A LARGE theatrical figure of Captain Hook complete with parrot on his shoulder sits alongside a fabulous silver Ascot Trophy modelled as Joan of Arc and a 1987 yellow Rolls Royce Silver Spirit in a diverse collection spanning the colourful lifetime of the late Felix Dennis, which will be sold at a three-day auction next week.
Possessions from the 12 homes around the world owned by Dennis, extrovert publisher, planter of trees, poet and successful entrepreneur, have been assembled in 20,000 square foot marquee on his estate in the village of Dorsington, near Stratford-upon-Avon for the auction from Tuesday (September 29) to Thursday (October 1).
Room settings are being recreated in the marquee and spectacular garden statuary and military cannons will adorn the approach and entrance.
The marquee will be open for public viewing from Saturday (September 26) to Monday (September 28) from 10am to 4pm and from 9am on the mornings of the auction.
Jeremy Lamond, fine art director at Halls in Shrewsbury, who are conducting the 2,300-lot auction jointly with Bigwood Fine Art Auctioneers of Stratford-upon-Avon, predicts that it will be the UK’s landmark auction of 2015.
“Estate auctions of this type are few and far between and it’s particularly fitting that it’s being held on Felix’s estate,” he said.
“It’s a hugely exciting and eclectic sale with literally something for everyone.
“There is a delightful mix of antique and modern with 17th and 18th century oak and walnut furniture alongside contemporary designer furniture and objects.”
His description of an eclectic mix is perhaps understated, as there are also sections for tribal art, paintings dating from 19th century to contemporary, maritime, silver, clocks, works of art, carpets, rugs and textiles, porcelain and ceramics, musical instruments, pinball machines and jukeboxes to name but a few.
Cannons and weapon, garden statuary, gym equipment, Segways, musical instruments, wines and spirits and Bonsai trees add to the extensive list of lots, which is attracting international interest due to Dennis’s publishing interests in the United States.
All the proceeds will go to his estate and the major beneficiary is The Heart of England Forest Charity.
In 1989, Dennis had a vision to create a 30,000 acre contiguous forest in the heart of England, from the ancient Forest of Arden to the Vale of Evesham. The one millionth tree was planted around two years ago.
The Felix Dennis Collection reflects the fascinating life of a man who began his working life selling copies of the underground counterculture magazine Oz on London’s Kings Road in 1967 and went on to become a hugely successful publishing entrepreneur with global business interests.
He died at his home in June last year at the age of 67, after a two year battle with throat cancer.
Christopher Ironmonger, director of Bigwood Fine Art Auctioneers, a business colleague of Dennis for over 12 years, said: “The auction will provide an opportunity for the world to appreciate the magnitude of Felix’s collection.”
