SNOW scuppered plans for the first quarterly collectors’ sale of the year at Greenslade Taylor Hunt, but the re-scheduled event proved worth the delay.

There was an excellent selling rate of 97.5% as buyers in person, on line and on the phone battled it out for possession of some appealing lots put together as ever under the expert eye of collectables specialist Dr Peter Rixon.

Somerset County Gazette: NOTABLE CELLO: This cello fetched £5,000.

• NOTABLE CELLO: This cello fetched £5,000

The mechanical music and musical instruments section recorded a rich vein of prices. An unlabelled cello commanded the top price of the day at £5,000.

A  Swiss“bells in sight” upright musical box from the late 19th century also interested buyers. A phone bidder muscled out other eager enthusiasts with a decisive £2,470 call.

Somerset County Gazette: DELIGHTFUL: A Swiss “bells in sight” upright musical box was bought for £2,470 at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s recent collectors sale.

• DELIGHTFUL: A Swiss “bells in sight” upright musical box was bought for £2,470 at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s recent collectors sale

Proceedings had begun briskly with the coins section, which saw all lots snapped up. The highest price here was an Elizabeth II gold proof set from 1980 comprising five pounds, two pounds, a sovereign and half sovereign. This realised £2,100.

A strong militaria section included a number of choice lots. A 19th century portrait of a British Army Officer, which featured on the front of the sale catalogue fetched £1,230.

The oil on canvas, of local interest, depicted Charles Jeffreys Watson Allen, son of John Roy Allen, of Lyngford, Taunton.

A portrait of his brother John Edward Allen was bought for £800. Also in this section was a Second World War Royal Air Force Omega stainless steel pilot’s wristwatch. Dated 1942 it sold for £1,170.

Somerset County Gazette: MAD ABOUT THE BEAR: This appealing duo were among a collection of Steiff bears which together were bought for £3,850.

• MAD ABOUT THE BEAR: This appealing duo were among a collection of Steiff bears which together were bought for £3,850

A charming collection of Steiff collectors’ teddy bears sold collectively for £3,850. A Great War collection of silk postcards fetched £3,075.

A 19th Century burr wood sewing box and contents proved another runaway success. A phone bidder beat off stiff opposition from the internet and another phone bidder to claim the attractive piece. It was bought for £1,110.

A comprehensive range of collectables are included in the monthly antiques auctions at Greenslade Taylor Hunt, while the next stand alone collectors sale takes place on Friday, June 8.

If you have items to consign please contact the salerooms on 01823 332525.