Diss auctioneers sold on idea of online sales

Diss auction house TW Gaze will recommence operations with a series of online sales after a six-week absence.

Director Elizabeth Talbot announced at the end of March that the business, in Roydon Road, would close for the first time since it was established in 1857 in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The auction rooms had previously continued through both world wars, the Great Depression and various global financial crises.

But on Wednesday, sales will resume with an automobilia auction, with everything from vintage car signs to a 1964 Autounion Munga Jeep.

Ms Talbot said: “Initially, they will all be online-only auctions, featuring a combination of sales with remote live-bidding and timed sales.

“There will be no public viewings, but each illustrated catalogue will appear on our website, available for up to two weeks beforehand, for careful study and entertaining browsing.”

Bids can be logged via the auction room’s website or by registering on thesaleroom.com – an online auction house platform. Successful bidders will be asked to pay remotely, before collecting their lots by appointment.

Further dates include a militaria sale, which was originally scheduled to correspond with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, but will now be held on May 29.

TW Gaze is also offering a remote valuation service via email and video link for sellers.

Ms Talbot added that she expected the sales calendar to grow in size over the coming weeks as more popular auctions are added to the schedule.