Thomas Watson History

Our History

Our heritage goes back to 1840 when Thomas Watson, the son of a London auctioneer, established his auction business in Northumberland Street, Darlington.

That business is still very much in existence today having traded from the same premises all these years (although altered a little from time to time!).

The following pages give a mere glimpse of activities over the years and a feel for us and our future.

1844
An early sale in the career of Thomas Watson, who was born in 1806 in London and came to Darlington about 1832. His 'flair for poetry' comes out in the wording in this advert.

1857
The earliest mention of Thomas Watson being associated with our premises today in 1851 and this advert shows him in operation in partnership with Mr Benson in 1857. A partnership we believe lasted till 1860.

1910
Salesroom and Gallery - The Gallery Saleroom, as it is today, came about in 1910/13 following the conveyance of some land to allow the expansion and remodeling of the smaller saleroom.

1915
Woodside - An almost 2000 Lot Sale of the 'Valuable Contents of Woodside, Darlington' held over seven days in the summer of 1915.

1922
Lot 447 - From the catalogue for the sale of 'English and French Furnishings', Streatlam Castle, sold by direction of The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, in September 1922.

1937
Lot 484 - From the Catalogue for the Sale of the 'Valuable Contents of Walworth Castle' in March 1937. Walworth Castle (originally built over 800 years ago) is only five miles from Darlington and is today enjoyed as a hotel.

1941
Langton Grange - A 1200 Lot Sale in the Estate of Mrs K Trotter, deceased, took place in a Marquee over four days in October 1941.

1946
Egglestone Hall - A well-made chest of 3 long and 2 short drawers in finely figured mahogany, was Lot 486, of this two day sale held at Egglestone Hall, Barnard Castle in July 1946.

1953
Prices from a sale that took place in 1953 and the equivalent values today!
206 - Hoover Cleaner: £20 - Todays Price £400
222 - Walnut Bedroom Suite; bedstead, mattress, stool and cupboard: £110 - Todays Price £2,200

1978
Featured on BBC's Look North we held the interesting Content Sale of Moorland, Darlington, which included the well-recorded £2,600 paid for Lot252 for a Musical Automation in the Toy Section.

1990
150 Years! It's not every day that a company gets to celebrate a 150 years of trading and from the original premises. The stamps were commissioned from the world renowned stamp artist Julian Vasarhelyi and featured in all our marketing during the year. We held a celebration fine Art Auction which included entries from as far a field as Dallas, Texas. Lastly, and by no means least, we spent hours and hours, even days and weeks, writing and privately publishing the booklet ' The History of Thomas Watson Auctioneers'

2000
An interesting Collection of Linthorpe Pottery was consigned to us by a local collector who was well pleased seeing the collection realise £33,000.

2009
Today - Still going from strength to strength with some fantastic prices realised at our fortnightly auctions.