Rare Bank Notes Raise £1000

Rare bank notes that were printed specially to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee went on sale in last weeks Furniture, Clocks & Works of Art auction, raising a fantastic £1000 for The STV appeal. 

The Royal Bank of Scotland produced ten of the limited edition ten pound notes, all with consecutive serial numbers prefixed ‘STV’ with five notes portraying images of the Queen through the decades. These five notes were mounted together in a double sided frame to be sold at McTear’s Furniture & Works of Art auction that took place on Thursday 16th August.

Before the auction, Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV commented on the auction saying it was marvellous news for the STV Appeal with these rare £10 notes anticipated to raise considerably more than their face value. This they did, with an incredible £1000 raised to help children living in poverty in Scotland.

Commenting on the sale, Brian Clements, Managing Director of McTear’s said: “It is extremely rare for a bank to produce special edition notes which makes this collection extremely valuable. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to not only own some very collectable bank notes, but to also raise much needed funds for the STV Appeal”. McTear’s are delighted to be supporting John and the campaign and are very pleased to be able to raise lots of money to help those children in Scotland who are affected by poverty.

Celtic Legend's Rare Medal Put up For Auction

It was a successful week for McTear's with our '3 Days of Auctions' including the Furniture, Clocks and Works of Art & Collectables auction that saw a rare medal given to Celtic legend James ‘Sunny Jim’ Young go under the hammer. 

         Celtic F.C. Interest a gold medal awarded to James 'Sunny Jim' Young in season 1910-11

The medal which is dated 1910-11 was awarded to the legend, Jimmy Young, for playing in a Scottish League team against his English counterparts.The former Celtic captain played 443 times for the Glasgow side and despite only winning one cap for Scotland against Ireland in 1906, he played for the Scottish League side on six occasions including the game against England in 1911 in which he received the medal that is now being sold. Originally from Kilmarnock, Jimmy Young joined Celtic in 1903 on a free transfer from Bristol Rovers. Before he retired in 1917 due to injury, Young enjoyed fourteen trophy laden years with the club. Devastatingly, he sadly died in 1922 at the age of just 40 following a tragic motorcycle accident.

The medal was expected to fetch between £800 and £120

Commenting on the sale, McTear’s Managing Director Brian Clements said: “This is a chance to get your hands on a piece of footballing history. It’s rare that memorabilia belonging to true greats appear for auction and when you look at Jimmy Young’s achievements he has to fall under that category. This medal will appeal not only to Celtic supporters but collectors of all sports memorabilia.”

More information on this and other auctions at McTear's can be found on our website.

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Secret Kray Orders to Go Under The Hammer

20 page document of rare criminal letters

Rare letters from two of the world’s most notorious criminals will form the macabre centrepiece of a Glasgow auction later this month.

The letters from the late East End London gangster, Reg Kray, and American cult leader and convicted murderer, Charles Manson, are expected to sell for hundreds of pounds when they go under the hammer at McTear’s Auctioneers on 16th August. 

Both items have been put up for sale by the internationally renowned ‘murderabilia’ collector and true crime author, Steven F. Scouller, with the letter from Reg Kray giving a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the infamous Kray twins.

The 20 page document is a diary of ideas and orders for ‘Kray Firm’ gang members to carry out and is written in code to deter detection by authorities.  In the letter Kray states: “Go to work for the fee.  I’m so proud of all you’ve achieved,” and is signed off at the bottom with “Take care, God bless, affection, yours Reg.”

Kray also makes numerous references to ‘Karl’ who was an associate on the outside.  Karl was muscle for hire who would do the twins’ bidding and the letter cryptically says: “31^st July at your place Karl will tell him to cook up. Talk later of him.”

In the Charles Manson letter, the infamous cult leader rambles almost incoherently about his relationship with ‘Manson Family’ members. 

In the bizarre document, Manson states: “It can be used as the people in the so-called Family used me; by giving me their problems…all I did was give them the answers … You see them singing my music and dancing my motions.  That’s how I’ve survived all my life by staying on top of my end.”

Commenting on the sale, Steven F. Scouller, said: “Murderabilia is the name given to items that were once owned or created by notorious criminals.  I believe that letters by such people as Charles Manson and Reg Kray should be preserved so future generations can study them in a bid to help understand the terrible decisions these criminals made.”

Brian Clements, Managing Director at McTear’s, added: “These are very unusual items that give an insight into the minds of two of the world’s most notorious criminals.  It is rare to find detailed letters like these coming to auction and I expect there will be considerable interest in the sale.” 

The auction will take place on Thursday 16^th August at 6pm at McTear’s Auctioneers, Meiklewood Gate, Glasgow.

The Brain Game

Compete to be the Brainiest Company in Glasgow with Marie Curie at a fantastic event sponsored by McTear's.

For many years McTear’s have supported Marie Curie and this year is no different as we sponsor their Brain Game event on Thursday 25th October 2012.

Do you think you have what it takes to grab the title from ‘Thales’ the 2011 Champions? In the wonderful surroundings of Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, you’ll be in good company at this prestigious event. Not only will you be supporting a great cause, but you and your guests will enjoy a Black-Tie dinner, an 8-round celebrity-led quiz, a champagne reception hosted by Glasgow’s Lord Provost and a big prize raffle & auction.

A fantastic night is expected to be had by all and we would be delighted to see you all there to help raise vital funds to ensure local Marie Curie Nurses can continue to provide totally free end of life care to terminally ill people in our area and give much needed support to their families.

IF you are interested in attending this event you can book your table directly by phoning Paul Cockram on 0131 561 3946 or email paul.cockram@mariecurie.org.uk

In the meantime, to keep up to date with what McTear's are up to, keep an eye on our Website, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.

'The Haining' auction achieves fantastic sales...

The unique auction that took place on the 19th of July attracted a lot of attention from keen bidders. The sale of the contents of one of Scotland's most beautiful historic mansions, which included rare paintings, period furniture and valuable objects d’art, raised over £100,000. 

McTear's were extremely excited to to be the auctioneers to hold the sale of the contents of the Palladian mansion; The Haining, an impressive Borders estate with its own loch. What made this auction even more exciting and unique was that it was filmed by the producers of The Antiques Roadshow who are making a new prime time series for BBC that will include exclusive behind the scenes footage covering every aspect of the auction process.

Have a look at our very own video that takes a look around the stunning home:

Highlights of the 200 lot auction included: a painting by Charles Oppenheimer, of his house in Kirkcudbright, that sold for £19,000; an eighteenth century marble console table was purchased for £9,300 – almost ten times the original estimate; and a painting of The Deposition by Renaissance artist Vincenzo Corsi which was snapped up for £3400.

With half of the proceeds going to The Haining Charitable Trust, the success of the auction will be sure to help fulfil the wish to open a history room in the Haining and also future use of it as a creative arts hub and a catering kitchen. Commenting on the one off event, Brian Clements of McTear’s said: “There was an incredible turnout at the auction with fierce bidding for just about every lot. The Haining Charitable Trust, who are to receive half the proceeds from this auction, is doing some fantastic work and I am delighted that the sale has raised a significant sum to help in the creation of an important cultural centre in the Borders.” 

For a full overview of what exclusive items sold in this auction have a look at 'The Haining' results. 

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An Exciting Week to End July...

Next week at McTear's we have a lot in store to finish July on a high. On Thursday the 26th of July we have a very busy and exciting day planned.

The auctioneers will be extremely busy with three auctions taking part throughout the day.

Starting off at 12.00pm, we have our Victorian, Edwardian and Scottish Jewellery auction that will feature roughly 200 items of period jewellery. Various items of unique and beautiful jewellery will be sold with a piece to hopefully suit everyone such as the ones shown below.

This fine Edwardian pearl and diamond set pendant is estimated to sell for £1000-£2000.

This Edwardian diamond set solitaire ring is estimated to sell for £4000-£5000.

This White Metal Diamond Set Brooch set with early rose cut diamonds is estimated to sell for £100-£20.

For all the Fashionistas out there we have our Decorative Arts, Design and Fashion auction at 2.00pm. This unique auction will give you the chance to view and purchase various lots of decorative arts items, as well as a large collection of vintage clothing and designer hand bags and accessories.

This 1970s wool H.Busse cream dress suit with snake skin belt and detailing is estimated to sell for £150-£250.

This Sarh Honeyman pot with cactus porcelain pot, signed and dated, is estimated to sell for £200-£400.

This Art Nouveau silver embossed purse is estimated to sell for £60-£90.

To finish the day, we have a special event: The Wine Auction. This will feature fine wines, vintage port and sherry, cognac, armagnac and Champagne, just in time for the weekend.

Remy Martin 1936 miniature very old Cognac, estimated to sell for £1000-£2000.

Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1986 Saint Julien 2eme Cru Classé, estimated to sell for £200-£240.

Moet & Chandon Salmanazar 900cl bottle, estimated to sell for £500-£600.

If you would like more information on the upcoming auctions visit our website.

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The Haining

McTear’s is thrilled to be managing the auction of the contents of the amazing Borders country house under order of the Executers of the late Andrew James Nimmo-Smith. With half of the proceeds going to The Haining Charitable Trust, this will help to fulfil the wish to open a history room in the Haining and also future use of it as a creative arts hub and a catering kitchen.

Susan Edington of The Haining Charitable Trust comments:

“The contents of the Haining were all purchased by our benefactor Andrew Nimmo-Smith. Although there are some very fine examples of artwork and antiques in the property, such as a number of watercolour paintings by Selikirk’s own ‘son’ Tom Scott, nothing in the auction was originally part of the property. All family portraits, from both Mr Nimmo-Smith’s father’s family and his mother’s family the Pringle-Pattisons are being retained at The Haining, along with items from the pageant and hunt etc and family war diaries that we hope to publish but of course keep the originals at the house. The heritage of the families will remain in the house and form the focus of the History Room. We wish for the Haining to form part of the local community, to provide fun, education and employment and not only be a regular part of the community’s lives, but also to be a come-to venue for people from further afield who will hopefully visit and use the premises thus allowing it to be retained for the purpose Mr Nimmo-Smith envisaged, that is for the Haining to be used to provide culture and recreation to the people of Selkirkshire and the wider public. It cannot be stated strongly enough that for The Haining to succeed we will require funding on an international level and we have raised in excess of £700,000 since the inception of the Trust towards these ends including an international grant of £354,000. We are on the shortlist to house the Tait Modern Artist’s rooms in 2015 and we are already working with a local group to have the Haining as the hub for an Arts Festival in September next year. We are used for arts projects at the moment and have already worked with Chance for Change, Knowepark Primary School, The Royal Scottish Academy, Borders Youth Theatre, and CABN bringing arts to The Haining.”

This auction is made even more exciting as it will be filmed by the producers of The Antiques Roadshow who are making a new prime time series for BBC, with John Foster, BBC Antiques Expert, commenting on the Haining as 'a fascinating Scottish Country House with important connections to Scottish Border history'.

From beautiful paintings to unique pieces of furniture there will be something for everyone in this special auction. If you are interested in being part of this auction, viewing will commence with a drinks reception on Saturday 14th July from 3pm till 6pm with the auction taking place on Thursday the 19th of July.

The online catalogue is also available to view on our website to allow you to see what will be going on sale.

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