Martin Jonas
May-17-2004, 8:29am
In these days of eBay it's easy to forget that there are still traditional antiques auctions about and that some of them involve mandolins. I can't recall whether it was mentioned here at the time, but I've just stumbled across the web pages of an auction that took place in Bristol in June 2003, where a large collection of musical instruments were sold (the Mickleburgh collection). The catalogue pages with some nice photos are still on line. The list of all lots with valuations is here (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/others/SalePrices_1.html) and a few items stick out:
de Meglio (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/105.html) valued at £40 to £60, sold at £105.
de Santis (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/54.html) valued at £70 to £100, sold at £520.
Ruocco (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/64.html) valued at £50 to £70, sold at £140 (this one looks virtually identical to the de Meglio above).
Another de Meglio (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/70.html) valued at £70 to £100, sold at £370.
Two mandolins and one lute (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/88.html) sold as a single lot, valued at £70 to £100, sold at £115. I have some difficulty visualising this combination of instruments being so cheap in a specialised instuments auction. Seeing that the "lute" is described as "eight string", I'm not too sure it is actually a lute anyway.
Stridente (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/89.html) sold at £105.
Two mandolins and a guitar (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/98.html) sold at £100. These look a bit rough, admittedly.
A mandobass (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/59.html), valued at £70 to £100, sold at £270 and another (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/58.html), sold at £260.
Some auction!
The same site also has listings of other past auction, but unfortunately without photographs. I see, however, that they sold a 1880 Vinaccia with original case in 2001 for £160 (no idea of the condition, obviously).
Martin
de Meglio (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/105.html) valued at £40 to £60, sold at £105.
de Santis (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/54.html) valued at £70 to £100, sold at £520.
Ruocco (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/64.html) valued at £50 to £70, sold at £140 (this one looks virtually identical to the de Meglio above).
Another de Meglio (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/70.html) valued at £70 to £100, sold at £370.
Two mandolins and one lute (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/88.html) sold as a single lot, valued at £70 to £100, sold at £115. I have some difficulty visualising this combination of instruments being so cheap in a specialised instuments auction. Seeing that the "lute" is described as "eight string", I'm not too sure it is actually a lute anyway.
Stridente (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/89.html) sold at £105.
Two mandolins and a guitar (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/98.html) sold at £100. These look a bit rough, admittedly.
A mandobass (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/59.html), valued at £70 to £100, sold at £270 and another (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/58.html), sold at £260.
Some auction!
The same site also has listings of other past auction, but unfortunately without photographs. I see, however, that they sold a 1880 Vinaccia with original case in 2001 for £160 (no idea of the condition, obviously).
Martin