Tennants are very privileged to have been instructed to sell the second part of the extensive and valuable collection of the late Mr Frank Ryden in a special sale on Saturday 14 August.
Frank Ryden was born on 14th October 1925, in Whalley near Blackburn in Lancashire. He was one of six children.
Following National Service he tried to set up his own business, selling second hand furniture on a stall in the outdoor market in Blackburn. This tool a long time to achieve having to take all the furniture from his mother’s parlour by cart to the market everyday and request a stall. It took six weeks until a regular stallholder failed to arrive and Frank was allowed his pitch. From then on he never looked back.
A very private and confidential man, Frank soon became a successful and highly respected antique dealer in Blackburn and the surrounding area, along with his friends and contemporaries which included such famous dealers as Henry ‘Harry’ Brindle; Joe Marshall; Richard Howarth and Edna and Alan Austen.
Eventually he had two antique shops, one in the town centre in Victoria Street and a second on the outskirts of town on Preston Old Road. He particularly enjoyed collecting all types of clocks and paintings.
In 1970 Frank decided to retire to the Isle of Man following the rebuilding of Blackburn town centre when his shop in Victoria Street was demolished for redevelopment. Amazingly he took all his shop stock with him and stored it away from view for the next 40 years. The full extent of this ‘Treasure Trove’ only came to light when Frank passed away in November 2009 and the family had to sort out his estate.
Part One of the collection was sold as part of the Summer Catalogue Sale (22-24 July) which totalled £2.2 million.
The Ryden Sale, Part II will be held at The Auction Centre (Leyburn, North Yorkshire) on Saturday 14 August at 9.30am.
Viewing: Thursday 12 August and Friday 13 August 9.00am – 6.00pm
For further information and photographs please Tennants Auctioneers on 01969 623780 or enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk