Digital Age Auctioneers
Brian Goodison-Blanks reflects on how the Internet is changing the fundamental dynamics
of the auction market. While there is no doubt that online technologies have been
highly disruptive, the auctioneer has not fallen in the digital age. Indeed, by
embracing the new technologies, Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood are reaching many
more buyers world-wide, often for items with very niche appeal.
A diving helment from the Tony and Yvonne Pardoe Collection, which will be auctioned
in June 2016. We have used the Internet and social media to generate considerable
interest from a global audience in this niche collection months before it is due
to be sold.
As the
largest auctioneers in the South West of England, Bearnes Hampton
& Littlewood have continued to develop the range of services offered to our
clients including the effective use of the Internet and live bidding facilities.
Many people doubted the practicalities and demand for
Internet bidding,
perhaps in the same way that the 'Old Guard' scoffed their noses when the first
auction house dared sell anything later than 1840 as antique.
After a few stalled start-ups in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the real development
has occurred over the past ten years with the expansion of the Internet and the
rise of more affordable and faster home computers. The fate of the auctioneer has
not fallen in the digital age as many predicted but in some cases, such as Bearnes
Hampton & Littlewood, the merging of old and new has proven to be very beneficial.
By adjusting cataloguing styles and photographing every lot to be illustrated online,
the result has seen prices rise for many pieces within our
fine art auctions
and specialist sales, such as our
maritime auctions,
sporting and collectors sale
and
rare book auctions.
As well as this, the Internet has also increased the number of items being
consigned
locally and from further afield.
A Bovey Tracey Blue and White Mess Bowl, which sold for a record £3,000 in 2010.
It has been over six years since we sold a Bovey Tracey Pottery Blue and White mess
bowl for a record £3,000 and yet I still receive emails and phone calls from people
who have found one in a cupboard somewhere.
In our
May 2015 Sporting and Collectors Auction, a
very rare and early prototype air pistol
(SC21/145) sold for £1,600. A news article posted on our website (Lincoln Jefferies .177 Air Pistol)
before the sale announcing the find soon set collectors talking on several forums
in anticipation. I don't know how they'll react if I tell them I had a phone
call from another gentleman who has one exactly the same (having seen it it's also
in better condition!) By carefully marketing the piece, it resulted in both a good
sale and another potential vendor.
A very rare, early 20th Century .177 Lincoln Jeffries Air Pistol (SC21/145), which
we sold for £1,600 after successfully marketing it online.
As the digital world gets smaller and faster, Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood have
been developing new ideas and auction practices to reach a worldwide audience from
the
saleroom complex in Exeter. We were one of
the first auction houses to start blogging with
Fine Art Bloggers
and we use social media extensively with a large global audience following
@BHandL
and
on Twitter. We have also recently just launched our own
Fine Art YouTube TV Channel, which now
features a small but growing number of videos promoting lots in our sales.
An early 12 bolt square corselet diving helmet by CE Heinke & Co Ltd, which
we will also be auctioning in June 2016.
In fact, the forthcoming auction of the
Tony and Yvonne Pardoe Collection
of diving helmets and equipment (#Pardoe on Twitter) is a perfect example of how we are reaching buyers on a
world wide scale for niche sales and
single owner collections. With over 150 diving helmets from
manufacturers from around the world, I have already had dozens of emails requesting
further information and catalogue requests months in advance of the sale date. Even
using social media such as Twitter, we have reached international buyers and collectors
for diving helmets, a niche market that standard advertising would not have done.
So far from being a nail in the coffin for auctioneers, the Internet has been embraced
by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood as an effective tool to hone and develop years
of traditional skill and knowledge for the 21st century and beyond.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
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About the Author
 | Brian Goodison-Blanks
Collectables and Toys
Maritime
SportingBrian Goodison-Blanks is the Head of the Maritime and Sporting Department at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood. Originally from London, Brian Goodison-Blanks was educated in the South East and Hampshire obtaining an Honours degree in Archaeology, American Studies and Japanese culture from King Alfred’s College, Winchester. Following a short spell working for Canterbury and Colchester Archaeological Trusts as well as The Ambel Project in Aragon, Northern Spain, he joined a well-respected local auction house in 1995 as a trainee general valuer, rising to Auction Room Manager. In 2004 Brian joined Hampton & Littlewood with special responsibility for re-introducing the specialist Maritime Sale to the South West after a 15 Year absence. Brian’s interest in country sports has also led him to introduce the annual Sporting sale.
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Digital Age Auctioneers was written on Friday, 12th February 2016.