A grand piano by Broadwood, London, 1806 The mahogany cross-banded case inlaid with ebony stringing,

Terms and conditions:

1. Introduction

The following informative notices are intended to assist buyers, particularly those inexperienced or new to our Saleroom. All sales are conducted in accordance with Conditions of Sale which are readily available for inspection and normally accompany all our Catalogues. Our staff will be happy to help you if there is anything you do not fully understand.

2. Agency

The Canterbury Auction Galleries and Piano Auctions Limited act on joint instructions of the Trustees of The Colt Clavier Collection (Registered Charity No. 273108). If you buy your Primary Contract is with the Vendor.

3. Estimates

Estimates are designed to help the buyers gauge what sort of sum might be involved for the purchase of a particular lot. Reserves will not exceed the lower published estimate. In this Auction all lots will be sold with wide Auctioneers Discretion – All Lots sold with estimates below £1,000 will be offered for sale with NO Reserves. Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Premium and are prepared some time before the sale and may be altered by announcement before the sale – they are in no sense definitive.

4. Buyer’s Premium and V.A.T.

All lots are subject to a Buyer’s Premium of 20% plus V.A.T. (24% in total) of the Hammer Price. The introduction of the Auctioneers Margin Scheme will mean that this will be shown as an inclusive figure of 24% and V.A.T. cannot be reclaimed as Input Tax (except on export – subject to relevant conditions). V.A.T. will not be chargeable on any lots within this Auction (except on Buyer’s Premium).

5. Condition of Lots/Condition Reports

Please note carefully the Exclusion of Liability for the Condition of Lots contained in the Conditions of Sale. Intending buyers have ample opportunity of inspection of goods and neither the Vendor nor the Auctioneers accept responsibility for their condition. Due to the age and nature of the pianos and keyboard instruments, these are not guaranteed to be in working order. Condition reports for the main keyboard instruments are available via email – richard@pianoauctions.co.uk or by telephone on view days – 07799 771911.

Note - BUT such reports are for guidance only and no responsibility can be accepted for their accuracy. Intending buyers are strongly encouraged to view in person. 

6. Export of Goods

Buyer’s intending to export goods should ascertain –

(a)    Whether an export license is required, and

(b)   Whether there is any specific prohibition on exporting/importing goods of that character because, e.g. they may contain prohibited materials such as ivory. Obtaining the relevant license is the responsibility of the buyer.

Although at present we can legally sell you keyboard items you must satisfy yourself prior to bidding that your country allows the import of such items, you should consult in advance of purchasing - once purchased the responsiblity (and risks) for the lot becomes yours and no refund or retraction of bid will be permitted. 

7. Bidding

Please note the Auciton will take place at The Canterbury Auction Galleries on Thursday 7th June and NOT at The Colt Hall, Bethersden.

(a)    Bidding in person – All perspective buyers are requested to register before the sale commences, and all lots will be invoiced to the name and address on the registration form. Some forms of identification may be required if unknown to us and an indication of the preferred method of payment and whether you will require removal and storage of purchases. Please enquire and book in advance regarding arrangements for telephone bidding.

(b)   Commission bidding – Buyers who are unable to attend the auction may leave commission bids with the auctioneers indicating the maximum amount to bid, excluding Buyer’s Premium, together with the bidders full name, address, telephone number and email address. Commission bids will be executed as cheaply as possible, having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids, the auctioneers may prefer the first bid received. Whilst taking every care, the auctioneers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Commission forms must be received by the auctioneer by 4pm on the evening prior to auction at the latest and can be submitted in person, by post or emailed to us. They must state the senders full address, telephone number and email address and must be signed by the intending buyer. The onus of safe receipt of commission bid forms rests with the bidder. Our email address is general@tcag.co.uk. Commission bids left by telephone will only be accepted by prior arrangement with the auctioneers, or by persons well known to the auctioneers. Enquiries as to whether lots have been purchased must be made on the morning after the sale and not whilst the auction in in progress. Sale results will be available on our website the day after the sale.

(c)    Live bidding online – Live bidding through the-saleroom.com will allow you to participate live at this Auction from your own computer, mobile or tablet, from the comfort of your own home or office. Live audio and image of lots being sold will enable you to experience the atmosphere of the Auction as if you were there in person. Online bidding via the-saleroom.com is easy, safe and secure. You will need to register in advance at the-saleroom.com and it is suggested that you check how the system works so you will feel confident on the actual auction day. 

Commission bids (or auto bids) can also be left before the start of the live auction. Please note the-saleroom.com will charge a 3% online commission charge (in addition to the Buyer’s Premium) on all lots purchased.

You are also invited to bid through our own bidding platform (without any additional online Commission charge) and you will need to register via our website atthecanterburyauctiongalleries.com and follow registration instructions and requirement. 

(d)   Bidding increments –

Up to £200  -            £10

£200-500 -               £20

£500-2,000 -            £50

£2,000-5,000 –       £100

Above £5,000 –     £500

8. Methods of Payment/Clearance Times

Methods of payment – All payments by mail, bank transfer, etc, must be made in Sterling. The following methods of payment are available – CASH, CHEQUE, STERLING BANK DRAFT, DIRECT BANK TRANSFER IN STERLING, CREDIT CARDS (Visa, Access/MasterCard issued in the U.K. only), DEBIT CARDS (Switch, Connect, etc). As a general rule, any cheques tendered will need to be cleared before removal of lots. Cheques and drafts should be made payable to The Canterbury Auction Galleries. Bank transfers should be made to – National Westminster Bank Plc, PO Box 306, 11, The Parade, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2DT. Account No: 70443505 Sort Code: 600427.

Please Note: Credit Card payments will NOT be accepted from buyers outside the UK or from buyer’s NOT present.

Clearance Times – Sterling cheques drawn on U.K. banks and supported by a cheque card value for the amount due can be cleared immediately. All other Sterling cheques drawn on U.K. banks will generally clear on the fifth working day after receipt. Sterling bank drafts drawn on U.K. banks can generally be cleared immediately. Bank transfers can clear as soon as our bank receives funds (which does not happen instantaneously after payment instructions are given). Credit and Debit card payments can be cleared immediately, subject to confirmation with the card issuer.

9. Collection and Storage

Please note all lots will remain at The Colt Hall, Bethersden, clearance will need to be made from this venue. Limited clearance of smaller lots (once paid for) may be available on the afternoon of the sale (from The Colt Hall), however the main clearance of the keyboard instruments will not be possible until Friday 8th June, Saturday 9th June or Monday 11th June from 9.30am to 4pm and suitable assistance will be available. Please ensure that you have a suitable vehicle appropriate to the clearance and removal of your purchase on the above clearance days.

We are able to offer a Pack and Hold service whereby lots are collected by our approved carrier G.&R. Removals and held in storage for the buyer until cleared funds have been received by us. The transport and storage cost will be the responsibility of the buyer. Please ask for further details.

As of Tuesday 12th June All uncollected keyboard instruments (lots 1-114) will be collected by G. & R. Removals and will be held at their storage facility. Delivery (once paid for) can then be arranged direct with G. & R. Removals.  

6A Langley Business Centre

Station Road,

Langley, Berkshire

SL3 8DS

Attention – Lance Green

Contact Number – 01753 589080

The smaller instruments and other items (lots 115-187) not collected by Monday 11th June will be removed to The Canterbury Auction Galleries and can be collected (once paid for) from the 12th June.