Wealden Times | WT265 | June 2024 | Education Supplement inside

Paddle
We talk to TV legend and local
celebrity Raj Bisram about how to
get the most out of an auction
Alongside appearances
on much-loved BBC
programmes Antiques
Roadshow, Antiques Road Trip
and Channel 4’s Four Rooms,
Raj Bisram’s day job is founding
director of Bentley’s Auctioneers
& Valuers in Cranbrook (and
Mayor of Cranbrook too!) so he
is more than qualified to explain
the appeal of buying at auction.
For many of us, the first
experience of an auction is
through the media of television,
whether it be BBC Bargain
Hunt, Antiques Road Trip or
Flog-It! But if the thought of
attending an auction in real
life fills you with the dread of
accidentally buying a priceless
vase, the reality is very different.
Buying at auction is much
easier than you think and
can give you access to items
that would be very difficult
to find on the high street, at
prices that are a fraction of the
cost. Do, however, factor in
that all auction houses charge
a commission on top of the
hammer price that will be
added on to your final bill.
2025 will be our 30th year as
a respected local auction house,
and in that time our monthly
sales have become a staple for
both local and international
buyers alike. With the advent
of internet auction websites,
we have extended our reach to
all four corners of the globe,
satisfying an ever-increasing
international market. We pride
ourselves in providing a large
choice of quality and interesting
items every month, normally
amassing over 800 lots. From
collectables, ceramics and
furniture, to silver, jewellery,
coins and fine art, our buyers
always find what they want.
Over the years we have sold
many rarities, from a 19th
century US
lifesaving medal
(£7,200) and a large
Chinese bronze temple censor
(£62,000) to rare Single Malt
Scotch Whisky (£1,800) and a
Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson
dressing table (£11,400). But
it is not just the higher value
lots that sell well – many
buyers go home with a personal
bargain piece of furniture or
object to adorn their home.
Why not come along to one
of our sales soon and enjoy
the experience for yourself?
“ ”
Come and meet Raj at Wealden
Times Midsummer Fair at Hole
Park! He’ll be there between 10am
and midday on Thursday 6th June,
so whether you want a picture with
the local mayor, are looking for
some antiques advice or just want to
say hello, he would be delighted to
meet you! See wealdentimes-fair.co.uk
and bentleysfineartauctioneers.co.uk
Some memorable Bentley’s
lots, clockwise from above:
Rare Russian painting by
Vasily Vereshchagin – sold for
£15,000; Rare early Chinese
bronze temple censor – sold for
£62,000; Robert ‘Mouseman’
Thompson dressing table
– sold for £11,400; 19th
century US lifesaving
medal – sold for £7,200
istockphoto.com/ nadia_bormotova
priceless-magazines.com
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