Free valuations at Newark event

An auctioneer is offering free valuations at a monthly event.

People can bring along their items at the Hansons Auctioneers valuation, which takes place at the National Civil War Centre, Appletongate, from 10am to 1pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

Antiques expert Nick Mellors will be on hand to assess jewellery, watches, gold, silver, ceramics and collectables.

Three Chinese bowls, bought in a Nottinghamshire junk shop were recently taken into a free valuation event and later sold for £62,000 at auction.

Mr Charles Hanson, owner of the Derbyshire auction house, said: “I know the people of Newark will be unwittingly sitting on valuable antiques, jewellery, watches or collectibles.

“Every week, people bring in items for valuation which have been languishing at the bottom of a drawer or cupboard but turn out to be exceptionally valuable.”

Last year, a Boer War photo album unearthed from under a Newark bed sold for £310 at Hansons.

The album of more than 100 Boer War images was taken along to a free valuation day in Retford, Nottinghamshire, by Michelle Pepper, 46, a church conservator from Newark.

The National Civil War Centre will also host free antique valuations on February 6, March 6, April 10, May 8, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 11, October 9, November 6 and December 4, from 10am-1pm.

Items can be consigned to auction on the day to sell at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, near Derby. To find out more, email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.