By Anne Marie Hillan
There’s something thrilling about watching an auction. The anticipation, the drama, the chance to uncover a hidden gem. Most of us have only seen an auction on TV but did you know that right here in the West End we have one of the most exciting auction houses in Scotland? Great Western Auctions was founded by the trailblazing Anita Manning. Anne Marie Hillan had the opportunity to talk with Anita about her life, her career, and to chat with Claire Godwyn, an auctioneer and valuer who has worked with Anita for 20 years.
ANITA MANNING
I met Anita in her amazing West End apartment which has fabulous views, the most amazing art and ceramics collection and gorgeous rugs on the floor. Now semi-retired, Anita works much of the time from her unique home. Anita is, just as you would expect, an absolute character – a very intelligent, funny and articulate woman.
Anita’s journey into the world of antiques and auctioneering wasn’t exactly planned. Growing up in the East End of Glasgow in a council scheme and attending the local comprehensive school, she was always active – debating, performing in drama societies, and even playing Lady Macbeth at the age of 13. Anita describes herself even at that age as fearless! Nothing phased her.
Despite an early love for beautiful objects – sparked by accompanying her father to Glasgow’s Crown Sale rooms in Sauchiehall Street – Anita initially pursued a different career. She trained as a PE teacher at Dunfermline College of Physical Education and spent several years teaching part-time in Glasgow. But teaching PE was not for her.
Where It All Began
While buying a bed for her toddler daughter, she struck up a conversation with the Irish dealer selling it. Impressed by her enthusiasm and the knowledge she had absorbed from years of attending auctions with her father, he got her address (she had no phone at the time) and six weeks later the same dealer came to her door and offered her a job. Before long, she was travelling across Scotland and into England driving a three ton truck to sourcing antiques.
Anita loved the work and loved all the stories behind the objects. This chance encounter resulted in a life time of work buying and selling antiques, art and collectibles
In 1989, her daughter suggested that they start an auction house business together and Great Western Auctions was born. Anita wanted to create an experience that was welcoming and accessible – not just for professional dealers but also for private buyers too. So Anita held auctions on a Saturday morning and all were welcome, resulting in packed auctions. Initially located on Otago Street at Kelvinbridge and now on Dumbarton Road, Anita gave the public a show and a laugh. She was the first female auctioneer in Scotland – definitely a woman in a man’s world – and she was good!
On the Telly
Anita’s confidence in the auction room was evident from the very start. She tells me that by lot number 10 in her very first auction she realised that this was absolutely her calling, something she knew she could completely enjoy and excel at.
Her individual character, wit and expertise caught the attention of BBC producers, leading in 2010 to her role initially as an expert on Flog It! and subsequently on Antiques Roadshow, Bargain Hunt and the Antiques Road Trip. The BBC and the public loved her Scottish accent and her banter. Television exposure brought international visitors – from Australia to the USA – right to Glasgow to see her in action. They had seen her in auctioneering action on TV and they wanted to experience it in real life.
Her television career didn’t stop there. Anita presented Scottish Passport and one of her favourite TV experiences was filming a show with Len Goodman of Strictly Come Dancing fame. She took him to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, travelling on the ferry from Wemyss Bay, visiting the beach donkeys, and enjoying ice cream at Zavaroni’s Café. As with everything Anita speaks of this with such enthusiasm
But there is no doubt that as well as being a real personality Anita is an excellent businesswoman. Over the years, Great Western Auctions has handled some remarkable sales. A painting by Scottish Colourist FCB Cadell under the hammer at Great Western Auctions fetched £220k, and a Panerai military watch, discovered by Anita’s colleague Claire Godwyn, stunned everyone when it sold for £52,000.
Keeping a Hand In
Even though she is now partially retired and works from her West End home, Anita remains the guiding force behind the auction house which now has a team of 15. She continues to mentor young auctioneers and shape the business with her passion and expertise. She explains that technology has absolutely revolutionised the auction with online bids arriving from all over the world and social media allowing the auction house, through facebook and instagram, to reach more people than ever.
Great Western Auctions regularly participate in Charity Valuation Days for the Rotary Club all across Scotland as well as having an in-house valuation service. Anita’s passion for antiques and auctioneering is truly infectious and her genuine zest for life is absolutely fabulous. She was a joy to speak to and I cannot wait to see her in full auctioneering action in real life.
CLAIRE GODWYN
I met Claire Godwyn at the auction house on auction day. I had to walk across the floor with live bidding ongoing and instantly felt the real excitement in the room. Originally from Croydon, Claire has been an integral part of Great Western Auctions, working and learning from Anita for 20 years.
Like Anita, Claire’s interest in antiques was sparked by her father. He collected trivets (the iron stands that are used to stand a hot cooking pot or kettle upon) and took Claire along to auctions when he was adding to his collection. It’s clear that these childhood visits made a lasting impression on the young Claire as after school she began a college course in the valuation of fine art and collectibles.
Starting initially as a porter in a small auction house in Crystal Palace a subsequent move to Scotland led her to write to Anita – and the rest, as they say, is history.
Finding Treasures
At Great Western Auctions, Claire quickly proved herself by doing everything from unpacking boxes and cataloguing items to portering. Her speciality now lies in ceramics, glass, and metalware, but she also plays a pivotal role in valuing estates.
She advises that the people she visits can often be vulnerable. Many are very attached to the items and she takes great care to ensure they’re truly ready to part with them. Claire is an auctioneer now and the Auction Manager. I wondered if being an auctioneer had always been her career goal? Absolutely not was the reply – unsurprisingly it was Anita that encouraged and persuaded her to take her place on the rostrum and Claire has never looked back. Like Anita – she loves it.
One of Claire’s most memorable discoveries was the Panerai military Divers watch that Anita mentioned. She was at a home valuing contents and was shown the watch almost as an afterthought. On looking at the photo of the watch I confessed that I might easily have binned a watch like that. Claire advised it had no visible branding on the face, but she recognised the military marking on the back. Initially estimated at a value of £10k–£15k the watch sparked a bidding war and eventually sold for £52k. Anita was the auctioneer that day. Claire was there as the sellers sat in the auction’s first row in absolute disbelief as the bids kept going up.
An Experience
And that is what working in the auction house is all about. Every day is different, every auction is different and sometimes Claire is able to find and discover items with remarkable history and achieve sums for their owners which were life changing.
I mentioned to Claire that I would love to attend an auction but that I had always harboured a personal fear that if I scratched my nose or moved my glasses I’d end up buying something without meaning to. Claire reassures me that you actually register to bid in advance and then just put your hand up.
So, what should I buy? The advice is straightforward – buy something you like and can afford. Great Western Auctions hold sales every two weeks, with additional quarterly Fine Art & Antiques auctions featuring exceptional pieces.
‘It’s such an experience to attend an auction,’ Claire enthuses. ‘You can find everything – furniture, art, jewellery, collectibles – and often at much better prices than on the high street.’
Spending time with both Anita and Claire leaves me inspired. Their deep passion for antiques and auctions is contagious. I may have been quite fearful before but after seeing firsthand how the auction works I am eager to attend one very soon. And how fabulous is it that this auction house is right here in the West End! So in March I am definitely going – I will see Anita and Claire in action. Who knows? I might even walk away with a hidden treasure of my own. I will keep you posted!
12th & 13th March: Antiques & Collectibles
21st & 22nd March: Spring Fine Arts & Antiques
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