jitters – everybody was bidding strongly and three of the lots achieved prices over the original private treaty asking prices,” he said. Telephone bids were received on most of the lots, he added.
The sale raised £600,000 and notched up a 94% success rate.
At Leeds-based Handleys’ election day sale, joint auctioneer Simon Handley said prices were good, although attendance was down.
“It was of some concern, but the date was booked a year in advance and so we went ahead with it anyway,” he said. “I think it did keep the numbers down from the vendors’ point of view.” Handleys raised £489,500, selling 75% of the mainly residential catalogue of 17 lots.
