The Gavel and The Gabble

Kirsten of YouTube channel Kirsten's Curiosities joins Harry and Simon to share her journey from running a newsagent to becoming a successful reseller of vintage items. She discusses the evolution of her business, the importance of community, and the thrill of finding unique items at auctions and car boot sales. You can really tell how this endeavour provided Kirsten with purpose and fulfilment, e...

Harry and Simon discuss the chilly conditions you face in auction houses, share amusing anecdotes about eccentric customers, and delve into the current trends in auction items. They reflect on the importance of customer service in the auction world, particularly in light of a recent incident involving a bicycle bidder. The conversation also touches on the future of silver collecting and concludes...

David Brindley, Managing Director of CAGP and CEO of Bidpath joins Harry and Simon this week. David shares his extensive experience in the industrial and commercial auction industry, discussing the diverse nature of auctions outside of antiques and fine art. He highlights the importance of sensitivity in distress sales, the impact of economic conditions on auction activity, and the role of technol...

Happy New Year from The Gavel & The Gabble! Harry and Simon return to reflect on the successes of 2024, including the sale of Starbug One, and discuss their predictions for the auction market in 2025. They explore the challenges of understanding market demands, particularly with younger buyers who are increasingly interested in second-hand goods. CONTACT thegavelandthegabble@gmail.com Instagra...

Sasha Wilkins shares her remarkable journey from a fashion career to becoming a successful antiques dealer. She discusses her early experiences in the fashion industry, the transition to digital entrepreneurship during the pandemic, and the unique business model she developed through Instagram. The three discuss storytelling in the antiques market and the need to encourage younger generations to e...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all you lovely listeners from everyone at The Gavel & The Gabble, Windsor Auctions, and Lyme Bay Auctions. We hope you don't mind us taking a break but we'll be back before the New Year with another amazing guest. CONTACT thegavelandthegabble@gmail.com Instagram @thegavelandthegabble Twitter @GavelandGabble   TikTok @laughingauctioneer www.windsorau...

Celebrity antiques TV personality Roo Irvine joins Harry and Simon as a festive treat for you lucky listeners. Roo shares her unexpected journey from the corporate world to becoming an expert in antiques and a television personality. She reflects on the life-changing events that led her to this new path, the challenges of balancing business with personal life, and her deep love for cats. Roo also...

Matt Ball, the publishing director of the Antiques Trade Gazette, reflects on the auction industry's performance over the past year. He discusses the optimism within the market, highlights significant auction successes, and explores the growing trend of timed online auctions. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced by art fairs and dealers, including theft and market confidence, whi...

Harry and Simon discuss Harry's birthday celebrations, feedback on diamonds, and they share insights from a visit to Green Room College, where students learn about buying and selling. The conversation also delves into the impact of the housing market on auction houses, quirky customer requests, and where Pablo the dog is off to every day. CONTACT thegavelandthegabble@gmail.com Instagram @thegavela...

Harry and Simon discuss the unexpected weather in Devon, leading to chaos in their work. They share highlights from recent auctions, particularly focusing on the success of Louis Wayne paintings. The conversation shifts to upcoming auctions and the unique items they are expecting. They delve into the vinyl record market and its growing popularity, followed by amusing stories from recent clearances...

Harry and Simon delve into a fascinating story about the discovery of rare artworks by Louis Wain, exploring the provenance and significance of these pieces. At Windsor Auctions, they have coming up for sale a model of Starbug 1 from the iconic series Red Dwarf. The pair also explore various themes including a humorous anecdote about a bear that serves as a landmark, the excitement of discovering...

Something a little different from the norm today. Graham Roberts, a retired ecologist, discusses the critical state of England's rivers and the various factors contributing to their decline. He highlights the pollution from agricultural runoff and sewage discharge, the challenges posed by privatization and inadequate regulation, and the urgent need for community engagement and activism to address...

In this celebratory 100th episode, Harry and Simon welcome auctioneer and TV personality Catherine Southon. Catherine shares her journey to becoming a successful auctioneer and business owner. The conversation explores her experiences in the auction industry, her transition to television, and the challenges of running her own auction house. Catherine's insights highlight the importance of passion,...

To give us time to prepare an amazing interview for our 100th episode, producer Dave has put together a best of from the early episodes. If you're a new listener this is the best way to catch up on what you've missed. If you're a long time listener, it's a chance to go back to some classic anecdotes. CONTACT thegavelandthegabble@gmail.com Instagram @thegavelandthegabble Twitter @GavelandGabble &nb...

Harry and Simon delve into the current state of the auction market, sharing insights from valuation days and the impact of second homes on local communities. The conversation shifts to innovations in auction processes, particularly the concept of lean processing and continuous online auctions, and concludes with a discussion on the potential integration of AI in auction descriptions. CONTACT thega...

Harry and Simon discuss their recent charity auction for Momentum Children's Charity, where they successfully raised funds through the sale of celebrity-painted pebbles. They delve into the challenges faced in house clearances, particularly when items lack value for auction. The duo highlight the importance of community initiatives, such as local pubs, and the creative upcycling efforts of individ...

Simon is back this week! Although it turns out he never plugged his microphone in, so apologies for the sound quality. Producer Dave has already given him a stern talking to. Today Harry and Simon share stories about customer service challenges, the value of silver items, and the impact of online reviews. Windsor Auctions is thrilled to be  hosting a special auction  of celebrity-decorat...

Today is another best of where we'll hear clips from three fantastic guests. We hear from Jaimie Fennell, vinyl expert from Rooster Records, TV personality, Jo Roberts and Matt Ball from the Antiques Trade Gazette. Find all of their links below. Back soon with a new episode. Jaimie Fennell - www.roosterrecords.co.uk - Rooster Records, 98 Fore Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3HY Jo Roberts - Instagram:...

In this episode, Harry and Simon discuss their experiences in the auction world, touching on the importance of charity auctions, the challenges faced during tech issues, and a heart-warming story of teamwork in helping an elderly lady during a stressful move. They also share insights about a unique whiskey collection and the upcoming charity auction for Momentum Children's Charity, emphasizing the...

The most listener requested guest, television royalty, Harry's man crush, the amazing Philip Serrell is on the pod! Philip joins Harry and Simon to discuss his career and the state of the auction industry. He shares his passion for the job and the thrill of finding unique items. Philip reflects on his journey from being a PE teacher to becoming a well-known auctioneer on TV. He also talks about th...

Dee and Ken, hosts of the Antiques Freaks podcast, join Harry and Simon to discuss their love for antiques and the auction market in the US. As always when Americans and Brits get together, tensions are high, although that's mostly due to Dee and Ken wishing they had the history on their doorstep that Harry and Simon do. There's also chat about the silver market, preserving antique items, Ken and...

David, John, and Adam from Graham Budd Auctioneers, the leading European auction house for sporting memorabilia, join Harry and Simon to discuss the world of sporting collectibles. They highlight the nostalgia and passion that drives the market, with football being the most popular sport due to its global appeal. They also discuss the emergence of niche markets within football, such as vintage shi...

Harry and Simon discuss the process of cataloguing and preparing for an auction. They also talk about the market for movie memorabilia and the potential comeback of elegant dress watches. Simon shares a rant about customers who change their minds about what items to sell after the auction house has already made arrangements for collection. CONTACT thegavelandthegabble@gmail.com Instagram @thegavel...

Harry and Simon chat about the challenges of staffing during the summer holidays and the importance of providing provenance to buyers, as it appears not all auction houses do so. The pair also discuss the potential of internet-free auctions and if such a think is a viable business strategy in 2024. Could this be the solution to all those unsellable bulky items found in house clearances? CONTACT th...

Harry and Simon discuss their recent experiences at valuation days and house clearances. They share interesting stories about the items they encountered, including a World War II French resistance spy's belongings and ceramics by Damien Hirst. They also express their concerns about auction houses that offer to buy items directly from sellers, questioning the transparency and integrity of such prac...