MADAM – In Letters, ATG No 2390 Nicholas Oddy raises the question of the origin of the term ‘white-glove sale’ (an auction in which all lots are sold).
Coincidentally, a recent Stanley Gibbons advertisement in ATG, informed us that 100% of lots were sold across two auctions (ATG No 2387, page 7): “On March 26th the inaugural Signature Auction along with its subsequent auction managed a tremendous 100% of lots sold.”
In such cases – effectively involving aftersales – does the auctioneer belatedly receive a pair of white gloves? I think we should be told.