Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert from Towcester entertains

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert outside Walton Hall

 Jonathan Humbert is Managing Director and Auctioneer of Northamptonshire's premier auction house based in the market town of Towcester. The business of J P Humbert Auctioneers Limited was founded in July 2003 with partner and now wife Suzanne as Finance Director.

A most entertaining presentation was given to members and guests of the MKGU Rotary Club breakfast meeting in April 2005 at which Jonathan traced his ancestry back five generations to the first family auctioneer who was Charles Humbert. He held livestock auctions in Watford, Hertfordshire from 1841 and Jonathan was able to show a replica poster revealing the items for sale by auction in 1856.

Jonathan, who was educated at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, has pursued a number of careers, but is probably best known as an antique trader in Buckingham specialising in antique furniture.

Because of disillusionment with the quality of auction houses in the locality, Jonathan founded the business with a vision that he wanted to create a superior sale room and was fortunate to be able to acquire a 5,000 sq. ft. premises formerly occupied by Plessey Electronics in Towcester which was only 20 years old. The premises were ideal with excellent security, well lit, pleasantly warm, extremely spacious with a 250 space car park.

Jonathan explained how the auction business works and the frequency and type of sale that he holds including both antique and general sales. In the past he has held specialist sales in the form of country pursuits and motor race memorabilia. These proved particularly successful in the rural area and because of the proximity to Silverstone motor racing circuit. In the future there is the possibility of a sale of Victorian erotica. The business can call upon the services of a team of professionals who are specialists in their fields for the purposes of valuation and advice.

Perhaps the highlight of the presentation was when Jonathan displayed his professional skills by auctioning two items for charity, a Millers Guide to Antique Furniture and a replica of the first edition of Country Life. Such were the skills of Jonathan that he held an extremely lively auction persuading members present to dig deep into their pockets to win the items on offer.

 

 

 

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