It opened at £3000 without any bids and was passed.
I then enquired how much it needed to fetch and was informed it needed £6000 plus. Is this cynical marketing? If not, perhaps one of your readers could explain it to me.
Peter Hounslow
Acorn Antiques
Dulverton, Somerset
ATG replies: Legally the reserve needs to be at or below the low estimate.
A bid of £5000 in this case would have secured the item during the auction. But, in the event of an after-sale, it is up to the parties (auctioneer and vendor) to decide at what level they wish to sell.
There is no obligation to sell at the low estimate or the reserve after the auction.
