Buying

Welcome to our Buyer’s Guide. Buying and bidding with Hamilton Square Auctioneers is straightforward whether you choose to attend an auction in person or view our catalogue online and bid remotely.

All Hamilton Square Auctioneers sales are listed on our auction calendar, along with details of forthcoming auctions and viewing days. A fully illustrated catalogue is published online ahead of each sale, and buyers may sign up for email alerts when catalogues go live.

Register to Bid

First-time bidders will be required to complete a registration form before bidding. Registration is quick and can be completed in the following ways:

• Online Bidding: Create an account on your chosen online bidding platform and complete the registration process from home.
• Telephone Bidding: Contact our team directly to register over the phone and complete any necessary verification.
• In-Person Bidding: Visit Hamilton Square Auctioneers to register in person. We recommend registering ahead of sale day where possible, although registration may be completed on the day of the auction if required.
• Please note: You will be required to provide some phot ID as part of the registration process in person at the saleroom. Please bring a photo driving license or your passport and something with proof of your address such as a utility bill/bank statement/council tax bill. I am afraid that there will be no exceptions for this, no ID no registration, it's required by law.

Browse the Catalogue

Our full catalogue of lots to be offered in each auction is available online prior to the sale and may be viewed at any time. In-person viewing is also available for all auctions.

Viewing days are typically held shortly before the auction. Please check our website or contact us directly to confirm viewing times before travelling.

The online catalogue will typically include:

• High-quality images of each lot
• Detailed descriptions
• Estimated values

Condition reports are available on request. We aim to respond to all requests received at least 48 hours prior to the auction date. Requests received after this time may be dealt with at the auctioneer’s discretion on the day of sale.

Ways to Bid

Hamilton Square Auctioneers offers a number of convenient ways to bid, ensuring accessibility for all buyers:

• Live Online Bidding: Bid live online from anywhere in the world. Please note that additional premiums may apply depending on the bidding platform used.
• Commission Bids: Leave a maximum bid with us and our team will bid on your behalf, aiming to secure the lot at the lowest possible price.
• Telephone Bidding: Bid live over the telephone with a member of our team. Advance notice is recommended due to limited availability.
• In-Person Bidding: Attend the auction and bid live in the saleroom.

A buyer’s premium of 25% plus VAT applies to in-person, telephone, and commission bids. Online buyer’s premiums may vary depending on the bidding platform.

Winning a Lot – What Happens Next

When the auctioneer’s hammer falls, the highest bidder enters into a legally binding contract and is responsible for payment and collection of the lot.

Once payment has been received, items must be collected within 5 working days, or shipping arrangements must be made. If bidding via Easy Live Auction, you can ask for a shipping quotation both prior to the sale and after you have successfully bought your lot by following the instructions on the site.

Collections are available Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Items not collected within 5 business days may incur a storage charge of £2.50 per lot per day.