Another favourite here at Boldon Auction Galleries - Lot 114 is an Art Deco clock with square black glass dial on a chrome stand, stamped Made In England. For Auction 10th February.
To include Triang, Triang Minic, Air Fix, Revell, Star Wars, Diecast, Corgi, Britains and more.
Look at the quality and those labels !!! Sections for Bread, Milk, Eggs, Fats and Butter and Meat - what more could any Housewife or Househusband wish for!
If you are yearning for simpler times and this fits your design bill we will be selling this iconic piece of furniture on Wednesday 10th February.
More details next week.
Biography of Thomas William Pierrepoint
Thomas William Pierrepoint (1870-1954) came from a family of English
executioners whose career spanned 40 years during time which he carried out 294
hangings. 203 of the hangings were
civilians in England and Wales whilst the remainder were carried out abroad or
on military personnel.
He was the nephew of Albert Pierrepoint Britain's most famous hangman (who
assisted Thomas in six of the executions) and interestingly executed
approximately 600 people in a 25-year career. We sold at Boldon Auction
Galleries a Collection of items belonging to Albert Pierrepoint for £20,000 on
5th June 2019.
Thomas Pierrepoint was a Yorkshireman influenced by his father and
uncle, when asked at school to write about what job he would like when older,
Pierrepoint said that "When I leave school I should like to be public
executioner like my dad is, because it needs a steady man with good hands like
my dad and my Uncle Tom and I shall be the same".
In 1940 his fitness for the job was questioned by a medical Officer, the Prison Commission asked for reports on his performance during executions but found no reason to take action even though on two occasions when reporting to prison Thomas Pierrepoint had “smelled strongly of drink”. He never officially retired from service rather his name was removed from the Home Office list of executioners and invitations to conduct executions stopped.
The Home Secretary at the Home Office over saw all executions carried out from 1837 to abolition in 1969, increasing in control after the passing of The Prison Act in 1877.
Prison Commissioners were responsible for maintaining a list of approved executioners from which the High Sheriff and Under Sheriff of the county was able to choose. The executioner’s assistants were appointed by the Governor of the Prison.
The Sheriff had to be present at the execution, pay the hangman and then claim back the money through “Sheriff’s cravings” from the Home Office. After the execution, the Sheriff would notify the Home Office in writing.
The Governor of the prison was responsible for ensuring that the execution was carried out in a timely and humane manner. He would then send a report to the Home Office as to the conduct of the executioners and assistant.
From 1892 proper training was given to all potential hangmen at Newgate Prison then Pentonville where Thomas Pierrepoint was trained. This lasted a week in which the trainees were taught the correct procedures for working out the drop and conducting a hanging. Officials assessed the applicant’s personality and motives for wanting to do the job. Once qualified they were added to the official Home Office list and would work as an assistant until sufficient experience had been acquired.
In 1902 the Home Office issued its last update of rules for carrying out hangings: “For the sake of uniformity it is recommended that the Execution should take place in the week following the third Sunday after the day on which the sentence was passed, on any weekday but Monday, and at 8am.” “The person or persons engaged to carry out the execution should be required to report themselves at the Prison no later than 4pm on the afternoon preceding the completed execution. Approved by the Secretary of State.”
The High Sheriff then wrote to the Governor of the prison setting the time and date for the execution and to the hangman securing his services from the Home Office list provided. A notice was posted on the prison gate the day before the execution and duly afterwards confirming the execution had taken place. Finally, the Governor sent a LPC4 form to the Home Office signing everything off.
Details from the Auction at Boldon Auction Galleries on the 5th June
2019
A collection of items belonging to Albert Pierrepoint (30 March 1905 – 10 July
1992) Britain’s most famous hangman who executed approximately 600 people in a
25-year career that ended in 1956. The collection includes his notebook
which lists the executions carried out with details to determine how to achieve
the quickest death and his father Henry’s notebook, the plaster cast of Albert
Pierrepoint’s face and hands, photographs and documents, watch chain and cigar
holder.
Henry Pierrepoint’s execution book (1 November 1901 – 14 July 1910),
includes personal details of those hanged including the prisoner’s name, age,
height, weight and drop, site of execution and remarks detailing the physical
frame of the prisoners and calibre of their necks; “very heavy body, ordinary
neck, wirey, very thin neck, little flabby”. 18cm x 11cm
Albert Pierrepoint’s leather-bound execution ledger, embossed with his
name “A. Pierrepoint”, (29 December 1932 - 27 July 1955) includes personal
details of those hanged with additional notes such as “the German, Dutch and
Belgium spies, French Canadian, USA, IRA, British Soldier” etc. 15cm x
24cm
An amber and ivory cigar holder, with leather silver velvet lined case,
8cm long, belonged to Henry A. Pierrepoint. (Albert’s father and British
hangman).
A silver watch chain worn by Albert Pierrepoint, Henry Pierrepoint (his
father) and Thomas Pierrepoint (his Uncle) at hundreds of executions between
1900 and 1956. 42cm long
Sold £20,000 5th June 2019
When I moved from one house to another
there were many things I had no room for.
What does one do? I rented a storage
space. And filled it. Years passed.
Occasionally I went there and looked in,
but nothing happened, not a single
twinge of the heart.
As I grew older the things I cared
about grew fewer, but were more
important. So one day I undid the lock
and called the trash man. He took
everything.
I felt like the little donkey when
his burden is finally lifted. Things!
Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful
fire! More room in your heart for love,
for the trees! For the birds who own
nothing– the reason they can fly.
STORAGE by MARY OLIVER
The Auction held on the 13th January 2021 at Boldon Auction Galleries showcased over 40 years of Collecting by Mr Alan Harbottle a local toy collector. (Part Two will be Auctioned on 10th February)
After several days removing the Collection from Mr Harbottle's home we then spent the Christmas Holidays setting up the saleroom; lotting, cataloguing and photographing the Toys. It was no mean feat! Boxes and boxes of toys - some mixed together - to be looked through and ordered ready for Auction.
Sadly with the next announcement of the third National Lockdown we were unable to open our doors to collectors, dealers and enthusiasts in person. However with the aid of lots and lots of photographs and condition reports all questions were answered and the Online Live Auction was a tremendous success.
Here are a few highlights along with some of our favourites:
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| A clockwork tin plate model of a Rolls Royce, complete with chauffer, 'Made in England', 36 cm long. |
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| A Dinky 409 Bedford articulated lorry, a 591 Shell Chemical Limited AEC tanker and a 905 Foden flat truck. Sold £140 |
