Smiths Newent Auctions held their last sale of the year on December 9th, ending a very successful year, which has seen a number of record prices and a huge growth in online bidding.

One of the most interesting lots was a letter from Napoleon written to his Commodore on the ship, The Agamemnon. There was some interest from online bidders, but a commission bid, which was left with the auctioneers almost as soon as the catalogue went on-line, won the day at £1,100.

Another slightly more unusual, and rather disturbing, item was a Victorian stuffed dog which was reluctantly sold by an lady who had acquired it from her uncle after she had admired it on a visit to his house as a young girl.

Now living in a very small retirement flat she felt she needed the space, but was deeply attached to it as it had been her life long companion. The fluffy white dog was rather appealing in a strange way and, once a faded label had been deciphered, it turned out to be by one of the most sort after taxidermists in the country – Rowland Ward. There was significant pre-sale interest and two telephone lines battled it out before a bidder in the room joined the fray and won with a bid of £1,700.

In the jewellery section private buyers were on the look out for Christmas presents, and rather left the dealers out in the cold as they picked out a large marquise cut solitaire diamond ring which made £1,450, and a fabulous diamond necklace which made £2,000.

Smiths next sale is on January 27th and offers a full range of antiques and collectables, as well as a special section of coins and notes. Final entries for the sale are invited on January 3rd, 5th and 10th, 10am-3pm or by appointment. Visit www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk or telephone 01531 821776 for further details.