At Lyon & Turnbull we want to make buying at auction, either in the saleroom or online as easy and enjoyable as possible. With both specialists and client services available across a wide range of locations so whatever your interest or query we are always on hand to help.
Here we explain the whole process of buying at auction, from the first sight of your lot to taking it home.
To view all of the lots please note the public viewing times and locations listed at the front of each printed catalogue or at the top each online auction catalogue.
All auctions are available to view online and each image can be enlarged for closer inspection. For further information on a lot you may be able to view a condition report online (see below) or contact us using the Lot Enquiry button.
All lots carry an estimated price band, listed in the catalogue, which indicates our opinion of value. The final price may be higher or lower than this band depending on demand. If there is a reserve on the lot then it cannot be sold below that price. Reserves are never higher than the bottom estimate, price and may be set lower.
We highly recommend that potential bidders gather as much information as possible regarding a lot before placing a bid. If you are unable to view a lot in person you may request a condition report and/or additional images of a lot. If you would like a report on the condition of your lot(s) you can view them from the online catalogue when they become available or request one at info@lyonandturnbull.com
Please be aware that we receive a large volume of requests for additional information prior to an auction and whilst we endeavour to reply to all enquiries in a timely fashion, we may not be able to provide a full report until the last few days before the auction.
Lot descriptions and estimates are prepared in advance of the auction and may be subject to change.
Any alterations will be announced on the catalogue alteration sheet, available prior to the auction from our main office and reception.
All purchases are subject to a buyer’s premium of 25% of the hammer price of each lot up to and including £300,000, plus 20% from £300,001 and thereafter. When you successfully bid on any lot, the price you pay will be the hammer price (the value you bid at the auction), plus the buyer’s premium.
For Whisky & Spirits Auctions - All purchases will be subject to a buyer's premium of 15% of the hammer price.
The premium is subject to VAT at the standard rate, with the exception of lots marked in the catalogue with a dagger (†) where VAT applies to both hammer price and buyer’s premium. If there is an asterisk (*) or section mark (§) next to your lot number in the catalogue, this is to indicate that the law dictates your lot will be subject to additional import VAT or Droit de Suite charges.
Should your winning bid be placed via an third-party online live auction service you may be charged an additional fee on the hammer price (see 'bidding' below).
Information on any additional charges is always available at the very start of both printed and online catalogues.
There are many ways to bid (see below). You can register to bid at any time before the auction; however we suggest you allow plenty of time to register to secure your bids. The few hours prior to an auction are often very busy and clients will be registered on a first-come-first-served basis.
Prior to placing bids please be sure to read our Conditions of Sale for Buyers. By submitting a bid (in any form) you are agreeing to these Conditions of Sale.
We kindly ask that all first time bidders at Lyon & Turnbull supply the following documents in order to complete their initial registration
1. Government issued photo ID (passport/ driving licence)
2. Proof of address (utility bill/ bank statement)
You may present these documents in person at our saleroom or at one of our office locations or, if registering for a telephone or absentee bid, fax (0131 557 8668) or email copies to us at info@lyonandturnbull.com
We may, at our discretion, ask you to provide a bank reference and/ or a deposit as a condition of allowing you to bid.
There are four easy ways to bid at our auctions, and, of course, all bids are confidential.
If you are unable to attend the auction we can bid on your behalf. You can leave an absentee bid online by selecting the 'Leave a Bid' option on your chosen lot.
Alternatively you can complete an absentee bid form and either hand it to a member of staff or fax it to 0131 557 8668. Please note that our bid department may contact you for further details.
You can download a copy of the absentee bid form here
Download PDF Absentee Bid Form
Either way, the amount you enter on the form should be your maximum limit. We will bid up to that limit for you, and remember you may end up paying less than your limit, depending on other bidding on the day.
Simply register at reception, or on auction days at the cash office. You may need to provide identification. Once you have registered you will be handed a numbered paddle to use in the saleroom. When the bidding begins on your lot raise your paddle to bid. When the bidding stops the auctioneer will bring down the gavel and read out your number if you have won the lot.
If you would like to bid by telephone, our clerk will call you from the saleroom on the auction day, just before your lot(s) come up, and will then relay to you the events in the room, and bid on your behalf live at the auction when instructed to do so.
If you would like to bid by telephone please contact our team prior to the auction with your details of the lots you are interested in and your full name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and email.
You can download a copy of the telephone bid form here
Download PDF Telephone Bid Form
Once our team have processed your bid request you will receive an email confirmation.
Please note that all absentee and telephone bid requests must be received at least an hour before the auction.
Many clients prefer bidding live online at our auctions. It’s easy to register with us online, you can watch the auction as it happens and place bids from the comfort of your computer.
Lyon & Turnbull Live is powered by Auction Mobility. There will be no additional live bidding fees applied for this service (unlike many other providers).
Lyon & Turnbull Live is also available for both Apple and Andriod mobile devices. To browse catalogues, leave absentee bids and bid live in all auctions from your device download the free app from the App Store (for Apple devices) and Google Play (for those on Andriod).
You will need to create a new account to use Lyon & Turnbull Live - once created it will give you access to live bidding facilities both from your desktop and through our app.
When you see that exceptional item, you need to have the confidence you can bid to the level needed to make it yours. Unbolted can offer you a Bid-Booster loan of up to 70% of the value. You do not have to pay back until you are ready and able to take possession of the item, or 6 months whichever comes earlier.
Unbolted charges a flat interest rate of 2% a month of the loan amount, with a 3% set-up fee, and no further fees.
Congratulations on your successful bidding, the next stage is payment.
There are number of ways to pay to make it as easy as possible for you. We accept cash, credit or debit card or bank transfer.
Remember your final invoice will include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium of 25% of the hammer price of each lot up to and including £300,000, plus 20% from £300,001 thereafter, plus VAT on the buyer's premium. If there is a dagger (†), asterisk (*) or section mark (§) next to your lot number in the catalogue, your lot will be subject to additional VAT or Droit de Suite charges. See our Conditions of Sale for further details, or the auction information at the start of the printed or online catalogues.
All items must be paid for before they can be collected.
Please find details in any email invoice we issue or upon request from our accounts department.
Cash payments can be made at the accounts desk during or after an auction. Please note that we do not accept cash payments above £5,000.
Payment can be made by credit or debit card. Please note we can accept Visa or MasterCard only. Payment by card must be made in person in our Edinburgh branch or online (see below), we are unable to accept card payments by telephone.
Click below to pay by credit or debit card online. A system provided by Cardstream and Credorax.
Cheques should be made payable to Lyon and Turnbull Ltd. We reserve the right to wait until cheques have been cleared by our bankers before releasing bought goods. Cheques can be cleared prior to auction on request. Cheques drawn by third parties cannot be accepted. If paying by post please include the slip from your invoice.
COVID-19 RELATED UPDATE FOR APRIL 2020 ONWARDS
We will be offering free storage of any purchases in our Edinburgh saleroom until such time as collections become less restricted.
We have been working with our local Mailboxes Etc branch and Aardvark Art Services to maintain a limited safe and contact-free collections and shipment service for smaller items.
Contact Mailboxes for more info
Contact Aardvark Art Services for more info
Shipping Services for Chinese Language Speakers | Purchases from Sale 600 Asian & Islamic Art
Mr. Xigang Hu 胡夕剛 | Mail Boxes Etc. Romford
07766 905168 | Wechat ID: xiganghu
info@mberomford.co.uk / huxigang@mberomford.co.uk
Zixis Fine Art Ltd. | Mr Xiaoyang Zhang 張曉陽 先生
Wechat ID: seanzhang1986
For safety reasons no personal collections or alternative carriers will be allowed to pick-up or drop-off items at any of our UK venues until restrictions are lifted.
Our saleroom team are always on hand to help, whether you are collecting in person or require advice about recommended carriers.
If you attend an auction in person and are successful in your bid, you are free to collect and remove your item there and then once payment has been cleared. If you are not able to do so we are happy to recommend a number of carriers who will be able to arrange packing and shipping for you. Please contact them directly to receive a quote for costs. You are, of course, very welcome to use an alternative courier.
Mailboxes Etc
44/46 Morningside Road
Edinburgh, EH10 4BF
Tel: 0131 556 6226
info@mbeedinburgh.com
www.mbe.co.uk/auctionroom
Mailboxes Etc
8 Shepherd Market
Mayfair
London, W1J 7JY
Tel: 0207 491 0022
info@mbemayfair.co.uk
Mailboxes Etc
61 Praed Street
London, W2 1NS
Tel: 0207 706 3666
info@mbepaddington.co.uk
A&S Pert Removals
Tel: 07876 343520
New Leaf Removals
Tel: 07999 926261
Aardvark Art Services Ltd
Tel: 01253 794 673
info@aardvarkartservices.com
Constantine Moving Services (Specialists in UK & International Shipping)
Constantine House
North Caldeen Road
Coatbridge, ML5 4EF
Tel: 01236 430 681
allanak@constantinemoving.com
A Van Man Transport
Unit 5, Benridge Park
Holyrood Close, Creekmoor
Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BD
Tel: 01202 600 012
office@avmt.co.uk
As you may be aware several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, such as rhino horn, ivory, coral and tortoiseshell. If you are interested in bidding on a lot containing these materials and you wish to export please make sure you are familiar with all relevant customs regulations prior to bidding. It is the buyer’s sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence.
Please be aware that lots marked with the symbol Y may be subject to CITES regulations when exporting outside the EU. For more information please visit www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/
For security reasons all lots with an upper estimate value of £1,000 and above are searched against the Art Loss Register database in advance of every auction.
For further information on buying at Lyon & Turnbull please see our Conditions of Sale
33 Broughton Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3RR
0131 557 8844
info@lyonandturnbull.com
22 Connaught Street
London
W2 2AF
0207 930 9115
london@lyonandturnbull.com
182 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4HG
0141 333 1992
glasgow@lyonandturnbull.com
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