Smiths Auctioneers enjoyed another exciting couple of days on the rostrum last week as they hammered their way through over fourteen hundred lots on March 26-27.

Top price of the sale was the £5,100 for three world stamp albums with an exceptional selection of antique stamps including a very sought after collection of early Chinese stamps. Following that surprise result, many of the higher prices were won by gold items such as several gold fob chains which were snapped up by an American buyer including one for £3,000 and another for £1,750. Pocket watches were also making good money with one example making £1,900 and another with some damage still selling for £1,050.

The silver section also performed exceptionally well as a number of collectable pieces made outstanding prices. A set of George Jensen silver cutlery made £2,300 despite some condition issues and a set of four champagne glasses by the contemporary designer Stuart Devlin made £1,250.

A pair of Victorian novelty dog pin cushions pulling mother of pearl shell carts sold six times overestimate to make £940 whilst a group of six Egyptian revival salts in fitted box made £450. Other small collectable pieces included a very endearing owl form bookmark which made £160 against a £60/£80 estimate and a silver vesta case with enamelled erotic nude decoration selling for £310.

In the jewellery section a beautiful antique marquise form ring sold for £1,200 whilst an unusual French pale green enamel sautoir watch chain set with seed pearls and diamonds made £800 against a £300/£500 estimate. It had been found languishing at the bottom of a costume jewellery box and the vendor had been very surprised it had any value whatsoever.

Gold charm bracelets were also making exceptional prices with one making £3,200 and another £2,600. Antique jewellery was also popular with a beautiful early Victorian gold bracelet set large aquamarine selling for over twice its estimate at £1,250 - despite some tricky condition issues.

Some of the most interesting prices were found on the second day of selling when an Egyptian bronze figure of the goddess Isis made £1,550 against a £200/£300 estimate and two Victorian photograph albums of famous actors, writers, jockeys and politicians made £1,050.

A pair of fabulous Edwardian green silk boots made by Rayne sold for £180, whilst a fine vintage silk Moss Bross top hat in a generous size made £290. An 18th century pocket sundial/compass sold for £190 whilst a novelty Black Forest clock in the form of a church with a monk ringing the church bell sold for £200 - despite it needing some attention to the mechanism. A collection of vintage Scout memorabilia, uniform and badges divided into several lots sold for £900 in total whilst an 1847 map of the Forest of Dean by Atkinson sold for £310. Small collectables all sold consistently beyond expectations with a Victorian brass dog collar making £110 and a Waterman’s Bakelite fountain pen reaching £210.

Overall it proved to be an eventful couple of days with excellent results across almost all sections of the sale. Entries for the May Auction are now invited by appointment. This sale includes the usual wide selection of antiques including ceramics, jewellery, silver, gold, furniture, pictures and collectables. It also features a special selection for Medals and Militaria. Please telephone 01531 821776 for an appointment of visit www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk for further information.