Consignment

At Chaucer Auctions, our AFTAL-registered dealers have been helping clients across the UK to sell their memorabilia for more than 20 years. Selling in larger batches can often mean that rare items included in a lot don’t fetch the best price, so our auctioneers take the time to assess each collection, separating out rare and valuable items, to ensure you get the best possible returns that reflect their real value.

We promote each sale via our extensive email and mail-order list, and take post and email commission bids prior to the sale as well as live bidding online during the sale.

Why sell with Chaucer Auctions?

• We split collections into individual items, ensuring you get maximum returns.
• Fast turnaround, as we have auctions every two weeks.
• Low commission fees and no listing or catalogue fees — no sale, no fees.
• Fast pay-out after the sale by bank transfer, PayPal or cheque.
• Worldwide audience via our online sales.
• Realistic estimates and fixed reserves if required, at no cost.
• Free relisting of unsold lots into a future sale.
• Free authentication of autographed items and free autograph valuations.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of items do you sell?

Here at Chaucer Auctions we have sold hundreds of thousands of collectables. We mainly sell autographs and first day covers, but we have successfully auctioned many other collectables such as aircraft relics, stamps, coins, matchboxes, magazines, rare books, prints, paintings and even moon dust! You may find you have come into a collection you don’t have room for, or a collection that has outgrown your space — Chaucer Auctions will take on collections of all shapes and sizes.

What’s my item worth?

We offer a completely free valuation service, based on current collectable market trends, condition and previous similar examples. All you need to do is send us a decent scan or digital photograph. With over fifteen years in the autograph business, we have gathered knowledge and experience in valuing items.

What will it fetch at auction?

Again, we base our estimation on previous auction results. We are more than happy to give you an idea of the estimate we would place on an item, but we are also happy to be guided by you. If you have a minimum price in mind that you are happy for an item to fetch, let us know; if not, we can give you an estimate. There is absolutely no obligation to sell if you are unhappy with our estimation.

What are your fees?

Our standard charge is 18% plus VAT of the hammer price (i.e. the price your item fetches at auction). This includes us preparing the image(s), describing the item(s) and putting them into our catalogue. There are no individual lot charges. We can auction single items or collections consisting of hundreds of items. We pay you thirty days after the auction.

I’d like to go ahead — what do I do now?

Email us at sales@chaucerauctions.co.uk or telephone us on 0800 170 1314. Let us know what you have to sell, be as descriptive as possible, and if you have an idea of how much you are looking to get for it, let us know. We will let you know when our next auction is and whether your item is suitable. When we have mutually agreed an estimate, we will either need a good-quality scan/photograph of the item, or you can send it to us at Chaucer Auctions, Unit 1, Bowles Well Gardens, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6PQ. Remember to send items well packaged to prevent them being bent by the postie, and by recorded/special delivery with proof of postage. We can make any adjustments to the catalogue listing up to the day of the auction.

My item sold — what happens now?

It takes us a day or two to process an auction. We invoice all the winning bidders, then approach you within a day or two to arrange for you to send the item to us (if you haven’t already) so we can send it to the winning bidder. We then calculate the amount you will receive, less our charges. Payment is settled with you thirty days after the auction, by cheque, PayPal or direct bank transfer — it’s up to you.