Thomson Roddick Callan

About Thomson Roddick Callan

Thomson Roddick Callan is an auction house and valuer with four salerooms across southern Scotland and Cumbria. It holds regular auctions at Dumfries, Edinburgh (at Rosewell, Midlothian), Carlisle and Ayr. The business has traded under the Thomson Roddick name for decades and took its current name in 2022.

With salerooms on both sides of the border, the firm serves sellers across Dumfries and Galloway, the Lothians, Ayrshire and Cumbria. Its sales combine specialist categories with general antiques and collectables.

History

The firm's history began in 1880, when John Thomson acquired the mainly livestock auction business of James McLean in Annan. Key dates since then include:

• 1886: Thomson & Laurie was founded when James Laurie joined as a partner
• 1892: a cattle mart was bought in Dumfries
• 1932: the first specialist fine art auction, the contents of Springkell House, Eaglesfield, over four days
• 1950: Henry Roddick joined and the firm became Thomson Roddick & Laurie
• 1995: an Edinburgh auction house opened at Eskbank, Midlothian
• 2006: the present Dumfries Auction Centre opened
• 2017: the Scottish and Cumbrian divisions were reunited under the Thomson Roddick name
• 2022: the firm amalgamated with TR Callan of Ayr to form Thomson Roddick Callan Ltd

What Thomson Roddick Callan sells

The firm lists sixteen specialist categories. They cover jewellery, silver, paintings, furniture, coins and banknotes, oriental art, medals and militaria, and books. Other categories include clocks and watches, pottery and ceramics, toys, whisky, wine and spirits, postcards and stamps, music, vinyl and instruments, and 20th-century design.

Auctions run regularly across the four salerooms, and each sale is catalogued online. The mix of categories means sales combine higher-value specialist lots, such as jewellery, silver and coins, with more affordable collectables such as postcards, stamps and vinyl records. This makes the firm a practical choice for both established collectors and people clearing a family home.

Buying and bidding

All lots carry a buyer's premium of 20% plus VAT on the hammer price. The terms of business state that VAT on the premium is charged at the current rate and cannot be reclaimed. Lots bought online carry an additional charge that depends on the platform used:

• Thomson Roddick's own website: 3% of the hammer price plus VAT
• EasyLiveAuction: 3% of the hammer price plus VAT, or a flat £3 fee at registration
• the-saleroom: 4.95% of the hammer price plus VAT

Buyers in the saleroom can pay by cash (up to £9,000 per transaction) or debit or credit card. Remote buyers pay by bank transfer, and international transfers carry an extra £15. Every transfer must quote the sale location code as its reference. The firm does not offer in-house packing, apart from books under 15kg at the Carlisle office, and recommends external couriers and specialist shippers.

Location and viewing

The four salerooms are at Irongray Road Industrial Estate in Dumfries, Carnethie Street in Rosewell near Edinburgh, Marconi Road in Carlisle, and Smith Street in Ayr. Each saleroom can be contacted directly about sales, viewing times and valuations. Buyers should check the catalogue for the saleroom where a particular lot is being sold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Thomson Roddick Callan?

The business began in 1880, when John Thomson bought a livestock auction business in Annan. It held its first specialist fine art auction in 1932 and became Thomson Roddick Callan Ltd in 2022.

What is the buyer's premium at Thomson Roddick Callan?

All lots carry a buyer's premium of 20% plus VAT on the hammer price. Online purchases add a platform charge of between 3% and 4.95% plus VAT.

Where are Thomson Roddick Callan's salerooms?

The firm has four salerooms, in Dumfries, Rosewell near Edinburgh, Carlisle and Ayr.