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    News 18 May 2025

    The Corpse that Walked

    James Buchanan avatar

    James BuchananDirector and Specialist

    It was a good day in St. Andrews. We consigned a beautiful Briggs cello – in glorious condition, that I had seen three years before. It is always quite nice to see old friends – in this case, both the client and the cello.

    The eagle-eyed reader will spot that Wednesday’s photograph of my wife, however lovely, was merely a place holder until Harris could brush his hair. We have updated the photograph.While Harris was self-grooming, Sarah and I had made our way down to Edinburgh, ready for our valuation day on Friday. It was a good day in St. Andrews. We consigned a beautiful Briggs cello – in glorious condition, that I had seen three years before. It is always quite nice to see old friends – in this case, both the client and the cello.Those of you who know me might be aware that it is my (entirely healthy) practice of having a post prandial nap. I took great care this time to curl up under the conference table and sank into the sort of sleep you can only have if you have driven nine hours to Scotland the day before.Although it has never happened to me yet, I cherish the idea that one day somebody will wake me up from a nap by breathing warm and supple words into my ear. On this occasion however, I was awoken – abruptly – by three members of hotel staff calling for medical backup. I looked, it appears, more than ordinarily corpse-like.Not a highlight in the way that the Briggs cello was a highlight, but memorable nonetheless.

    You can view our May affordable auction here

    James Buchanan avatar
    James Buchanan
    Director and Specialist

    James is an expert in examining and valuing stringed musical instruments. He has worked for Bonhams, Christies, and was a founding member of Brompton’s.

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