P.F. Windibank

P.F. Windibank, auction house and valuers in Dorking

P.F. Windibank is a family-run auction house and valuation firm established in 1945 by Peter Windibank. Simon, his son, took over the full running of the auction house at the age of 21 and has over thirty years of experience in the sector. The firm presents itself as a well-established service covering the Surrey, Sussex and Greater London areas.

Simon acts as in-house auctioneer and also carries out valuations on a wide variety of items, which can be brought to the showroom or valued through house visits. The company also considers buying items for cash when the valuer deems it appropriate. In the showroom's customer service, he is assisted by Helen and Vivien.

General auctions and timed auctions

The house's activity is structured around two formats. On the one hand, it holds eight general auctions a year, which accept antiques and good quality items subject to valuation. On the other, it organises eight timed auctions annually, in an exclusively online format, designed to sell items that would not normally be included in the general auction.

In the timed auctions, the customer can choose to deposit the item with the house or, especially in the case of bulky items, keep it and provide the company with the corresponding photograph and description. For lots that do not sell in either the general auction or the timed auction, there is a subsequent after-sale service: the firm's online shop, where they are listed at a slightly reduced buy-it-now price.

Probate valuation service

The company offers a full probate valuation service and advises on how to clear a property. The website allows you to request a valuation through a specific form and details the procedure and applicable fees.

Practical information for buyers and sellers

The site brings together selling and buying guides, instructions on how to bid, information on fees, postage and collection, an auction calendar and an archive of previous auctions. The next online auction announced at the time of analysis was scheduled for Saturday 17 October, with viewing days beforehand on Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 September at the Dorking showroom.

Highlights from previous auctions

Among the results published by the house are lots of art, antiques, jewellery and collectables:

• A limited edition print by L. S. Lowry, 'Steps at Wick', with certificate and signed in pencil, numbered 78/95, sold for £450.
• A pair of Chinese thin-necked two-handled vases, with polychrome decoration of birds, trees and landscape, 37 cm high, sold for £390.
• An L'Effleurt scent bottle by René Lalique (French, 1860-1945), designed for Coty in 1912, sold for £820.
• A pair of Leica 10x40 BN Trinovid binoculars, with case, sold for £280.
• A Continental porcelain group with three figures playing instruments, 41 cm wide and 31 cm high, sold for £230.
• A large Chinese blue and white charger from the Qianlong period (18th-19th centuries) with dragon, floral and scroll decoration, 51 cm diameter, sold for £32,000.
• An 1880 Victorian gold sovereign mounted as a removable pendant in 9 carat gold, with chain and safety clasp, sold for £560.
• A Victorian silver card case by Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham 1849, with engraved decoration and central promenade scene, sold for £480.
• An open-faced pocket watch by P. Adams (Wolverhampton) in 18 carat gold, with centre seconds and white enamel dial, in leather case, sold for £2,100.
• An Oriental thin-necked vase with polychrome decoration of figures, landscape and inscription, 20 cm high, sold for £2,000.

Location and contact

Hut 3 Rear of the Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SG · Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 17:00. Saturday and Sunday: closed.