Neil Lanham shares auctioneer memories in Haverhill return

Neil Lanham to Discuss His Career as an Auctioneer

A man who began his career in Haverhill and spent over 40 years living in the area is returning to share his experiences as an auctioneer.

Neil Lanham will be at Haverhill Library on January 14 to give two talks about his book, ‘I Bid You Farewell – The Life of an Auctioneer.’ The book details his work in Haverhill and Clare over six decades.

Now just weeks away from his 88th birthday, Neil arrived in Haverhill in 1961 to work as a chartered surveyor for estate agent John Boardman, whom he met at Burton Cottage, where the library now stands.

Career Development

After Mr. Boardman’s death the following year, Neil bought the business and expanded it to four estate agents, which also held auctions.

“I was ignorant and naive and I made lots of mistakes,” said Neil. “But I was down there until 9 o’clock lots of nights. Enthusiasm was the winner.”

He later sold the estate agency side and focused on Boardman Fine Art Auctioneers. He achieved over 100 world record prices for fine art at auction, all at Clare Town Hall.

Motivation for Writing

Neil was motivated to write the book to explain how he achieved such highs, especially while competing against big London auctioneers.

Neil lived for over 40 years in Helions Bumpstead but moved to Botesdale, near Diss, around 2010 after his wife Hazel died. He now resides in Hartest.

Stories from the Auction Block

The talk will include many stories from Neil’s life as an auctioneer. One story involves selling an 18th-century Boulle Commode made for King Louis XIV for £33,000, well above its £20,000 reserve price.

He recalls a Frenchman rushing outside to a telephone box to call their client overseas because, as Neil noted, “We didn’t even have a phone in the hall.”

This sale occurred long before mobile phones and computers were common.

Notable Sales

Neil also sold a set of 16C Chippendale gothic chairs from Tissington Hall, Derbyshire, for £85,000 to a New York buyer using his one telephone line at the same venue.

He emphasized that knowing the past was key to his successful sales.

Another memorable sale came after a call from a Cambridge University college about valuing an oak cupboard. It originated from Indonesia during the Dutch colonization and sold for £32,000, above its £17,500 listing price.

Neil celebrated this success by buying six bottles of Champagne for his team.

Key Message

If the book has one key message, Neil said it would be: “Do what is right, come what may. That’s the message I would give to people. Enthusiasm is also important.”

The talks will take place from 10 am to 11 am and 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Neil will speak to the library’s Top Time groups of older people.