Bonhams Auctioneers Add Lustre to Christmas With £1.86-Million Savoy Sale
Published December 23rd, 2007
Over the course of three 12-hour days, over 3,500 people from across the world chose to bid on a little piece of history from one of the world’s best-loved hotels.
Many came to bid in person, some of whom had decided to take “a trip down memory laneâ€, having spent their honeymoon, 21st birthday party, wedding reception or a special weekend break at the hotel in the past.
Over 5000 people paid £30 for a Bonhams sale catalogue, indicating a phenomenal interest in the auction. Over the three days bids flooded in from as far away as South America, the Far East and Australia. A multitude of private individuals bought; as did hoteliers, interior designers, and party-planners.
Ten Bonhams auctioneers worked in rotation to spare their voices over three 12-hour days to get through the 3,000 lots. To save time, bidding frequently started at the low estimate but despite this, the sheer volume of bidding lengthened the sale of each item by minutes, as prices soared above expectations.
Related Articles Bonhams to hold Savoy Hotel contents auctionFrank Sinatra Piano Auctioned at The SavoySavoy Sale Takes 1.8 million poundsLondon Savoy AuctionHotel history on the auction block as Savoy closes
