Adam Partridge Auctioneers & Valuers

About Adam Partridge

Adam Partridge Auctioneers & Valuers is an independent auction house with its main saleroom on Withyfold Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire. It also runs salerooms in Liverpool, Ruislip in west London, and Hele in Devon, plus valuation offices in Altrincham, Preston and Torquay. The firm says it has grown rapidly to become one of the largest independent auction houses in the UK.

Its founder, Adam Partridge, is one of the UK's best-known antiques and fine art personalities, known from television programmes such as Flog It! and Bargain Hunt.

History

Adam Partridge opened the business in 2008. Since then it has expanded from its Cheshire base to four salerooms in the North West, London and the South West. The firm reports that around 60% of lots now sell to online bidders, through its own platform and the-saleroom. The valuation offices in Altrincham, Preston and Torquay give sellers in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and south Devon a local point of contact.

What Adam Partridge sells

The firm covers a wide range of specialist departments, including:

• Paintings
• Furniture and clocks
• Ceramics and glass
• Studio ceramics and modern design
• Silver, jewellery and watches
• Asian art, bronzes and sculpture
• Maritime, sporting and militaria
• Musical instruments, and rock and pop memorabilia
• Toys and games, stamps, ephemera and coins
• Cars and automobilia, and wines and spirits

The sale calendar differs by saleroom. Cheshire holds nine three-day Fine Art and Antique auctions a year plus three specialist Studio Ceramics auctions. Liverpool and London hold monthly auctions, and Devon holds nine auctions a year.

Selling at Adam Partridge

Under the firm's terms and conditions, seller's commission is 20% including VAT. There is a minimum charge of £5 plus VAT per lot sold, or £8 plus VAT at the Ruislip and Devon salerooms. Consignments can be made through any saleroom or valuation office. The firm also handles property, listed among its departments, alongside its antiques and fine art work.

Buying and bidding

Buyers pay the hammer price plus a buyer's premium of 25% plus VAT. The terms note that this VAT is not normally recoverable. Online bidding carries a surcharge that depends on the platform:

• Adam Partridge website: 2% plus VAT of the hammer price
• the-saleroom: 4.95% plus VAT
• Invaluable: 5%, with a minimum of $10 per transaction

Commission bids left through the firm's website carry no extra fee. Invoices are emailed after each auction, and payment is accepted by bank transfer or debit card, or by credit card for amounts under £200; American Express is not accepted. Purchases must be paid for and collected by 5.30pm on the Friday of the week after the auction. Postage is limited: Devon does not offer it, London handles small items only, and clocks, ceramics, firearms and bladed weapons are not shipped.

Location and viewing

The salerooms are at Withyfold Drive in Macclesfield, Jordan Street in Liverpool, Ickenham Road in Ruislip, and The Antique Village at Hele in Devon. Viewing is held on the day before each auction. Full online catalogues with descriptions and guide prices are published on the firm's website and on the-saleroom and Invaluable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Adam Partridge Auctioneers open?

Adam Partridge opened the business in 2008 in Macclesfield. It has since added salerooms in Liverpool, Ruislip and Devon.

What is the buyer's premium at Adam Partridge?

The buyer's premium is 25% plus VAT on the hammer price. Online bidding adds 2% plus VAT on the firm's own site or 4.95% plus VAT on the-saleroom.

How often does the Macclesfield saleroom hold auctions?

The Cheshire saleroom holds nine three-day Fine Art and Antique auctions a year, plus three specialist Studio Ceramics auctions.