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TUNING UP FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND MILITARIA VALUATIONS
NOVEMBER, 23 2011
Leading Shropshire fine art auction house Halls is tuning up for two valuation days next week, which will focus on musical instruments and militaria on separate days.
A musical instruments valuation surgery will be run by Stewart Orr on Monday, November 28 followed on Tuesday by the antique firearms and militaria valuation event with specialist George Geear. Both valuation events will be held from 10am to 3pm at Halls’ Welsh Bridge head office.
Mr Orr is particularly keen to see Gibson, Fender, Hofner, Burns of London, Wem and Rapier electric guitars in addition to acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins and other stringed and woodwind instruments.
He revealed that Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster electric guitars, which date to the 1950s, can now be worth in excess of £20,000.
Acoustic guitars he would especially like to view are by Gibson, Martin, Hofner, Levin and Ovation.
“As with vintage cars, most guitars need to be stored carefully, as they need to be kept dry and at an ambient temperature,” he said. “An attic is definitely the worst place for them as modern insulation in attics can make the temperature very cold in winter and very warm in summer. It is this change in temperature that causes wood to shrink and expand causing movement that can ruin a good instrument.”
Mr Geear is keen to see antique firearms such as flintlocks, muskets, percussion caps, centre and rim fire weapons and duelling pistols, swords, medals, helmets, military art, books, uniforms and other types of militaria.
Halls are now gathering items for the company’s next militaria auction on January 11, 2012. Fine art director Jeremy Lamond said there was strong interest in antique firearms, armour and war medals.
“We are particularly keen to hear from people with private collections of militaria that they may wish to be valued by our consultant,” he added.
Anyone wishing to receive an evaluation or to discuss selling their musical instruments or militaria is asked to contact Halls on Tel: 01743 284777.
Picture caption:
A Hofner Committee, semi acoustic jazz guitar, circa 1959, a type two series guitar with flamed maple back and frondaise headstock with original pickups.
