Buying at auction is an exciting way to discover and purchase truly unique items. If you’re new to the process, don’t worry — we’ve put together answers to some common questions to help you get started.
Click on a question below to learn more.
Yes! While we offer detailed lot descriptions and high-resolution photographs, we highly recommend viewing the items in person before bidding.
To see the lots for yourself, check our calendar for upcoming sales and viewing days.
We provide detailed lot descriptions, high-resolution photographs, and condition reports for many items as soon as they are published. However, if you have additional questions, you can request further information directly through our website (this is often referred to as a "Condition Report").
To do this, simply click the 'Request Information' button on the Lot Details page — where you'll find the full description and images of the item.
Please note: We’re unable to provide condition reports on the morning of the sale, so be sure to submit your requests in advance.
We are an online auction house and all of our sales are conducted as ‘Live Online’ events. This means the public does not attend the saleroom in person during auctions.
However, we've made it simple and convenient to take part from wherever you are, with a variety of easy-to-use online bidding options.
1. Absentee bidding
Absentee bidding allows you to place your maximum bid before the auction begins. During the sale, the auctioneer will bid on your behalf, aiming to secure the lot for you at the lowest possible price.
The easiest way to place an absentee bid is through our website — bids can be submitted any time in the weeks leading up to the auction, right up until 60 minutes before the sale begins. After that, bidding switches to ‘Live’ mode (see below).
Absentee bidding is ideal if you can’t be online during the auction — just place your bid and let us take care of the rest.
Alternatively, you can submit absentee bids by email or phone, though please note we cannot accept bids once the sale has started.
If your bid is successful, an invoice will be emailed to you shortly after the auction ends.
2. Live internet bidding
Live internet bidding — or simply live bidding — lets you take part in our auctions in real time, all from the comfort of your own home.
We offer free live bidding directly through our website. Just click the link below to learn how it works and get started.
3. Telephone bidding
Telephone bidding allows you to participate in the auction in real time — we’ll call you during the sale so you can bid live over the phone.
You can submit absentee bids by email or phone, though please note we cannot accept bids once the sale has started.
If your bid is successful, an invoice will be emailed to you shortly after the auction ends.
Other ways to bid
Yes, our auctions are also available on several national and international bidding platforms, giving you additional ways to take part.
However, please note that additional fees may apply when bidding through external platforms.
For the best experience — and to avoid extra charges — we recommend bidding directly through our website.
When you bid at auction you pay the 'hammer price' (the price the lot is sold for) plus a 'buyers premium'. Our Buyers Premium rate is currently 25% + VAT (i.e. 30% inclusive of VAT). An example is as follows:
Auctioneers sell lots on behalf of vendors - so when a lot sells the 'hammer' price goes to the vendor.
Some works of art (particularly paintings) are subject to a charge called 'Artists Resale Right'. This is a charge that goes directly to the artist when their work is sold - see the FAQ below on Artists Resale Right for further information about this charge. If this charge applies to a lot we will clearly state this on our website.
Artist's Resale Right (or 'ARR' for short) gives creators of original works across their lifetime, and for 70 years after their death, the right to a payment when their work is resold in the secondary market with the involvement of an art market professional - such as an art dealer or auction house. The charge applies when the artwork is sold for greater than 1,000 Euros.
The charge is calculated on a sliding scale according to the resale price of the artwork (i.e. the hammer price, excluding buyer's premium). The auctioneer will generally advise the Euro exchange rate at the start of the auction.
This payment scale is cumulative, which means that the royalty is calculated based on the % of the resale price falling into each tier outlined above. Here are some examples - the exchange rate is 1.1 Euro to 1 GBP.
Example 1
Example 2
The charge is capped with the total amount paid for any single sale of a work not exceeding €12,500 (GBP equivalent). The charge is collected by the auctioneer (you will see it listed on your invoice) and passed on to the collecting agency on your behalf.
ARR applies to the sale of artworks in the European Economic Area. You may sometimes hear the ARR referred to as 'droit de suite' - this is just the French name for the term.
You will need to pay for your items online using our secure 'Payment Page', or by bank transfer. Full instructions are given on your invoice. Please note that we no longer accept cash or cheques. You can pay by chip and pin machine at our saleroom if necessary (please indicate you wish to do this when booking a collection appointment).
Collection is by appointment only using our click and collect service, you can also make arrangements to have your items collected by a courier or you can use our in-house shipping service - see below for a list of couriers and for details about our shipping service. Full payment must be received before any items will be released.
Collection
You will need to pay for your items before you can collect, or at the time of collection (using one of the payment methods listed above). Collections (whether by you or by a courier on your behalf) are by appointment - you can book an appointment through our website by clicking the link below.
You may already have your own preferred courier, but if not here are some couriers that can provide this service.
For firearms export outside the UK:
If using a courier, we would advise that you obtain a quote for costs beforehand. You must book an appointment for your courier using our website booking system.
For smaller items such as coins & banknotes, jewellery, watches etc. we provide an in-house shipping service for UK clients. We also offer postage on antique and modern firearms and can transfer licensed firearms and airguns to your local RFD. We use Parcelforce for this service which is fully tracked and insured.
For larger items of furniture or paintings, we work with Bradley’s Antique Packing Services who have specialised in Fine Art & Antiques for over 30 years. For a UK or Worldwide quote please click the link in your invoice. Once your invoice has been paid your item(s) will be collected by Bradley’s from Wilson55.