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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

West Midlands auction house to sell film set replica of House of Commons

2pm on Friday, 21st June will be something of an historic moment for Wolverhampton’s Cuttlestones Auctioneers & Valuers, as it sells three iconic Film & TV sets on behalf of Wimbledon Studios.

The House of Commons Set used in the film'The Irom Lady'
The House of Commons Set used in the film’The Irom Lady’

The lots will include and actual-size House of Commons set, as seen in The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep, alongside a replica court room and prison set, both of which have featured in The Bill. Cuttlestones has been commissioned to handle the sale of the sets after they were originally put up for sale on eBay on 7th March with bids closing on 22nd March at £123,400. Unfortunately, the eBay bidder did not come good on their purchase, leaving Wimbledon Studios with three massive sets still to store on site.

With the studio having undergone extensive refurbishment and expansion since its current management took over in 2010 and the storage space now needed to continue its growth, the studio turned to Cuttlestones to help attract a new purchaser, as Wimbledon Studio’s Managing Director, Piers Read, explains:

“It was unfortunate that our original buyer didn’t come through in the end, but I’m confident that Cuttlestones’ will help us find the purchaser we need to allow us to continue our expansion. These sets are the holy grail of movie and TV memorabilia and are absolutely unique. The buyer needs a lot of space, as the House of Commons set alone covers 5,000 square feet, but if you are a true movie buff and want to say you share the same seat as Meryl Streep on a daily basis, here’s your chance.”

Cuttlestones, meanwhile, is relishing the opportunity to sell such unusual lots. Managing Director and Head Auctioneer, Ben Gamble, says:

“We see plenty of rare and unusual items pass through our auction rooms, but these have to be the biggest and possibly most unique lots we’ve ever had the privilege to sell. We’re used to tapping into niche marketplaces on a global scale, so we’re confident we’ll find the perfect buyer for these sets – whether they’re in the Film and TV industry looking for a ready-made backdrop or are just a true Film buff who wants to follow in the footsteps of the stars, this is a truly one-off opportunity.”

The commission from London-based Wimbledon Studios marks a growing number of customers from far and wide who are choosing Cuttlestones, which has auction rooms in both Penkridge and Wolverhampton, to sell their items. Other examples include a series of letters from the early 20th Century writer Sir Hugh Walpole, consigned by a vendor from the US, and a plaster cast by the artist Arnold Machin of the Queen’s head as seen on postage stamps. This cast was consigned by a friend of the artist from London following the £15,700 sale to a London institute of another, similar, cast discovered during Cuttlestones’ clearance of the artist’s Staffordshire home, and went onto achieve an impressive £18,000. Ben says:

“The internet has really altered the landscape when it comes to the world of auctioneering. No longer do vendors have to use one of the big International auction houses to reach a global audience. With online cataloguing and a number of options for remote bidders, including live online bidding, we see a significant proportion of lots sell to overseas bidders. This success works both ways and vendors are increasingly recognising that provincial auction houses are a great platform for selling their items.”

The sets will go under the hammer on Friday, 21st June 2013 at Cuttlestones’ Wolverhampton Auction Rooms with telephone, commission and live internet bidding options available. For further information call 01902 421985, email [email protected] or visit www.cuttlestones.co.uk/filmsets.