G.W. RAILWAYANA AUCTIONS LTD
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Welcome to GWRA Weblogs, all about Railwayana Collecting at GWRA Railwayana
11/05/08 from Webmaster |
Well, what a resounding success the auction was yesterday. With the economy suffering uncertain times, railwayana still shines through. With approximately 400 attendees, prices were bouyant, the Porters were well on form and everyone enjoyed the social aspect of the event, a perfect demonstration of how precious the live auction really is. Results are already published, we don't hang around I'm proud to say. We are now taking items for the 15th November auction and guarantee your items of note will appear on our website. In doing so, we assure maximum exposure time for Vendor items and maximum exposure time for Buyers to appreciate what they have available. One last point, a quiet message to the low life thief who stole the shedplate...the entire railwayana world, good, honest, decent people (with the exception of you) from all walks of life, are utterly appalled at your actions and are looking for you. We unite in our determination to catch you! However, you have chance to redeem yourself and return the item without recourse either directly to us or through any recognised third party.
. GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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08/04/08 from Webmaster |
The catalogue for the 10th May Railwayana Auction has now gone to the printers and I am currently working on the webcat, with images, to present on our website. Meanwhile, I have uploaded the pdf version so click here if you are able to view.
. GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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26/02/08 from Webmaster |
Although we will always be known as GWRA (or even Pershore Auctions to many), we are currently undergoing a small re-branding exercise as some may have noticed from our main web page. We are now G.W. Railwayana Auctions Ltd, less of a mouthful than before but still retaining our identity, logo and substance as before. Our success has driven us forward with haste and we are now in the final stages of VAT registration. This will mean that our commission for both Vendors and Buyers will be subject to VAT being added and will commence with our next auction on 10th May 2008. With the forthcoming catalogue almost complete, we are no longer accepting items for the May sale, unless it is something outstanding that can be wedged into a suitable position before final printing. . GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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26/02/08 from Webmaster |
More 'goodies' now arrived including GWR C/I boxboard HEATHFIELD SIGNAL BOX and LMS Boxboard BOURNVILLE. The latter sits quite nicely with the Bournville Totem and Bournville Direction Sign. Most would have spotted the Goytre Wharf GWR cast iron sign by now. Personally, I think this is the best GWR sign ever and certainly the only opportunity ever to acquire it. What isn't on the next auction page yet is another excellent cast iron sign in the shape of a Rhymney Railway C/I, Bi Lingual Trespass Sign....what another rarity GWRA have unearthed! The auction is now all but full but we would find space for your quality items enabling them to sit shoulder to shoulder with the delightful selection we already have on offer. We will be at Quorn this coming Sunday so you can meet either Simon or myself. . GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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11/02/08 from Webmaster |
Pace is hotting up for the May auction now that dreary old January is behind us. Looking through the office window looks like a summers day except the daffodils are in bud and the beech hedging has dried brown leaves clinging to otherwise bare branches. Treasures today includes an A4 chime whistle and an A3 whistle, not to mention a Class 47 Nameplate and a Castle Smokebox Numberplate. Also a variety of other goodies, not least three BR Direction Signs, all to be photographed soon. More totems arrive tomorrow and a couple of collections with substantial items along with multiple Key Tokens, some quite rare, in the next 2 -3 weeks. So, time is getting short so contact us now should you wish to get your items in this sale. . GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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10/12/07 from Webmaster |
Time has certainly flown since the auction on the 24th and organising the aftermath has taken up most of the time, hence little on the blogs. Having had a couple of weeks to get over the sheer elation at such a magnificent day, I have to confess, I still retain all the excitement and pleasure enjoyed throughout that day and, courtesy of your good selves, am absolutely delighted having received the wonderful accolades bestowed upon us. I have to say a big, big thank you to all those who have taken time to write, email and speak personally to congratulate us on, some even say, the best railwayana auction they have ever attended, not just at Pershore, but anywhere. Not only did we have a magnificent array of items, but also the professionalism, organisation, cash desk facility run by Karen and her team, slick auctioneering from Simon, canteen facility, quality of food, extended public address system and last but by no means least, the jovial, friendly team of porters and staff. I’ll add my own accolade to you, the public, clients and friends who attended and became an integral part of the proceedings to make it a most memorable day.
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Now, on an utterly distasteful incident, we note with considerable disdain the disgraceful behaviour of a fellow auctioneer, making a very public statement in a desperate attempt to vilify us and justify the lack of any bids on a Battle Of Britain nameplate he was auctioning. The exact quote when the plate failed to get a starting bid at £20,000 was: - “It is no surprise when people give away Squadron sets” Goodness how the mighty have fallen and we are not in any way referring to any failures of this individual or indeed anyone else’s ability to sell anything. We are in fact referring to auctioneers who stoop to murky depths below their own pedestal. The words this particular auctioneer uttered in public must be echoing through the heads of all those concerned with that auction house and we really don’t envy the embarrassment it must be causing them. We at GWRA are far too professional and certainly above the childish antics of those who smirk when other auction houses fail with items. Auctions are precisely that and items that come up for sale in an auction sell for what someone is prepared to pay, nothing more, nothing less and any failure of an item to sell in one auction, is certainly not the fault of another auction house. Sadly we are unable to prevent these vitriolic outbursts but we do intend preventing the opportunist nature of others who openly attempt to disrupt and discredit the better side of railwayana, the side that GWRA are firmly entrenched within. As
a consequence of this deplorable behaviour, we have no choice but to
write to those concerned to express our outrage and let it be known
that behaviour of this nature is totally unacceptable. . GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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24/10/07 from Webmaster |
For the model enthusiasts, we have a selection of 0 Gauge scratch built locos in our sale next May. There are no models in the forthcoming auction with the exception of the early, clockwork layout with rolling stock and of course the two 5" Gauge 'live steam' locos. Whilst on the subject of models, the Cotswold Model Railway Show is taking place at Thomas Keble School, Eastcombe near Stroud on Saturday 10th November 10am - 5pm and also Sunday 11th November 2007 10am - 4pm. For more information visit www.phoenixmrcglos.co.uk/cmrs Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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19/10/07 from Webmaster |
The catalogue is now at the printers but for those fortunate enough to be reading this, just got to the next auction page and follow the catalogue link. Happy reading, hope you can make Pershore on the 24th November. Don't forget we have catering second to none, ample, convenient parking and railwayana to suit all pockets.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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17/10/07 from Webmaster |
With the catalogue now complete and awaiting the off to the printers, we can reveal that a number of foreign worksplates have been listed within. We know that in the past, collectors of such are more prolific than one might imagine. No surprise because the majority were British built and the plates we have are Beyer Peacock (ex Bengal & Assam Railways 4-6-0 RS Class) North British Railways (ex Nigerian Railways River Class Loco); Vulcan Foundry (qty 2 ex Nigerian Railways and ex Ghana Railways); Henschel (ex Malawi Railways) Items for the May 2008 auction are already coming in and we have some wonderful entries to be announced soon Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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09/10/07 from Webmaster |
Well, the very special item has been collected and yet another stunning find to add to the forthcoming November auction. For the clock collectors we have a GWR & RR Joint Fusee in absolutely original condition with the ghost lettering 'GWR & RR Cos, Spiridion, Cardiff' visible. As far as we know, one has never been on the market before, in fact, this is the first one even known. GWRA certainly bring you the rarities in style! Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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09/10/07 from Webmaster |
A number of notable late arrivals for the 24 November auction are certainly causing a 'stir' amongst collectors. The Nameplates speak for themselves of course and thank you to all those who have taken time to email me to comment on such a marvellous array. Like many, we too believe this to be the best selection to appear at any single railway auction ever. The GER brass Fireman's Helmet and Fire Brigade Armband are absolute stunners and apparently, no-one has ever seen either of these before. Tim Petchey of Winchcombe Railway Museum has an NER Helmet in the collection but neither of these. Personally, I think the helmet is one of the best items of railwayana I have seen and the appeal will be broad. One of the boiler plaques from Gresley A4 Pacific 60024 KINGFISHER is also in the sale and this is a wonderful addition. The two plaques fitted by British Railways were presented by the Royal Navy when HMS Kingfisher was decommissioned. BR even utilised the original back board because having removed the frame for close inspection, the stamping 'Top Starboard' is clearly visible. RSC Miniature Staffs are always sought after and we have a real treat in store for North Staffs Railway enthusiasts with no less than 3 examples LEEKBROOK JUNC - CALDON KIDSGROVE JUNCTION - GOLDENHILL HASSAL GREEN -LAWTON STN Also, a GNR Signal Lamp brass plated INGESTRE. Not NSR but the company crossed the far outpost of the GNR Stafford to Uttoxeter line at Ingestre, so pretty special. Whilst on the subject of Single Line Staffs etc., a most unusual, wooden staff with end key and brass plate DUNSTER - MINEHEAD BAY LINE is also in the auction and also a steel staff brass plated BOSCARNE JUNC - BODMIN TOWN. Together with a substantial array of Cornish alloy key tokens and a few others from different areas, in addition to the Gangers and Annetts Keys, the pair of Lynton & Barnstaple Tablets will have plenty of quality company throughout the sale. Whilst we wait for one more very special item to be collected, the catalogue hovers in anticipation, complete and ready for proofing with this one exception. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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27/09/07 from Webmaster |
With press release going out today, we can now divulge that we will be auctioning 8 main line nameplates in the November auction of railwayana. Images will appear later this afternoon so keep a watchful eye on the next auction page throughout this evening Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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24/09/07 from Webmaster |
It's been pretty hectic over the last few weeks with a wonderful array of very 'tasty' items coming in for the November auction. These include a nice Whistle collection to include a Hull & Barnsley Railway cylindrical Guards Whistle, TVR, RR, L&YR cylindrical and a L&YR Button Whistle, Met & District PW, Met Rly etc. Big Whistles include a Merchant Navy Bulleid Whistle ex Brocklebank Line. A gorgeous L&YR cut-glass Decanter, NER crested Chamber Pot and an LNER Minton example A large array of single line Key Tokens/ Tablets / Staffs, LSWR Lamps and Cash Bags from Devon & Cornwall Silverplate to include a Midland Railway 'Filligree' Cover, stunning LNER Tureen with ornate lid, ornate LNWR Water Jug. More Posters to be listed soon. We have very limited space left so closing for entries will be end of this week for items requiring prominent images. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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04/09/07 from Webmaster |
As you can see, the on-line auction of Totems has commenced and a couple more have been added since start. Also a couple of other items not even remotely connected with totems! I'm quite happy to add anything else provided it is suitable but the main thrust is totems. You may also have noticed that I have spread the 'lot end' time. A sensible decision to allow last minute telephone bidding if so desired, without being caught out by everyone trying to contact me at the same time. I've been asked by a couple of customers whether the totems for the November sale appear now in the on-line auction. Simply not, we just haven't published those for the live November sale just yet. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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29/08/07 from Webmaster |
If you haven't noticed the poster images on the 'next auction' page, take a look now and click the thumbnails for larger images. The Quad Royal at the top is quite stunning and exceedingly rare. Only one has ever been publicly auctioned previously as far as we know. It has everything the seaside poster should have: sun, sand, sea, children, families, bathing beauty, ships and even seagulls....perfect. The second continues with the bathing beauty theme and again is quite stunning and the third concentrates on the family scene. More poster images soon including a delightful Bournemouth by Pines Express. Another mainline Nameplate and Cabside has been entered, early GWR Hall Class 4978 WESTWOOD HALL, not seen previously and in superb condition with original splasher paintwork, stamped on rear including 'R' for right hand plate. Cabside is stamped with usual, early GWR notation. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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23/08/07 from Webmaster |
Good news for web watchers and railwayana collectors alike. By specific request, a couple of Estate Collections of Totems are to be auctioned on-line by GWRA. The auction will commence on Monday 3rd September and end on Monday 1st October and will appear with all lots photographed, on our main website, www.gwra.co.uk. At present there are 14 quite stunning Totems, some exceptionally rare, to be listed. All will carry an undisclosed reserve and anyone registered with GWRA will be able to bid by email or telephone. Anyone not already registerd with us, can do so via the same medium. Contact us if you are unsure whether you are registered or not. If you have any surplus Totems or indeed anything else of a similar nature that you would like to add to this auction, up to Monday 15th September (the auction will roll-on until close) GWRA will only charge Vendors 5%. If you deliver them to us at Quorn, we will ensure inclusion on the start date. No details will be disclosed until start but as a taster, there will be a STOCKTON and a DARLINGTON If,
on the other hand you prefer to place your items in the 'live sale'
on 24th November, we still have spaces but they are very limited. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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07/08/07 from Webmaster |
It never ceases to amaze me when I open up deliveries that turn up almost out of the blue. Take today for instance. Three parcels arrive and I sift through the contents to find a number of gems lurking between books, maps and ledgers (some very tasty as you will find out) and there I find this stunner
Yes, it's a GWR brass Cashbag plate. Is it special then?.........is it ever! Anyone ever seen anything from Preston Halt before? Unless I'm corrected, not even a photograph exists, although I'm sure someone will find one now, I hope. On July 24th 1911 a new halt was opened behind Preston Sands, situated between Torquay and Paignton. Known as "Preston Platform", it was used only until the outbreak of the 1914-18 War, closing on September 21st 1914. Obviously the engraver was told to make it Halt rather than Platform. An
incredible survivor indeed. Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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02/08/07 from Webmaster |
Just in case you haven't looked on the 'next auction' page yet, a wonderful collection of Shedplates have now arrived and I have listed them, along with the others already in. You will see that there are a number of great rarities with some never having been at auction before and a number only once or twice at auction before. In truth, there are very few Shedplates left now that have never been out so with the huge upsurge in interest in this field, GWRA are extremely pleased to be able to offer such a wonderful variety. We have capped Shedplates for the November 2007 auction now, unless of course you have a real gem or two to rub shoulders with these. Grange Cabside 6854 Roundhill Grange is the latest loco item to arrive. We notice that this hasn't been on the market before but one nameplate has been sold previously and also the smokebox numberplate Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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24/07/07 from Webmaster |
Many of you will know of the disaster to hit Gloucestershire & Worcestershire over the past few days and of the awful state of Tewkesbury at the present time. Like virtually the whole of Gloucestershire, we are without water but we are safe and have electricity. To say we have been lucky and not suffered directly from flood water is an understatement, unlike the countless thousands of householders and businesses around the area. Our hearts go out to them and hope that the weather will now be kind and at least give everyone a breather for the mop-up operation. Life carries on and a cheer this morning was the Railway Antiques Gazette dropping through the letterbox. Definitely worth a mention for those who don't know, they have taken a quite unprecedented decision and stepped into the 21st century and opened a website! Apparently in its infancy, we can all look forward to Tim and Lindsay becoming web-wizards and gradually improving the content and substance in due course. Whoever would have thought!! The address for the RAG website is Like Tim in the editorial of RAG, we too would like to wish Bob & Joyce Smith the very best in their 'retirement' although we're sure to see them in the future. Personally, I can only reiterate Tims comments that these are two of the nicest people one is ever likely to meet, "the perfect gentleman and the perfect lady, a breed apart in today's society'. Still plenty of spaces left in the November auction so don't laze around he garden in the basking sunshine of this wonderful summer, dig out those artefacts in the shed or hiding the ripped wallpaper, it's time you decorated and thinned!
Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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16/07/07 from Webmaster |
Having just picked up a couple of very nice collections, I thought I would pop an image of a very special, local item here on the blogs
Several Totems and Targets have come in too including a very rare BR(M) CASTLE BROMWICH. Only once at auction previously, at Bitton in the formative years of railwayana
Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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06/07/07 from Webmaster |
Time to start the whetting of appetites and to remind everyone that now the last auction is well out of the way, GWRA are now taking items for the November auction. Latest arrival of considerable note is Castle Class Locomotive Nameplate & Cabside (to be sold as one lot) from 7036 TAUNTON CASTLE. The image is on the next auction page. These plates are new to the market having been in the vendors possession since purchase from Swindon Stores. Both are ex loco and quite magnificent. Smokebox Numberplate 62733, ex D49 'Shire' Class NORTHUMBERLAND. Has been in the vendors possession since the year it was removed. Believed to be only the second 'Shire' Smokebox to have come to auction
Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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17/05/07 from Webmaster |
2008 Major Railwayana Auction dates for your diary.
Now that we know the FA Cup Final date we can safely avoid a clash and settle for the 10th May. Also, Saturday 15th November avoiding Guy Fawkes of course!
Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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15/05/07 from Webmaster |
Well, another auction over and work has started in earnest, lotting up for the November one. Get in touch once you have sorted your items, the sooner we get them the sooner they will be advertised on our website. Some real 'tasties' are already in our possession and details will appear soon. Incidentally, I want to completely scotch the silly little rumour emanating from Yorkshire by silly little people, that the auction just gone is the last at Pershore. The sad few in the railway collecting world (and they really do know themselves who they are) will eventually go away. Won't it be a better place once they have!! GWRA are permanently here and riding higher than ever, totally independant and raring to go onwards and forwards, make no mistake. Some great results from Saturday. The Hall making £6,900 puts it top of the league for some time bearing in mind it was just the nameplate, the previous to go to market only a few weeks ago was a full set, nameplate - cabside - smokebox and they only reached £7,200. Having two strong bidders making the difference of course. The Somerset & Dorset Guards Whistle at £500 was quite stunning and will no doubt considerably enhance someones whistle collection. The GWR Button Whistle also did well at £210 and the North Staffs at £150. Just shows that even in small items, gems are still out there. Enamel signs, be they Totems or general signs, still show that quality counts and this was clearly demonstrated by the Leamington Spa General Totem reaching the dizzy height of £7,100 and the superb Severn Tunnel Junction Direction Sign making a mammoth £2,800. I have to say that the latter is the best Direction Sign I have ever seen and the Buyer will be well pleased. Frank Mason, born in Durham (which is not in Yorkshire so apologies to Geordies for the catalogue gremlin!) is one of the better Railway Artists and actually my own favourite. The two watercolours were stunning and the price tag of £2,000 each was no surprise. Normal, maritime paintings by Mason, not associated with the railway, sell for half to three quarters this value so the added poster association made all the difference. Rare shedplates continue to break the four figure mark and three such examples did precisely that. I think that just might be a record, three in one auction. 84D, Leamington came out top with £1,500 closely followed by 75F at £1250 and 60C at £1050. Lynton & Barnstaple Tablets are still quite strong selling for between £2,000 and £2,500. The 3½" Live Steam loco was hotly contested and reached a healthy £3,600. Just shows that GWRA can achieve excellence even slightly outside the box. Live Steam welcome for future auctions, looks like we can outdo even the specialist auctions in this field!! Keep watching for more updates, meanwhile, happy collecting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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13/05/07 from Webmaster |
Some comments recieved Sunday morning....already!!!
from Milkman.............Really have to let you know what a wonderful day we had yesterday at your railway auction.It was slick, professional and the items you had were outstanding. Where you hold your auctions is perfect although the building work was a bit unexpected but the alternate entrance was quite well signposted. Full marks, we look forward to coming again in November and hope we can go away with some nice items once again. from DH................Many Thanks for an excellent day yesterday! from JB.............. Good auction yesterday, well done!! from JR...............Superb auction, superb catering from T..............Wonderful atmosphere, friendly people, relaxed yet professional. Not the pressure, hustle & bustle of others. Well pleased with the excellent results you achieved for my items, more of mine for November, thank you so much from
G.....................Just seen the auction results.
From Webmaster..... It's so refreshing to hear these comments. We did have a super day yesterday and the results were quite staggering. We already have some wonderful items entered for November, including some extremely desirable West Country 'tasties'. We are of course taking items for November from now on. On a more sombre note, feedback from our ever growing clientele is increasing regarding conversations, tactics and quips at our auctions made by unsavoury persons from "other concerns". We only allow approved Trader stalls, the Railway Antiques Gazette and Solent Railwayana to advertise their business on our premises. Anyone else doing so is in contravention of our regulations and we will not hesitate to bar such individuals from this coming November onwards. We ask our customers to let us know if you were approached by anyone touting their business in an unsolicited manner on our premises. Please treat such instances as junk email and spam, it only warrants deleting.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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12/05/07 from Web Master |
Results from todays auction are published in pdf format here (click link)
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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08/05/07 from Web Master |
Catalogue amendments noticed Lot
135 is in fact 3½" gauge and nothing like 2¼"
as stated Lots 200 and 201 images are shown the wrong way around in the hard copy catalogue
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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27/04/07 from Web Master |
Catalogues should be dropping on doormats this morning if they haven't already arrived. We hope there is something for everyone within and look forward to seeing you all at Pershore in just over two weeks time. We will be at Stoneleigh tomorrow and will take tems for the November auction.
GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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12/04/07 from Web Master |
The catalogue for the forthcoming Railwayana Auction is now complete and will be off to the printers this week. I have uploaded in pdf format, including the Supplementary catalogue and the link is here We are accepting email and postal/telephone bids from now The
normal web catalogue, with images will appear soon. GWRA ~ Live Railway Auctions at Pershore ~ At their best
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31/03/07 from Web Master |
With closing date for entries to the forthcoming 12th May auction set for this coming Friday 6th April, a reminder that we now only have space for quality items as the auction is all but full. We are taking items for the November auction but if you wish to deliver to Pershore on the 12th May, please contact us first. If you aren't aware, the upcoming auction has a wonderful signalling collection of Alloy Key Tokens and no less than 3 Lynton & Barnstaple steel and brass tablets from different sections. Additionally, an extremely interesting array of items from Mode Works on the Manchester Ship Canal including the two nameplates Arundel Castle and Alnwick Castle, qty 3 MSC Steam Cabsides (one slightly damaged by a wartime bomb) and a plethora of Hudswell Clarke Worksplates. Also a wonderful, full size Sentinel Sword Emblem and a selection of Registartion Plates to match the Worksplates. The Ephemera catalogue will be sent with the main catalogue. Unfortunately, we will not be able to display the Ephemera items at Pershore so we have extended the closing date so that additional telephone enquiries and possible private viewing can take place. This is of course similar to standard telephone auctions but we are currently adhering to pre signed cheque/bid submissions for the Ephemera only. Within
the Ephemera auction there is a substantial amount of Ticket lots together
with Luggage Labels, Official Booklets and Pamphlets and other paperwork
items of interest totally around 450 Lots.
GWRA
~ Live Railway Auctions at their best |
19/02/07 from Web Master |
Apologies for the lack of input to the Blogs recently, have been extremely busy with 3 catalogues currently on the go. However, a bit of a short cut to something I found extremely amusing, with considerable 'modern image' appeal. I am a self confessed fan of Clive James and this article, link to the BBC website, tickled me crimson lake! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6368477.stm 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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09/02/07 from Web Master |
Unfortunately, more items have been reported stolen from the National Railway Museum 1. Enamel station name Eskdale Mines 2. Brass nameplate from the 1979 Replica Rocket 3. Two Steam
Locomotive Models: Gauge 1 Aster live steam model Southern Railway “Schools
Class” 4-4-0 “Winchester” Green Livery and Gauge 1
Bowman London and North Eastern Railway 0-4-0T No 300 Green Livery GWRA
reiterate that artefacts at the NRM belong to The Nation. It won't be
difficult to recognise these items so please, everyone be vigilant and
should any surface, let the NRM know immediately or indeed, ring your
local police. 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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03/01/07 from Web Master |
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS WORLDWIDE AND ALL WHO BROWSE OUR WEBSITE It is a great pity we have to start the New Year with the report of a theft from the National Railway Museum that took place during the Christmas break. The numberplate from 'COPPERNOB' was taken. It is oval brass with black painted background, lettered Furness Railway 3. Artefacts
at the NRM belong to The Nation
and we would all like this historic plate returned. It won't be difficult
to recognise so please, everyone be vigilant and should it surface,
let the NRM know immediately or indeed, ring your local police. 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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29/12/06 from Web Master |
Here's hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas as we did, now it's back to business as usual. Most significant occurence to report is the arrival of a PENZANCE totem, along with a very nice HERNE BAY. Only one Penzance has ever been on the market before and that was almost 4 years ago. I did say it was time to get those totem treasures to GWRA to rub shoulders with Leamington Spa General and we are so pleased to be able to offer one of the top Western Region examples ever. Did you know that another treasure is in the 'wings' too!!
'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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14/12/06 from Web Master |
I promised more spotter jottings to give some light relief from the auction bustle and I'm delighted to have received the following from LAS. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I did. I'm keen to encourage contributors because it is memories such as these that we all really ought share. The vast majority of railwayana collectors were enthusiasts in their youth and the foundations of what we see and have today, were cemented in those far off, halcyon days when the sun shone forever and trains were trains. FROM LAS I was
impressed by the descriptions in your recent BLOG of living by the
It brought
back many memories of my own but what made me most envious was
My desire
to visit more exotic places was because although that I too grew
To be
fair, my Mum had taken me to stay with my great Aunt in Ascot when I
So when
did I get my opportunity to visit the West Coast main line? Well I
The first
visit was on a summer Saturday, when Lancaster was a busy station.
After
much negotiation and no doubt manipulation and pleading on my part,
my
'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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03/12/06 from Web Master |
Just received a parcel of 'goodies' from client in Spain and amongst the items, buried deep inside was this,
click the image for high quality We are already on the trail of, amongst everything else, top quality totems and they don't come better than this little rarity. Never on the market before and sought after by so many, this treasure is destined for the May 2007 railwayana auction. If you want your special totem to rub shoulders with the likes of Leamington Spa General, then don't delay. Get in touch with us now and we guarantee maximum exposure straight away, no painful waiting for catalogues to drop on doormats. GWRA act instantly to maximise the potential of every piece of quality railwayana entered into our sales. We mean what we say when we say 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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03/12/06 from Web Master |
I will be delivering many items for successful GWRA buyers to Sheffield this coming Saturday. I can collect items for the next auction at the same time but please contact me beforehand to discuss 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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29/11/06 from Web Master |
Postal and telephone bidders are reminded that we are now in a position to accept all major credit and debit cards
Unsold Lots appear on the last auction page as blanks in the cost column. These are available on a first come, first served basis at reserve. Offers below reserve will be passed to the vendor for consideration. Note the new GWRA number for Simon: 01386 765660 We have decided to issue a confidentiality statement to demonstrate the way forward and reassure our clients both current and future, that they can have utmost confidence in our ability to act on their behalf in a purely professional manner. Our mission has always been to fulfill their needs in the best possible manner based on the secure reputation we have built over many years. The link is on our home page for all to see. 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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28/11/06 from Web Master |
We are of course now taking items for the next May auction of railwayana. With this, there will be a supplementary ephemera and small item auction running in parallel. So, don't confine your entries to hardware, look out those those old bits of paper/tickets/booklets/buttons.badges/passes etc and if you have something special that you think worthy of inclusion, call me for a chat. I've added a couple of lines extra on the home page warning of misleading tactics by some Dealers. The warnings are more pertinent in view of unfortunate, pointed feedback received by us at Pershore on Saturday. GWRA Clients, both Sellers and Buyers are of paramount importance to us and we believe such antics wholly detrimental to the interests of everyone. Perpetrators are becoming rather tiresome and most certainly annoying. They will, in future, be publically excluded. 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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28/11/06 from Web Master |
Whew, auction over until the next one and what a day yesterday was! We had a record attendance by quite a margin and it was wonderfully refreshing to see so many new faces helping along new world records and some incredible prices that have pushed us further and further ahead of many competitors. Results are published already (E&OE) and there are some amazing results within. Star of the show was the A3 nameplate CORONACH which climbed to an astonishing £23,000 (£25,300 including Buyers Premium)) far outstripping the existing record for the class which stood at a mere £20,050. No surprise though, being arguably one of the best names and possibly most distinguished of locos of all the A3's with its Waverley connection. This undoubtedly had a huge bearing on the interest. We are sure this attracted a number of fresh bidders as well as some established collectors and it was vigorously fought over to the end. Another star, second only to the nameplate but of significant, historical importance, was the Great Western Railway Worksplate. Quality counts when it comes to railwayana and this was one of the best items we've ever had the pleasure to handle at GWRA. It shot to £10,100 like an express train, missing the record by only a couple of hundred pounds that was set a few years ago for a prestigious A4 locomotive worksplate. Not a bad effort for a little tank engine, right up there with the big boys!! The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway brass Tablet took our record even further ahead when the hammer dropped at £6,300 (£6,930 including B.P). Railway signalling fever wasn't just confined to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway either. The Petrockstow - Torrington Junction rose to £1120 (£1232 incl B.P) and the Tyndrum - Crianlarich Tablet achieved £960 (£1056 incl B.P.) Honington Hall nameplate didn't get a floor bid at all even though the start price was just £4,000. However, it wasn't long before a call came in and it sold at reserve of £5750 (£6325 incl B.P.) An extremely vibrant and successful auction all round and we look forward to 2007 with great expectations for all collectors and vendors alike. Watch this space for more news and views. Next on line will be more enthusiasts jottings and memories from the steam days. GWRA Railwayana Auctions ~ held at Pershore Worcestershire ~ Worldwide Audience 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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19/11/06 from Web Master |
It's been a very hectic Sunday putting lot stickers on just about 500 lots but it's all done and we are ready for the auction this coming Saturday. Whilst scrutinising just about every lot, we discovered a few points not noted in the catalogue and certainly worth a mention. Most significantly lot 29. It is a rather delightful, LMS embossed Loco lamp of LYR pattern and, as we have discovered, of considerable rarity. Also, lot 436 isn't any old Spagnoletti Block Instrument. Both indicators have a plate affixed that carry the unusual, shadow lettering. We have not seen this example before and a number of pre-auction visitors haven't either. Looks as if we have unearthed another treasure without initially realising. A snippet from the Vendor of lot 159, the Cambrian Railways C/I Fender actually came from Llansaintffraid station. Some lots are catalogued based on Vendor information. Often the catalogue is submitted to the printers before we actually get hold of these items and invariably a few 'gremlins' find their way in! Certainly the case with lot 377 which is in fact plated Langworth; some distance from Langwith Junction! Hope to see you all at Pershore on Saturday. Drive carefully and get to us safely. There are building works at the school at the moment but we shouldn't be affected beyond minor inconvenience of the loss of a few parking spaces and maybe a slightly different entrance. Signposts will be prolific if needed. The catering manager is new and rumour has it the food is even better than ever. Apparently, the full English breakfast awaiting the 'early birds' is something quite special. Quite likely the last Blog before the auction as it's going to be a very busy week or two.
GWRA Railwayana Auctions ~ held at Pershore Worcestershire ~ Worldwide Audience 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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18/11/06 from Web Master |
With the November auction a mere week away, we still maintain the impetus for future auctions and items are now being accepted for the next scheduled railwayana auction in May 2007. A couple of significant items of great interest have arrived for the May 2007 auction of railwayana in the shape of a couple of Frank H. Mason original water colour paintings produced for the LNER poster 'East Coast' and the BR poster 'Scarborough'. Frank
H. Mason (1876 - 1965) As soon as the forthcoming auction is done and dusted, I will upload images of these stunning water colours.
GWRA Railwayana Auctions ~ held at Pershore Worcestershire ~ Worldwide Audience 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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01/11/06 from Web Master |
More images have been uploaded to the web catalogue, in particular, many more Shedplates. Other images will appear in due course.
GWRA Railwayana Auctions ~ held at Pershore Worcestershire ~ Worldwide Audience 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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31/10/06 from Web Master |
Now that the dreaded Halloween is upon us, we're about to enter the big month of November and gearing up for the major railwayana auction at Pershore. The catalogue is already on the next auction page and the hard copy is due back from the printer shortly. With the planned Transport auction sometime in the first part of 2007, we have been asked whether or not we will be accepting a large variety of different 'categories' from a variety of people hitherto unknown to the mainstream railwayana circle. It is possible that it may become a 'Collectors Auction' with a strong railwayana / transport flavour.
GWRA Railwayana Auctions ~ held at Pershore Worcestershire ~ Worldwide Audience 'Live Railway Auctions' at their best 'GWRA ~ The Railway Auction'
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29/10/06 from TH |
With the auction looming and most of the hard, preparatory work now done, I thought a little, lighthearted reading might be in order. It's quite wonderful how life produces little quirks that are totally unexpected. I like the phrase 'railway historians' and whether we were 'spotters' or 'gricers' or 'anoraks' or indeed whatever nomenclature one wishes to use, we all have memories that kindle our long and almost endless attraction to the steam age. Reading the ceaseless string of letters in Steam World for instance, admirably demonstrates the yearning for grey cell snapshots of incidents and happenings deep in history. Invariably in short-trousers, we clutched our Ian Allan ABCs, notebooks and pens. We stood in anticipation on platform ends, on country over-bridges, in line-side fields and old cinder paths. We 'bunked' sheds, tagged along with official works parties, craned our necks to get covered in smuts as we dangerously leant from a carriage windows and we got up at 4am to glimpse Pigeon Specials hauled by strange locos from far away. My own memories are numerous and would probably fill a book, but certain events remain as vivid as the day they happened, well almost. One in particular I have publicised through various mediums over the years in the hope that I would find someone, somewhere who could enable closure. Others are just incredible occurrences that I wished were captured on film, not by me, but by someone else with me in the frame! I was born in Worcester and was 8 years of age when my family moved to a house overlooking the main line to the north of the tunnel, twixt Rainbow Hill and Tunnel Hill. With such a wonderful view, it was no surprise that my interest in trains began then. It wasn't until I reached double figures that my parents allowed me to venture further than the park next to the railway track behind the house. So, I soon discovered the delights of Railway Walk, overlooking the Shed and Works, the vast Goods Yard and of course Shrub Hill station. By the time I was 11, I was allowed to venture further particularly as I now had a decent bicycle, no gears like my sisters, but still a bike. So, with the help of some older friends, I found out how to get to Bredicot. I'd never heard of it but I was told that Worcester had an avoiding line used by North - South Expresses and fast Freight Trains. Bredicot, a hamlet with about three houses, a farm and a vicarage, was the nearest place to the side of Worcester we lived, to gain access to this avoiding line. Road traffic was almost non-existent and the road bridge was a great vantage point. Looking north was a decent straight to another bridge near Crowle in the distance, probably ¾ mile. Looking south, a straight of about ¼ mile then a right hand curve toward Spetchley. This spot, interspersed with visits to Spetchley and a footbridge just south of there, became our 'best spot' to cycle to on Saturdays and school holiday days and evenings. By the time I was 12, my horizons opened completely when my father left me with an aunt, near the Elephant & Castle in London, for a 2-week holiday. Stories from that episode would almost fill a couple of chapters of a book! Put it this way, I went spotting all over London for 14 days out of the 14 days! From then on, the world was my oyster, well, not quite, especially with just 2/- pocket money each week! On 10th June 1961, just 6 days before my 13th birthday, I cycled to Bredicot on my own. I arrived to find it deserted. None of my friends were there but I knew they would arrive at some time. It's quite significant that at the moment, I can't remember the time. I did the usual by cycling over the bridge and down the slope about 10 yards, got off my bike and propped it against the fence. At that very moment, I heard an absolute roar to the south and I knew a Passenger was approaching, at some speed too. A Royal Scot burst under the bridge and to my utter amazement, it was double headed with another Royal Scot. I was so taken aback that I missed the second number and couldn't really remember the first either! I just watched in total disbelief as it stormed northwards, up t |
