A clock belonging to the much celebrated novelist, poet and screenwriter Laurie Lee, is being auctioned at Wotton Auction Rooms on Tuesday, September 16th.
Lee, who grew up in the picturesque Slad Valley near Stroud, bought the fruitwood-cased bracket clock in the late 1970s. The clock was made by John Taylor of Bath during the 18th century. The clock comes from the personal collection and estate of the famed Gloucestershire writer, whose most notable work includes Cider with Rosie, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and A Moment of War.
The antique has been consigned for sale directly by the family, in which it has been in unbroken ownership following Lee’s passing in 1997. Furthermore, Laurie Lee bought the timepiece from his namesake, ‘Laurie Leigh Antiques’ of London. The clock comes complete with a record of ownership. Lee bought the clock with Charles Thomson insurance, valuation and repair documents, dating back to January/February 1977.
Joseph Trinder, Auctioneer and Managing Director at Wotton Auction Rooms said: “It’s about as good as it gets. It’s a fabulous example with a wonderful story and connection to one of Gloucestershire’s best loved literary figures.
“Speaking personally, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, with its warm remembrances of a Gloucestershire now long gone, and those wonderfully vivid descriptions of old Spanish life, is an absolute favourite of mine. This piece is a wonderfully rare connection to one of our fondest names in Gloucestershire and further afield.”
The clock is fitted with a brass carrying handle and is 42cm high and comes with keys and pendulum. Estimated asking price is £3,000-£5,000.
Laurie Lee’s clock is lot 74 and is just one of many items featured in the Wotton Auction Rooms Quarterly Fine and Curated Sale, which includes fine art, jewellery, silver, wristwatches, fine porcelain, glass, object d’art, decorative arts and fine furniture.
Viewing to the public is Monday, September 15th and Sale Day is on Tuesday, September 16th, from 10am
