The Sting

Storage

On receipt of cleared funds, lots can be collected from 25 Blythe Road during the auction or immediately after its completion.  Thereafter, all purchased lots will be stored at 25 Blythe Road Ltd’s premises.  Please note that collection is BY APPOINTMENT on +44 (0) 207 602 4805.  All lots should be cleared within two months of the auction date, after which they will be transferred to a third party for storage.  A transfer fee of £10 per lot plus all incurred transfer and storage costs due to the third party will be payable prior to release.

25 Blythe Road Ltd’s Authenticity Guarantee

If 25 Blythe Road Ltd sells an item of Property which is later shown to be a “Counterfeit”, subject to the terms below 25 Blythe Road Ltd will rescind the sale and refund the Buyer the total amount paid by the Buyer to 25 Blythe Road Ltd for that Property, up to a maximum of the Purchase Price.

The Guarantee lasts for one (1) year after the date of the relevant auction, is for the benefit of the Buyer only and is non-transferable.

“Counterfeit” means an item of Property that in 25 Blythe Road Ltd’s reasonable opinion is an imitation created with the intent to deceive over the authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source, where the correct description of such matters is not included in the catalogue description for the Property.

Property shall not be considered Counterfeit solely because of any damage and/or restoration and/or modification work (including, but not limited to, recolouring, tooling or repatinating).

Please note that this Guarantee does not apply if either:-

(i)  the catalogue description was in accordance with the generally accepted opinions of scholars and experts at the date of the sale, or the catalogue description indicated that there was a conflict of such opinions; or

(ii)  the only method of establishing at the date of the sale that the item was a Counterfeit would have been by means of processes not then generally available or accepted, unreasonably expensive or impractical; or likely to have caused damage to or loss in value to the Property (in 25 Blythe Road Ltd’s reasonable opinion); or

(iii)  there has been no material loss in value of the Property from its value had it  accorded with its catalogue description.

To claim under this Guarantee, the Buyer must:-

(i)  notify 25 Blythe Road Ltd in writing within one (1) month of receiving any information that causes the Buyer to question the authenticity or attribution of the Property, specifying the lot number, date of the auction at which it was purchased and the reasons why it is believed to be Counterfeit; and

(ii)  return the Property to 25 Blythe Road Ltd in the same condition as at the date of sale and be able to transfer good title in the Property, free from any third party claims arising after the date of the sale.

25 Blythe Road Ltd has discretion to waive any of the above requirements.   25 Blythe Road Ltd may require the Buyer to obtain at the Buyer's cost the reports of two independent and recognised experts in the relevant field and acceptable to 25 Blythe Road Ltd.  25 Blythe Road Ltd shall not be bound by any reports produced by the Buyer, and reserves the right to seek additional expert advice at its own expense.   In the event 25 Blythe Road Ltd decides to rescind the sale under this Guarantee, it may refund to the Buyer the reasonable costs of up to two mutually approved independent expert reports, provided always that the costs of such reports have been approved in advance and in writing by 25 Blythe Road Ltd.

Conditions of Business for Buyers

1.  Introduction

(a)  The contractual relationship of 25 Blythe Road Ltd and Sellers with prospective Buyers is governed by:-

(i)  these Conditions of Business for Buyers;

(ii)  the Conditions of Business for Sellers displayed in the saleroom and available from 25 Blythe Road Ltd;

(iii)  25 Blythe Road Ltd’s Authenticity Guarantee;

(iv)  any additional notices and terms printed in the sale catalogue, in each case as amended by any saleroom notice or auctioneer's announcement.

(b)  As auctioneer, 25 Blythe Road Ltd acts as agent for the Seller.  Occasionally, 25 Blythe Road Ltd may own or have a financial interest in a lot.

2.  Definitions

"Bidder" is any person making, attempting or considering making a bid, including Buyers;

"Buyer" is the person who makes the highest bid or offer accepted by the auctioneer, including a Buyer’s principal when bidding as agent;

"Seller" is the person offering a lot for sale, including their agent, or executors;

“BR” means 25 Blythe Road Ltd, Auctioneers, 25 Blythe Road, London, W14 0PD, company number 7982062.

"Buyer’s Expenses" are any costs or expenses due to 25 Blythe Road Ltd from the Buyer;

"Buyer’s Premium" is the commission payable by the Buyer on the Hammer Price at the rates set out in the Guide for Prospective Buyers;

"Hammer Price" is the highest bid for the Property accepted by the auctioneer at the auction or the post auction sale price;

"Purchase Price" is the Hammer Price plus applicable Buyer’s Premium and Buyer’s Expenses;

"Reserve Price" (where applicable) is the minimum Hammer Price at which the Seller has agreed to sell a lot.

The Buyer’s Premium, Buyer’s Expenses and Hammer Price are subject to VAT, where applicable.

3.  Examination of Lots

(a)  BR’s knowledge of lots is partly dependent on information provided by the Seller and BR is unable to exercise exhaustive due diligence on each lot.  Each lot is available for examination before sale.  Bidders are responsible for carrying out examinations and research before sale to satisfy themselves over the condition of lots and accuracy of descriptions. 

(b)  All oral and/or written information provided to Bidders relating to lots, including descriptions in the catalogue, condition reports or elsewhere are statements of BR’s opinion and not representations of fact.  Estimates may not be relied on as a prediction of the selling price or value of the lot and may be revised from time to time at BR’s absolute discretion.

4.  Exclusions and limitations of liability to Buyers

(a)  BR shall refund the Purchase Price to

the Buyer in circumstances where it deems that the lot is a Counterfeit, subject to the terms of BR’s Authenticity Guarantee.

(b)  Subject to Condition  4(a), neither BR nor the Seller:-

(i)  is liable for any errors or omissions in any oral or written information provided to Bidders by BR, whether negligent or otherwise;

(ii)  gives any guarantee or warranty to Bidders and any implied warranties and conditions are excluded (save in so far as such obligations cannot be excluded by English law), other than the express warranties given by the Seller to the Buyer (for which the Seller is solely responsible) under the Conditions of Business for Sellers;

(iii)  accepts responsibility to Bidders for acts or omissions (whether negligent or otherwise) by BR in connection with the conduct of auctions or for any matter relating to the sale of any lot.

(c)  Without prejudice to Condition 4(b), any claim against BR and/or the Seller by a Bidder is limited to the Purchase Price for the relevant lot.  Neither BR nor the Seller shall be liable for any indirect or consequential losses.

(d)  Nothing in Condition 4 shall exclude or limit the liability of BR or the Seller for death or personal injury caused by the negligent acts or omissions of BR or the Seller.

5.  Bidding at Auction

(a)  BR has absolute discretion to refuse admission to the auction.  Before sale, Bidders must complete a Registration Form and supply such information and references as BR requires.  Bidders are personally liable for their bid and are jointly and severally liable with their principal, if bidding as agent (in which case BR’s prior and express consent must be obtained).

(b)  BR advises Bidders to attend the auction, but BR will endeavour to execute absentee written bids provided that they are, in BR’s opinion, received in sufficient time and in legible form.

(c)  When available, written and telephone bidding is offered as a free service at the Bidder’s risk and subject to BR’s other commitments; BR is therefore not liable for failure to execute such bids.  Telephone bidding may be recorded.

6.  Import, Export and Copyright Restrictions

BR and the Seller make no representations or warranties as to whether any lot is subject to import, export or copyright restrictions.  It is the Buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any copyright clearance or any necessary import, export or other licence required by law, including licences required under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

7.  Conduct of the Auction

(a)  The auctioneer has discretion to refuse bids, withdraw or re-offer lots for sale (including after the fall of the hammer) if (s)he believes that there may be an error or dispute, and may also take such other action as (s)he reasonably deems necessary.

(b)  The auctioneer will commence and advance the bidding in such increments as (s)he considers appropriate and is entitled to place bids on the Seller’s behalf up to the Reserve Price for the lot, where applicable.

(c)  Subject to Condition 7(a), the contract between the Buyer and the Seller is concluded on the striking of the auctioneer's hammer.

(d)  Any post-auction sale of lots shall incorporate these Conditions of Business.

8.  Payment and Collection

(a)  Unless otherwise agreed in advance, payment of the Purchase Price is due in pounds sterling immediately after the auction (the "Payment Date").

(b)  Title in a lot will not pass to the Buyer until BR has received the Purchase Price in cleared funds.  BR will generally not release a lot to a Buyer before payment.  Earlier release shall not affect passing of title or the Buyer's obligation to pay the Purchase Price, as above.

(c)  The refusal of any licence or permit required by law, as outlined in Condition 6, shall not affect the Buyer’s obligation to pay for the lot, as per Condition 8(a).

(d)  The Buyer must arrange collection of lots within 10 working days of the auction.   Purchased lots are at the Buyer's risk from the earlier of (i) collection or (ii) 10 working days after the auction.   Until risk passes, BR will compensate the Buyer for any loss or damage to the lot up to a maximum of the Purchase Price actually paid by the Buyer.  BR’s assumption of risk is subject to the exclusions detailed in Condition 5(d) of the Conditions of Business for Sellers.

(e)  All packing and handling of lots is at the Buyer's risk.  BR will not be liable for any acts or omissions of third party packers or shippers.

9.  Remedies for non-payment

Without prejudice to any rights that the Seller may have, if the Buyer without prior agreement fails to make payment for the lot within 5 working days of the auction, BR may in its sole discretion exercise 1 or more of the following remedies:-

(a)  store the lot at its premises or elsewhere at the Buyer’s sole risk and expense;

(b)  cancel the sale of the lot;

(c)  set off any amounts owed to the Buyer by BR against any amounts owed to BR by the Buyer for the lot;

(d)  reject future bids from the Buyer;

(e)  charge interest at 4% per annum above HSBC Bank plc Base Rate from the Payment Date to the date that the  Purchase Price is received in cleared funds;

(f)  re-sell the lot by auction or privately, with estimates and reserves at BR’s discretion, in which case the Buyer will be liable for any shortfall between the original Purchase Price and the amount achieved on re-sale, including all costs incurred in such re-sale;

(g)  Exercise a lien over any Buyer’s Property in BR’s possession, applying the sale proceeds to any amounts owed by the Buyer to BR.  BR shall give the Buyer 14 days' written notice before exercising such lien;

(h)  commence legal proceedings to recover the Purchase Price for the lot, plus interest and legal costs;

(i)  disclose the Buyer’s details to the Seller to enable the Seller to commence legal proceedings

10.  Failure to collect purchases

(a)  If the Buyer pays the Purchase Price but does not collect the lot within 20 working days of the auction, the lot will be stored at the Buyer's expense and risk at BR’s premises or in independent storage

(b)  If a lot is paid for but uncollected within 6 months of the auction, following 60 days written notice to the Buyer, BR will re-sell the lot by auction or privately, with estimates and reserves at BR’s discretion.  The sale proceeds, less all BR’s costs, will be forfeited unless collected by the Buyer within 2 years of the original auction.

11.  Data Protection

(a)  BR will use information supplied by Bidders or otherwise obtained lawfully by BR for the provision of auction related services, client administration, marketing and as otherwise required by law.

(b)  By agreeing to these Conditions of Business, the Bidder agrees to the processing of their personal information and to the disclosure of such information to third parties world-wide for the purposes outlined in Condition 11(a) and to Sellers as per Condition 9(i). 

12.  Miscellaneous

(a)  All images of lots, catalogue descriptions and all other materials produced by BR are the copyright of BR.

(b)  These Conditions of Business are not assignable by any Buyer without BR’s prior written consent, but are binding on Bidders' successors, assigns and representatives. 

(c)  The materials listed in Condition 1(a) set out the entire agreement between the parties.

(d)  If any part of these Conditions of Business be held unenforceable, the remaining parts shall remain in full force and effect.

(e)  These Conditions of Business shall be interpreted in accordance with English Law, under the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts, in favour of BR.