The star of the show was a stunning collection of antique ceramics dating back to the 18thcentury. Rare teapots sparked demand including lot 197, a colourful c.1770 Staffordshire Wedgwood creamware teapot with ‘Chintz’ pattern by David Rhodes. It hammered at £3,000, double it’s £1,200-£1,500 estimate.
In similar vein, lot 211, an Agate teapot with a blue/brown wash, circa 1750, achieved £2,000 (guide £450-£550) and lot 201, a c.1780 creamware teapot, modelled as ‘Admiral Rodney’, cream ground with pale green highlights, reached £1,800 (guide £650-£750). Other top sellers included lot 213, a Staffordshire Whieldon creamware cow creamer which made £1,350 (guide £800-£1,000); lot 206, a c.1770 century creamware ‘Cauliflower’ teapot which achieved £1,250 (guide £400-£500)and lot293, ac.1810 creamware engine turned jug which hammered at £1,200 – six times its£180-£200guide.
Diverse options also included lot 194, a c.1900 German Mikado Polyphon, a coin-operated floor-standing music box standing 7ft tall. It made £5,400. Buyers also liked lot 50, a ladies Must de Cartier silver cased tank watch which hammered at £1,050 from a £300-£500 guide.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It was an exceptional sale of staggering objects. Family and friends of Mr Rylands watched the drama unfold live online, with some joining us in the saleroom. They were delighted with the results. It was a day of celebration for both our client and buyers all over the world.
“Hansons thrives on curated sales and niche markets and I am proud of what we achieve. We look forward to Part 2 of the Patrick Rylands Collection later this summer.” Important items still to come include one of the best collections of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre automata ever seen.
Mr Rylands acquired 50, mostly by renowned British artist Paul Spooner. One star lot is a Napoleonic, nine-character ‘Spinning Jenny’ bone automaton, made by a French prisoner of war in circa 1800-1810, which could achieve £15,000.
Steve Fulford, Hansons’ toy valuer, said: “Mr Rylands acquired literally thousands of items, from drawers full of small pieces right up to the 7ft Polyphon. Such is the vastness and scarcity of the objects, the collection could eventually achieve more than £100,000.
“Patrick objects to being described as a ‘passionate’ collector. He said he had an ‘interest’ and if there was any skill involved it was in having an eye for a specific item and then learning more about it through research and relationships with dealers. He claims to have no favourites. He bought things because he liked them.
“Whatever spurred him on, family members have great stories of visiting him and being transported into a kind of Aladdin’s cave, a treasure trove from which he would bring item after item to show them, to their great delight, and his.” Patrick, who was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, but later moved to London, said: “I started collecting when I was 20 years old, probably even a little before that.
“One of the very first items I bought was a two-sided tin figure on a rectangular base with one foot in front of the other as if about to bowl a ball. That’s in the auction.
“I suppose I started collecting toys because I was making them for a living but my collection covers many areas. I don’t have any favourites. I liked all the things I collected – that’s why I bought them!
“My method of sourcing them was at first solely based on where to find them cheaply. That led to regular visits to London’s Portobello Road, which was close to where I lived, and early morning visits to Brick Lane markets.
“I built relationships with specific dealers including an American marble dealer. He used to come to my home carrying marbles in a handgun case for protection.
“The phase of my life when I was a designer and a collector is now over and I have moved into the next phase where the focus needs to be on care and comfort. Nevertheless, I have kept a handful of items so maybe I have some favourites after all.”
Steve said: “Such is Patrick’s pedigree as a designer his toys are on permanent display in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood and, at 27, he became the youngest designer to win the Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize for Elegant Design. He has a deep appreciation and understanding of how things are made.
“To offer an insight into his talent, in 1966, aged only 23, he invented Playplax, a colourful interlocking construction toy. It has sold over a million copies worldwide. At the time he was studying at London’s Royal College of Art.
“While working at Hornsea Pottery during his summer holidays, he showed a prototype design to his boss who knew a company that could make it. The rest, as they say, is history.”
After graduating in ceramics from the Royal College of Art in London in 1966 Patrick worked as a freelance designer for iconic toy companies including Creative Playthings, Naef and Ambi Toys, where he worked exclusively as in-house designer for more than 25 years. He created more than 130 popular toddler and baby toys, known for their simplicity of design combined with movement, sound and primary colours. In 1999 he was elected the title of Royal Designer for Industry.
“Steve said: “Ever seen a duck with three miniature ducks that slot inside? Or Taskmaster’s Alex Horne with a Tommy Toot whistle toy? They were down to Patrick.
His designs have brought joy to millions. His collection is delivering joy too. It can be hard to let go but age comes to us all. I hope he’s enjoying seeing his lifetime of treasures delight collectors all over the world.”
Auction: The Patrick Rylands’ Collection Part 1, Curios and Connoisseur Ceramics, sold on May 29, 2024 at Hansons Auctioneers, Derbyshire.
Enquiries:sfulford@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk. Catalogue/bidding:www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
