The most desirable of all sealed bottles are those that are both named and dated. It is the possibility for geneaological research that fires many collectors. This typical 5½in (24cm) high early 18th century mallet form bottle features the finely impressed seal Trengoff in Cornwell 1704.
It had been acquired on a speculative whim at a local antiques fair a year ago for around £300 and the vendor was content to offer it for sale at Reeman Dansie (20% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on July 31 with a ‘money-back’ estimate of £300-400. Instead, following competition between six phone lines and a bidding battle that ended only at £5200, there will be a substantial profit.