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Press Kit

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.
  • 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 fortnightly sales as well as fine and specialist sales periodically.
  • 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.