OUR 200 YEAR HISTORY

Edinburgh’s Famous Lane Sales

26 November 2024

Lyon & Turnbull

An Auction Tradition Like No Other

In the first half of the 20th century, Lyon & Turnbull had already become one of Scotland’s leading auction houses, known for handling everything from fine antiques to everyday furnishings. But among its many traditions, none captured Edinburgh’s imagination quite like the Lane Sales.

Auctions on the Cobbles

Starting in the 1940s, Lyon & Turnbull transformed Thistle Street Lane, tucked just behind the firm’s George Street premises, into an open-air marketplace. Tables, wardrobes, china, tools, and curiosities were piled high on both sides of the narrow cobbled street. Auctioneers worked their way through hundreds of lots, rain or shine, while crowds pressed in to see what bargains might be found.

The atmosphere was part sale, part spectacle. Prices started as low as ten pence, but bidding could be just as spirited as in the grand salerooms.

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A Curiosity of Edinburgh Life

The Lane Sales quickly became an Edinburgh institution. They weren’t only for dealers hunting stock, they drew curious locals, tourists, and even international visitors: Americans were even known to make annual pilgrimages.

For some, it was about finding a bargain. For others, it was about the experience itself: the banter of the auctioneer, the bustle of the crowd, and the chance that any lot might hide a treasure.

From Practical to Quirky

The range of items was staggering. One week might see china and cutlery, the next a Claude Glass (a rare 18th-century artist’s tool) or a collection of antique silver. Among the wardrobes, tools and household goods lay curiosities that collectors still talk about today.

For Edinburgh residents, the Lane Sales became part of city life. Regulars came not just to buy, but to socialise, to “have a blether” as much as to raise a hand in bidding.

Our 200 Year History

From the cobbled streets of Thistle Street Lane to today’s international presence in Edinburgh and London, Lyon & Turnbull has always balanced the serious business of auctions with the joy of discovery. The Lane Sales may no longer run three times a week, but they live on in the stories and curiosity that still defines the firm.

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