Press Kit
Key Facts about Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
The purpose of this section of the Press Kit is to provide you with a quick overview
of the important aspects of Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood was formed out of the merger of
Bearne's and Hampton & Littlewood on 2nd January 2009.
- Bearne's was formed in 1945 by Arthur Bearne, the grandfather of
the current chairman Richard Bearne.
- Hampton & Littlewood was formed in 2001 by Christopher Hampton,
the former regional director of Phillips, and Rachel Littlewood, the former probate
manager at Phillips.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood is the largest fine art auction
house and valuation business in the South West of England, covering the counties
of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood has specialist departments covering
Books and Manuscripts (including photographs), Ceramics and Glass, Silver, Jewellery,
Maritime and Sporting, Pictures and Works of Art.
- The firm employees eighteen (18) full-time staff, who are supported
by a variety of part-time staff and specialist consultants.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood holds weekly sales, alternativing
between its two saleroom sites in Exeter. The firm holds fine and specialist sales
periodically at both sites.
- All sales are extensively marketed using both traditional media
as well as the latest techniques in emarketing online. All our sales are listed
online with many lots illustrated in colour.
- Major sales have an international reach with Telephone and Live
Internet Bidding available.
- Our fine and specialist sales have fully-illustrated colour catalogues
produced to a very high standard. These are distributed in print and electronic
form.
- We make home visits throughout the West Country, including Devon,
Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. We have representatives based in Dorset and Cornwall.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood has extensive experience in insurance,
probate and auction valuations.