Buying

Buying at Auction: our catalogues (both printed and online) provide accurate descriptions of the material for sale, along with appropriate images, to guide you in your search.Lots are listed together with an estimated sale value, or roughly how much they are expected to sell for. results are normally within the range of 80% to 125% of the printed estimate (however, should a particularly rare or desirable item be offered, it may sell for a multiple of the estimate, depending on competition and circumstances0.

Prospective bidders may request additional information or images of any lots. Please request in advance of the sale date, and we will be happy to accommodate where possible.

Viewing of lots: most are illustrated on the Easy Live Auction platform, accessed though our website. To view in person, attend at our premises during the week of sale. Floor auctions may also be viewed at the Hotel on the morning of the sale. For timed Auctions, viewing is available up to the evening of the Sale date. Details are provided in the sale catalogues.

Bidding at Auction: bidders may participate either remotely (absentee bidding), online, or by personal attendance.

- by post, using bid form provided with the catalogue (please mail early, in good time to arrive before the sale)

- by email (again, please, in good time before the sale)

- by phone (we will read back your bids and confirm them to you)

- by fax

- online through the website and Easy Live Auction platform

- in person at the Auction venue (for a floor auction), or at our premises (for a timed Auction). Floor bidders may register to use a bidding paddle (bidder number) which may be raised in the air during the sale, to make your bid.

Absentee bids are handled as though you were present at the sale, and lots are knocked down at one step above the second-highest bid received. For example, on a hypothetical lot estimated value of €200, we receive bids of €200, €220 and €280, the lot will open at €230, or €50 below the maximum, and will only be exercised further if there is floor competition.

Picking lots before the sale: a general recommendation for bidders is to compile a list of lots of interest prior to a sale. Bidders may then assign a maximum amount to bid for each separate lot, according to the level of desirability. It is a good idea to stay within your limit on each item/lot, to avoid disappointment. Very occasionally, you may come across a particularly desirable item, which may necessitate some flexibility, where securing the item becomes a priority.

There are advantages to getting your bids in early, as in the case of equal bids received for the same lot, only the earliest bid received will prevail.

Buying retail: we list much of our retail stock on the Delcampe platform, where you can browse our online shop, and select any items of interest. Please go to https://www.delcampe.net/en_GB/collectables/shop/MacDonnellWhyteLtd

We also welcome wantlists and specialist enquiries. Our exhibition and show stock may be inspected at Stampa and other shows during the year.