MALLAMS OXFORD MAY 17 STUDIO AUCTION

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mallams-ltd-oxford/catalogue-id-srmalla10074

Part of a two day 'Design & Modern Art Sale'. The Studio pottery being in the first 180 Lots. Pretty much standard stuff dominated by the Leach/Cardew school.

LOT 11

David Leach (1911-2005)
Vase
brushwork motif
impressed potter's seal
42.5cm high.

Auctioneer's estimate
150 GBP - 250 GBP

Really? mine for 300 notes?....bit low

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mallams-ltd-oxford/catalogue-id-srmalla10074/lot-4907d2da-7ac4-4266-8c42-a8d000c3fa3d

Hmm estimates all over the place, And they mis-spelt Frith.

What you don't know of course, is Condition. From experience of previous years, condition of pieces can be quite variable in a Mallams sale. I was interested in a number of Janet Leach pieces a few years ago, and every single one had damage.

This is madness, why don't thy publish really good descriptions of the items right from the start including condition reports and list damaged items as A/F in the titles. My old thread comparing Ebay and Auctions is still valid.... auctions get away with murder, one photo, dodgy description and simply try to con people.

Yes, Aldermaston listed, but no pix of the monograms. It's not that hard is it?

It is of course, a dichotomy.
Most Terrestrial Auctioneers operate under the traditional auctioneering rules. Which put simply is the onus is completely on you. They provide a place and length of time for you to view and inspect the item. After that the responsibilty is entirely yours.That being the law. Okay, they might provide an opinion if asked of condition,  but even that it hedged around with so much small print that it protects them every which way and when.
             So the old rules were okay when everything was sold to trade and wholesale. That is historically how it was, and how the law still is. But of course, the world has changed. In the era of virtually every auction being live online, there a very large number of of buyers are private individuals. Who are actually playing with fire!
            The more savvy auctioneers have upped their game, they give precise descriptions and condition reports, and get higher results. Maak and Adam  Partridges come to mind.