Paul Laidlaw
@ThePaulLaidlaw
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Auctioneer, BBC antiques expert on Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadtrip and Flog It. Self confessed geek, foodie, and fun dad.
Carlisle, England
Joined February 2014
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My wife just found my first University matriculation card. At 18 I was an astrophysics undergrad, into The Cult, Metallica and The Sisters of Mercy, I was immortal, and looking forward to a career at NASA, and somewhat bizarrely interested in antiques. Life’s a funny old thing.
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One of the rarest documents I will ever handle. Until now no original design blueprint of a Mark I tank was known to exist. Alongside the patent specification, the “birth certificate” of the tank, it will be offered for sale at The Temple Auction Rooms next month.
#tank
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It can still be done folks. I studied Georgian glass for years to get to the point where I can spot the gems at three paces. To the anoraks their rewards!
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I wish you a happy Christmas folks. In the words of Burns, may you be ‘blest with health, and peace and sweet content’.
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I’ve been trying to get my hands on this exceptional Great War helmet for twenty years. My first purchase of 2021. Not a bad start.
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This is now the norm. Auctioneers taking 50% or more of what the buyer pays. It’s greed. Firms which are efficient, lean and competent can survive on significantly less. It’s the lot with hungry directors and shareholders who are quite frankly screwing their clients.
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There’s still treasure out there folks. According to Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
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I’ve had enough of the shocking service provided by the majority of auctioneers. Charged £40 for P&P of this parcel. The contents were books costing £1700. A flimsy box with NO padding and insufficient tape. Actual cost of posting £10. Appalling
@whpeacock1901
@southamsgunsale
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Despite paying fifty times the auctioneer’s pre-sale estimate, I am over the moon (intended) to have finally acquired a cased Georgian astronomical Gregorian reflector. I’ve coveted one since staring at such in the National Museum of Scotland as a wee laddie. All good things…
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Good to see the message about strict social distance has reached the gull community
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Whisky decanter label made from part of the wreckage of Zeppelin L15, brought doyen off Margate, 1916. That’s a keeper.
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Happy Boxing Day folks. May your leftovers and slow descent into oblivion be divine.
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Abandoned by the clan I find myself cooking for one. Oh well, I’ll seek solace in steak Mirabeau and a drop of red. I do hope I can handle the solitude. No kids annoying one another, no-one to object to my choice of entertainment. Stiff upper lip Laidlaw, you can do this.
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Hae a happy Burns Night folks. This wee dram is in a Masonic glass dating to Burns’ time, making the imbibing of the uisge beatha all the sweeter. Slàinte mhath!
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Happy New Year folks. Here’s hoping for brighter horizons
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Sold 720 lots without a break today. Seven hours on the rostrum. Time now to get the paraphernalia out and relax.
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Occasionally the auction gods bestow gifts on those who study and persevere. A George II serjeant’s halberd bearing marks of Dejean’s Regiment. Datable to 1746-52. Dejean’s took the brunt of the Jacobite charge at Culloden. A cliche perhaps, but surely a once in a lifetime find.
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I may be cooking in what is quite frankly a hole in the ground, but of course I’m making a beurre noisette for the steaks. Im not a savage.
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Around Lanty’s Tarn today. A long way from the ills of the world
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Right. Word is, local superstore taking bulk delivery of bog roll tomorrow morning. I’m tooling up for a raid. Who’s in? **** just got real.
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The mark of an unidentified London blade smith of the late 17th Century. Found on a rare silver-mounted plug bayonet. A superb example of the artistry of the die-cutter
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While the bumbees feast amongst the English roses, I’m supping my nectar from a rather handsome antique German vessel. Cheers folks.
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Bruce Dern if he’d survived the ending of Silent Running. (Relatively obscure sci-fi reference.)
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Had no plans to re-watch The Shawshank Redemption tonight but there it was. Cried my eyes out, again. What a beautiful movie. Good for the soul.
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I hope your New Year celebrations go as well as they appear to have gone for this old boy. Slange var!
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Just been told by an auction room that if I knew how many email enquires they’d had I’d understand why they couldn’t respond to my request for further images. More arrogance, laziness and incompetence from within the profession.
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Started watching “One Day” on Netflix. It’s portrayal of Edinburgh Uni at around the time I was an undergrad there was pretty much how I wish I recalled it. Sadly, reality was less the Old College full of confidence and more The Green Banana Club riddled with insecurity. Life eh.
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Bought myself a new rostrum chair at auction today for the same price as a good modern office chair. I won’t preach to the converted by stating the obvious.
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I treated myself to some Stinking Bishop for supper. Being the only lover of this pungent delicacy at home, suffice to say I’ve been more popular
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Cumbria today. Clouds akin to those in the opening of The Simpsons
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Went to Castle Douglas today and popped into a superb butcher for some of their renowned lamb shank pies. As I pulled up I noticed the butcher down the road was advertising a Best Steak Pie in Scotland award. Went in, grabbed some and THEN SPOTTED THEIR BRIDIES! Pie fest tonight.
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Alright, truth be known. When making my vindaloo paste I have of late abandoned the 15 minute workout with the granite pestle and mortar (I’ve a right forearm like Popeye’s) and instead have taken to using an electric blender. SHUT YOUR MOUTH. I WILL NOT BE JUDGED.
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Very occasionally the the boundary between work and play can become blurred. I remember longingly peering at such soldiers in toy shop display cabinets during the 1970s. Still that wee boy at heart.
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I’ve heard of auction houses offering a complete house clearing service, but surely lot 134 is going too far
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Happy Christmas to me. A somewhat exquisite silver-hilted small sword of circa 1770. Its hilt a jewel-like bauble.
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A cracking little English Civil War period musketeer’s priming powder flask. Possibly manufactured at Nuremberg. A munition quality object, yet utterly handsome.
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Towards Crummock Water from Buttermere today. Some vista
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Not exactly sure of where I am right now, but that’s Keswick beyond Little Dodd. Pleasant enough. Downhill now and home to make shepherds’ pie with spicy parsnip mash and enjoy a glass of red. Have a good one folks, work on Tuesday.
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“The most beautiful car in the world”, Enzo Ferrari. Series 1, 3.8 litre. A car of my dreams and today my Road Trip chariot. Happy days
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"That's not a knife… THAT's a knife." Well, actually rather a rare and early combination flintlock pistol / folding knife. Just the thing for the gentleman about town. Gang warily.
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I’m only at the barbers for the first time in seven months. The sheep shearer said the job was too daunting for him.
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Scottish rolls folks; feather-light with a proper crust. Perfect with my favourite Cumberland, fresh orange and black coffee. I think I’ve peaked.
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So, I’m in South West Scotland on a valuation. Being on the Solway coast I thought I’d treat myself to a fish supper & popped into
@Cafe_Royal95
. They only use fresh hand selected haddock & fry in beef dripping. Michael there is a true artisan & a gentleman. Well worth a visit!
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Aside from having my goddamned appendix whipped out at short notice, the auction gods rained scorn on my bids today. Then this little ray of sunshine came my way online. The foot of a pretty little Georgian silver-rimmed beaker originally the property of a British army officer.
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I’ve decided stopping to just imbibe the somewhat heady fresh air and contemplate is the right call. Windermere.
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And this is why I come to work on a Saturday morning. What a provenance.
#Gallipoli
#auction
#cap
badge
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Have coveted an 18th Century Culpepper type microscope since a boy. Clearly my opposing bidders weren’t deterred by the auctioneer’s description “early 20th Century”. Never the less, it’s mine and goddamnit I’m chuffed. (BTW, of course the auction house wouldn’t pack and post.)
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Went on safari to see how normal folk live,
@IKEAUK
. Marvellous experience involving fantasies of a cool, contemporary lifestyle, meatballs, a sneaky hot dog & the procurement of some smart wine glasses. Sadly for the kids that’s as close as they’re getting; the old stuff stays
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Visited the big boys up at Edinburgh today and have to say, lovely customer service. Not the usual ransom note style correspondence and medical receptionist level of disdain I expect from auctioneers. Oh, the rarified heights. Also somewhat chuffed with my purchases, so all good.
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Traffic Police officer, “Do you mind if I take look in the back of the car sir?”. Me, “I’d rather you didn’t”. (A fictional anecdote, before you ask.) A morgenstern and English bill. The latter famously used by English armies up until the Civil Wars.
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Well, the new pizza oven at the auction room kitchen certainly works. May read the instructions prior to second outing. (Have also confirmed the fire alarm smoke detectors are functioning.)
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Bifstec salteado al Jerez. Been looking forward to this all week. Half a tankard down, cool sounds on and just getting started. Stay safe folks and have a good ‘un.
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I’m actually so far out of my natural habitat I’m expecting to bump into David Attenborough
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New toy arrived today. One of the most rare of Second World War British Army helmets, that worn by Glider Pilots of the Army Air Corps. Only worn in flight. Upon landing Glider pilots donned Airborne troop steel helmets and fought as infantry.
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Just a few of the sentinels of the staff library at our new premises The Temple Auction Rooms.
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“Sorry, pass you what?” “You didn’t say anything?” “Oh go on. Please let me pass you something with my lovely new Georgian silver tongs”
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Coffee ration going down well, the Cumberland is ready after an appropriately long gentle cook, and the garam masala is ready for tonight’s aloo gosht curry. Sorted.
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Cataloguing medals on a dreich Sunday when I discover a puckle of hammered silver coins and a George II 1745 silver “Lima” crown. The latter minted from silver captured from Spanish ships by Commodore Anson’s squadron. That’s cheered me up a tad
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So the boy from the sticks is in London performing a valuation. Rather than the hotel restaurant he goes exploring and finds this unassuming Lebanese Deli. I kid you not, one the the best meals I’ve had in ages. Goddamnit I love the less beaten tracks of big cities
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One of the key ingredients in this Friday night’s debauchery, beef dripping. Yes, you read it here, dripping. Chips a la heaven coming up accompanying a Desperate Dan sized steak. Should you wish to try tonight’s recipe, other key ingredients include gin & The Velvet Underground
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Great to welcome the true gentleman and scholar
@ProfPeterDoyle
to the Temple Auction Rooms today. Just the excuse to crack open a beer at the end of the day.
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Hey you, swaggering around the pool in your Mercedes baseball cap and Porsche design wristwatch, make way for a dude sporting a truly iconic German brand. (You’re damned right I bought them.)
@LidlGB
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It’s taken thirty years but I’m close to replicating the pizzas at Edinburgh Uni’s Chamber Street students’ union of the 1980s. Metallica for sounds and red wine for the quaffing of. Tonight’s going well.
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Scotland as viewed across the Solway from Silloth. A perfect vantage point from which to enjoy a sneaky fish and chip lunch following a professional engagement. Good for the soul, if not the waistline.
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Happy birthday indeed. Up there with Mr Ben.
On this day in 1974, at 1.45pm - between Pebble Mill at One and Music Time - we met the most important, the most beautiful, the most magical saggy old cloth cat in the whole world, for the very first time... 💖
Happy Birthday Bagpuss! 🥳🎉
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While daughter and friend are no doubt screaming themselves hoarse at Harry Styles gig, the chauffeur is indulging himself at Glasgow’s Mother India Cafe.
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Visited the Alhambra for the first time since my honeymoon, a very long time ago. A cliche for sure but it’s heaven on earth. Early Islamic and indeed Moorish culture in Spain is fascinating and exquisite.
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Look at this. Seriously, look at this. Over 38% buyers’s premium. Shocking. For your 38% their website states they “do not pack any lot, no matter how small”. A glance at their website “Costs” page is equally outrageous . What a disgrace. I’ll pass.
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£46 P&P charges from an auction room. Actual postage £15, materials £2, labour £2. Total costs incurred £19, therefore profit on providing basic service circa £20. Assume 100 buyers require this service, total profit £2000, equivalent to income from £6000 auction sale. Pure greed
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Red decanted, shepherds pie coming along and I’m onto 2nd beer. Tom Petty’s ‘Free Falling’ playing, which I fear is prophetic. “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom. You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. William Blake, Proverbs of Hell
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Look, I’m at London and on my Jack Jones in a pub with rather a good pint of pale ale and my phone, what else am I going to do but Tweet skylines like this
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Today, I am mainly quaffing craft ale from a late Georgian pearlware quart pot. Actually, today I was mainly at work, but right now it’s quaffing time while the beef roasts. Happy Sunday folks.
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An unexpected gift from a close friend and colleague is as good a start to a morning as I’ve had in many a moon. The author’s status as true gentleman and scholar, alongside his biting wit, bodes well.
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I actually do have better things to be doing, but decided to get my toys out. An uncommon combination of scarce Second World War RAF internally wired Irvin flying jacket (just back from restorer) and aviator’s flak jacket as used by some RAF aircrew flying US Lend Lease aircraft
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One of the clan has just scalped another with my beard trimmer. One week in and it’s gone full-on Lord of the Flies.
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In truth, these leftovers aren’t as innocent as they appear. I stashed the last two stunning spuds earlier, as I knew the gannets would have them if I was naive enough to leave the roasted little darlings in sight. I won’t be judged. To the cook the spoils.
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Happy Easter. Newcastle Cross, St Cuthbert's church, near Carlisle. 7th or early 8th Century. Described with one other by the scholar Nikolaus Pevsner as "the greatest achievement of their date in the whole of Europe"
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Somewhat chuffed with the 19th Century tambour-fronted stationery cabinet I picked up yesterday. For the moment my desk is looking somewhat tidy and organised. I should savour it while it lasts.
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