Mail Boxes Etc. appointed to handle shipments from Shambles Museum auction
Antiques delivery specialist Mail Boxes Etc. has taken on a logistical challenge and a half due to the planned auction in May of the entire contents of the Shambles Museum in Newent, Gloucestershire - one of the largest collections of Victorian artefacts in the country.
The Shambles occupies a one-acre site and provides a unique experience of Victorian life, complete with cobbled streets, shops and cottages, which the visitor can wander into to admire the costumed figures working or relaxing in the authentic, richly furnished replica buildings.
Altogether around 2,500 lots, with estimates ranging from £5 to £1,000, will be auctioned by Simon Chorley Arts & Antiques, Cheltenham-based art and antiques auctioneer, from 18th to 21st May. “There hasn’t been an auction like this for years,” he explains. “Everything must be cleared from the site by the end of the auction week, lock, stock and barrel, so we needed to find a trustworthy partner to help us handle the logistics.”
Mail Boxes Etc., was chosen to handle the entire packing and despatch service that will be offered to remote bidders and others who prefer not to collect their own antique, bulky or fragile purchases by the strict deadline of 4pm on 23rd May.
David Owen, franchisee for Mail Boxes Etc. in Cheltenham, will lead the team running the logistics operation from one of the original Victorian building sets at the museum.
“Although this auction is on a much larger scale than any we have serviced before, we do regularly ship antique and valuable objects following auction sales so we have a good idea of what resources we’ll need for the event,” he said.
“We are confident that we can provide the same level of care and attention to all buyers, whether they are private individuals or professional collectors – and we’re even planning to respect the atmosphere of the museum by having our on-site booking staff wear authentic Victorian costumes!”
Mail Boxes Etc. ships to anywhere in the world from its network of retail outlets and provides full compensation cover for all items.
