Harry Ryans Collection totals £127,000 in The Cotswolds

Yorkshireman Harry Ryans was a well-known and respected figure in the antiques trade.

Born in 1927, the son of a coal miner, he never lost his Yorkshire accent despite living in London for over sixty years. After serving in WWII, he garnered an interest in antiques and had a pitch on the Portobello Road as well as trading from his house. He came to specialise in Victorian era Staffordshire pottery. His in-depth knowledge, exceptionally high standards and wit won him a loyal base of clients and friends across the UK, Europe and America.

Ryans’ collection comprised around two-hundred items of 19th Century Staffordshire chimney ornaments, many being scarce examples. There were animals such as rabbits, lions, dogs, zebras as well as political, military, literary and notorious figures of the day. He died in 2021 and his beloved collection was consigned to Cotswold auctioneers Kinghams who carried out extensive research and marketing of the collection to dealers and private collectors in the UK, Europe and USA. Unprecedented interest in the run-up to the auction on 28th May indicated the collection would far exceed pre-sale estimates.

The entire collection totalled a record £127,000 with some notable individual highlights. In the animal line, Lot 997 a pair of lion and lamb figures dating from circa 1860 sold for £3,200 and Lot 957, a pair of prize-winning greyhounds ‘M.Grath’ and ‘Pretender’ of circa 1871 totalled £4,800. Highest single price for an animal was for Lot 1000, a rare pair of recumbent rabbits chewing lettuce leaves at £5,100.

Notable results along the macabre line include Lot 960, a group of figures relating to the notorious serial killer James Rush, circa 1849 at £1,700. Lot 1052, fellow serial killer ‘The Rugeley Poisoner’ William Palmer and his house also found favour at £1,200.

Military and historical figures were also popular. Lot 1054, a Crimean ware figure of General Windham of circa 1855 brought £3,800 and Lot 954, a group showing Ridley and Latimer burning at the stake, circa 1860 totalled £2,800 whilst Lot 963, a figure of Archbishop Cranmer also burning at the stake, circa 1860 also made £2,800.

A full list of the results from the auction can be found at www.kinghamsauctioneers.com.

Find out the true value of your possessions with Kinghams free valuation services. Market leading experts are on hand in all aspects such as jewellery, watches, silver, pottery, glass, pictures, furniture, designer goods and much more.

Free valuation days are held every Tuesday 10am to 4pm at the Moreton-in-Marsh auction centre in aid of Cotswold Friends. Home visits can be arranged for large/multiple items, estate clearance or downsizing advice. For further information, please contact Adrian Rathbone on 01608 695695 or email adrian@kinghamsauctioneers.com n By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

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William Ratcliffe (British, 1870-1955), still life. Sold for £9,200

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