Victor Mee Auctions moves online to host renowned Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction
Abiding by current Government restrictions around the Covid-19 pandemic, Victor Mee Auctions has moved online to host its upcoming sale, Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction, which will see the full collection of distinguished second-generation antique dealer Gerard Derry, owner of Derry’s Ltd, hit the auction block. The sale will run over two weekends, beginning at 2pm on 23rd – 24th May and 6th – 7th June, with the first weekend showcasing Derry’s decorative Interiors & garden pieces and the second giving way to his architectural, pub fittings and advertising memorabilia.
Now well-known throughout the UK and Ireland as a highly respected antique dealer, Gerard started full time work with his father at the age of 16, learning the ropes and igniting his passion for all things beautifully unique with a deep-rooted history attached. He felt very fortunate to be part of the flourishing antique trade during the 70s and 80s, a time where the market was ripe and interesting items were being sold in vast quantities, fetching auctioneers throughout the UK and Ireland great prices for their lots.
Established in 1979, Derry’s Ltd quickly became a fast-growing business providing an extensive and varied collection of furniture and decorative pieces to the entire hospitality and leisure industry, many of which are represented in the upcoming May sale.
The first weekend of Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction will offer bidders a chance to take home some extremely interesting decorative interiors and garden furniture pieces, including an extremely rare late 19th century hand operated fairground carousel, being sold at auction in full working order, adorned with eighteen hand carved and painted horses and two swing boats. The carousel in which Mr Derry previously bought from Victor Mee Auctions back in 2018 was originally bought from the Farrells, a carnival family of Buncrana, Co Donegal and is an extremely rare find, as many carousels alike would have been broken up or still retained by carnival families.
This type of carousel dates back to the 1940s, where it would have been enjoyed by many before electrical carousels came into operation. Estimated to sell at auction between €10,000 and €20,000, this lot is expected to be of high interest amongst bidders. In addition to the fairground carousel, Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction will see an array of other decorative interiors and garden pieces hit the auction block, many of which are sure to make a statement within any home or garden. Key lots of interest include:
Lot 415 - An Exxon Mobil Dallas Pegasus horse on stand advertising model, estimated to sell between €600 and €1,200
Lot 82 - Three branch 250-year-old Bonsai tree, estimated to sell between €1,500 and €3,500
Lot 401 – A pair of cast iron bulls mounted on plinths, estimated to sell between €3,500 and €6,500
Lot 397 - Decorative cast iron circular tree garden seat, estimated to sell between €400 and €800
Lot 395 - Decorative cast iron three-seater garden bench estimated to sell between €500 and €700
Ahead of the first instalment of Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction, auctioneer Victor Mee said, “We are honoured to have been asked by Mr Derry to host his online retirement auction, which begins next weekend. We are very excited to welcome bidders online to explore the wide range of unique decorative interiors and garden furniture pieces that will be available at the auction block. We are currently facing unsure times, so are hoping our series of online weekend auctions will not only allow bidders to take home a little bit of antique history, but will also act as a welcomed pass time as we all continue to stay at home.”
For those with a keen interest in architectural pub fittings and advertising, the second instalment of Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction is the one for you and will take place on the 6th and 7th June.
As Mr Derry’s budding career developed in to the 90s, so did the vibrant emerging market for memorabilia and architectural salvage in the hospitality bar, hotel and restaurant trade and Gerard began to travel around the world sourcing unusual pieces for this market. Over its many years of business Derry’s Ltd became synonymous with architectural memorabilia supplying Ireland, Europe and the American markets.
Due to Mr Derry’s expertise in the field, Lots available in June’s architectural, pub fittings and advertising sale are expected to sell for high price tags to interested bidders around the world. The online catalogue for the June auction will be announced by Victor Mee Auctions on Monday 25th May, with key lots including two original Brunswick Bars, originating from the USA and an early 20th century hand carved oak pulpit known as the Pulpit of Truth, sculpted by Louis Mascré, commissioned by Baron and Baroness Crawhez and donated to the Church of Saint Martin in the town of Ransart, Belgium. The pulpit took over three years to complete and is estimated to sell at auction between €40,000 and €80,000.
Reflecting on the auction and the current antiques trade as a whole, auctioneer Victor Mee said, “This auction will offer collectors a fantastic selection of unique antique pieces that will complement indoor and outdoor areas of the home, as well as adding great character to spaces dedicated to the hospitality and leisure industry. At Victor Mee Auctions we continue to delight in the continued want for antique pieces, new trends do continue to take precedence, but much like the fashion world, new trends are usually a variation of things past.”
This sale will operate online only and no in-house viewing will be available. Bids for this sale can be left online or with the Victor Mee Auctions team via phone or email. Telephone bids can also be arranged. The auction will be hosted live in real-time with Easy Live Auction.
For more information on Victor Mee Auctions’ upcoming Gerard Derry’s Retirement Auction taking place on Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th May and Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th June, or to view the online catalogue visit www.victormeeauctions.ie.