The entire estate of The Late Major Hext was sold at auction on Saturday by Tennants Auctioneers. With 100% sold rate the 829 lots totalled almost half a million pounds.

 

A house with connections to Beatrix Potter and Ruskin it was sure to create an abundance of interest. With thousands attending over the view days and sale day the magic was kept alive until the early evening on Saturday. A Kate Greenaway initialled and illustrated manuscript leads the romantic contents of Holywath realising £18,000 on the day.

 

 

Major Hexts’ train collection attracted enthusiastic collectors from around the world. His lifetime collection of engines and carriages made over £75,000 headed by a Beeson "O" Gauge Electric 3-Rail 4-4-0 No.937 Locomotive which realised £10,000. The strong bidding in the room created an electric atmosphere as everyone wanted a piece of history.

 

The sale included a most interesting group of ethnographic and military items from the region of Nepal, collected by Major Hext on his travels. Together with various tribal wear, documented by photographs the Major had taken and a large collection of medals, the section totalled over £10,000.

 

Other highlights of the sale included a Jonas Barber Eight Day Longcase Clock realising £13,000, A Jaques "The Staunton Chess-Men" Set realising £6,500 and A Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls, Qianlong (1736-1795) that realised £5,000.