Antiques

PAPERWORK

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

There are two types of people when it comes to paperwork; the keepers and the ones who like to throw it away. I come into the second category; I generally do not keep any old receipts. Years ago, I was excited at the prospect of a paperless society and whilst I am sure there has been a reduction in the use of printed receipts, mostly due to emails, I do not think we are anywhere near this yet. And then there are the people who keep their receipts.

A few years ago, we were asked to clear a property in Hampstead. The family had the house built in 1952 and had lived in it ever since. There were decades of detritus throughout the three-storey home, most of which was surplus to family needs or requirements. As mentioned here before, there are not many situations or scenarios I have not come across as an auctioneer and valuer. There is also not much I haven’t seen when it comes to people’s houses, but even I was shocked that the Hampstead family kept all receipts for the past six decades and even retained used chequebook stubs dating back to the early 1950s!

However, sometimes it can be good to keep a receipt. Recently, a gentleman brought into our salerooms a large diamond solitaire ring on a jewellery valuation day. It certainly sparkled in the summer sun. Set in white metal, in all probability platinum, it was bought by the owner’s father in 1969. The receipt with the ring for £2,121 dates to March 1969 when he purchased two diamonds from Glaswegian diamond dealer Tankel, which is still in business today. Clearly, quite a chunk of money back in 1969 and quite a fair amount today. Having had a look on Mr. Google – as I was a toddler in 1969 and had no concept of money back then – according to records the cost of the two diamonds for £2,121 were less than the average price of a UK house at £3,800. Today, and again according to Mr. Google, the average price of a UK house is £265,000. Quite staggering really, how markets change. Moving forward to 2021, and the solitaire diamond ring looks as pretty today as it did back in 1969. Measuring in at over 4ct it is a sizeable stone with good clarity and no visible inclusions.

It is estimated at £27,000-29,000 when it goes under the hammer in our 4th November specialist auction of jewellery, watches and silver. Being sold with the original receipt from 1969 I wonder if the buyer will keep the Charterhouse receipt safe with it for the next 52 years!