The origins of the company date back to the late 1800's. Antique furniture, paintings and books formed the core of the early sales of Hobbs & Chambers, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Estate Agents.
As well as disposing of the contents of some of the larger country houses in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire in the early years of the 20th Century, present day buyers might be amused to know that Hobbs & Chambers, Auctioneers once stood in Faringdon market place selling chickens and eggs! (Not to mention gallons of ex-MOD battleship grey paint at an airfield near Minchinhampton)
Elizabeth Poole and Lindsey Braune are joint directors of The Cotswold Auction Company. Elizabeth trained in Fine Arts Valuation at Southampton Institute and qualified in 1988. Lindsey read modern languages at St Annes College Oxford University before training with Capes Dunn and Co in Manchester and qualifying as a Chartered Art and Antiques Surveyor with the RICS in 1984. Elizabeth and Lindsey ran Hobbs and Chambers auction department from the mid 1980s until 1998. They purchased the business in August 1998 and became independent The Cotswold Auction Company was established.
Now to bring you up-to-date, the Cotswold Auction Company's first major step in the 21st Century has been the exciting acquisition of Short Graham & Co, a Gloucestershire firm also founded in the late 19th Century. We now offer:
- Three salerooms in Gloucester, Cirencester and Cheltenham
- More specialist sales than any other Cotswold auctioneers
- Breadth and depth of experience
- Professionally qualified valuers
Consultant Bob Short, also a fellow of the RICS, has a wealth of experience and has been practising in Gloucester for over 45 years. He is a well known local professional who ran sales in his own practice since the 1970's.
Fraser Glennie, Fine Arts Consultant has conducted auctions in and around Cirencester for over 20 years. He joined the Cotswold Auction Company as a consultant in December 2003 and continues his own property management surveying practice from the centre of Cirencester.
Stephen Sheppard has recently been appointed Saleroom & Internet Business Manager. Stephen assumes responsibility for the Cirencester, Gloucester and Cheltenham Salerooms. Stephen has more than 15 years experience of the Antiques & Fine Art Trade and was the founding Chairman of the Lechlade Antique Dealers Association, with over 40 independent members. Stephen also served as Deputy Mayor of Lechlade on Thames, Gloucestershire.
Catriona Aspray, valuer and auctioneer, now works part time. She gained her Fine Arts Valuation degree with honours at Southampton University. She has worked for two provincial firms before joining the Cotswold Auction Company in June 2003. She now has her RICS qualifications.
Jenny Low has been with the company for four years and is responsible for day to day enquiries in the Cheltenham office, P.R. and the website. She also co-ordinates and catalogues the specialist book sales . She has worked in the book department in Sotheby's, Johannesburg and comes with extensive experience in the art world.
The Office Manager in Cirencester is Trudi Forrest who has been with the company for nearly five years. She has responsibility for the administration before and after sales, and dealing with enquiries and valuations. She has a keen interest and knowledge of twentieth century ceramics
Here are a few of our experienced and helpful saleroom porters. They assist in setting up the sale, keep the lots secure on view day and have their work cut out on sale day showing up to 1000 lots as they are sold and handing them out to purchasers.
