More than 60 people flocked to Maryport’s Shipping Brow Gallery on Saturday 10th February for a free Pop-Up Valuation Event organised by Mitchells Auction Company.
People were invited to turn up with their items for a free, no obligation valuation by Mitchell’s head of antiques and fine art James Moore and valuer Claire Machin who were kept very busy throughout the day.
Even before the doors opened at 11am there was a busy stream of people arriving from across the county carrying all sorts of items to be valued, from antique dolls and toys to jewellery, art works, collector’s items and metalware.
The largest items to come through the door were paintings by local artists including a pastoral scene by William Mitchell of Maryport (1823-1900), best known for his maritime paintings which have sold for as much as £8,000 at Mitchells auction.
Several artworks by Percy Kelly (1918-1993) were also brought in to be valued including two large charcoal drawings of machinery in Sekers Silk Mills in Whitehaven.
Neil Mossop, the owner of the drawings, explained that Kelly had originally been commissioned to produce thirteen artworks by the mill founder Sir Nicholas Sekers who hosted the first public exhibition of Kelly’s work at Rosehill Theatre in Moresby.
When the mill building was demolished in 1989, one of the demolition workers spotted the drawings in a skip and rescued two of them, sadly missing three others hidden in the rubbish, now believed lost.
Some years later, Neil was in London and by coincidence bumped into the same man who recognised his West Cumbrian accent. He wasn’t keen on the Kelly drawings himself so Neil, a passionate collector, struck a deal with him and brought them back home to Cumbria.
James Moore said: “We already offer free drop-in valuations at our Cockermouth saleroom during office hours but we wanted to make it easier for people further afield to access this service too by doing Pop-Up Valuations.
“We’re delighted with the number of people who came and the quality of items they brought with them. It’s been really worthwhile. And whether it’s a painting by a local artist, jewellery or something else, we’re keen to encourage more people to consider selling by auction through Mitchells’ because we reach buyers all over the world thanks to our online bidding.”
Claire Machin said: “It was great to talk to so many local people and hear the stories behind the items that came in. A Border Regiment embroidered picture was another piece of local history rescued from a skip. I also heard the history of a very well-loved childhood teddy bear who was priceless to his owner but had come out for a trip to see us at the gallery anyway!”
Mitchells next Pop-Up Valuation takes place at the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald office on Middlegate in Penrith town centre on Monday 4th March between 10am and 2pm. Once again, people are invited to simply drop by with their items – or a photo if too big to carry – for a free, no obligation valuation in return for a donation to the Herald’s chosen charity Eden Animal Rescue.
