Finding buyers at an auction.
 

Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to find who bought things at an auction. It was in 1840 in Bristol........Yes.....the Ariel one.

I have the prices handwritten beside some items. Now would love to know the names.

I don't think you have to give your name when you buy something at an auction even today.

I think you would probably only find this information in the day books or invoice books of the auction house. Unless it was something very expensive in which case you do sometimes come across a published provenance for that item.

OC

Thanks. I’ll see if I can find the if the auction house is still there.

I’ve been through the Getty Art Provenance site and found some similar named artworks from the century previously, but not the time I’m after.

Beware people……I am back trying to research this. lol

":eek: brace, brace!!" lol

I know the auction was in 1840 and after March when Myles died, but do you have a more exact date? I'm amazed there doesn't seem to be any advertisement for it in the papers.

Sorry, I had to make dinner, eat dinner and clean up. Seems other people in this house only eat here….lol.
The actual catalogue is sitting on my sister in law’s coffee table and she isn’t home. Don’t ask me how I left it there. He dies in March 1840. From memory the auction was in November. I will grab the catalogue from J in the next couple of days. Traffic is horrendous here as we have had severe flooding and half the roads are closed. Sorry, I thought I had it here.

From the free search of newspapers and periodicals on Findmypast: PORT OF BRISTOL.
and Interesting Effects* of the late Miles Ariel, Esq.,deceased, at his late Residence, No. 16, BCKKELEY-SQUABE. Full Particulars will be given in future announcements, and Catalogues. FREEHOLD. TO BE SOLD AUCTION. 8,, Mews. ALEXANDER fr SON, At the House
31 October 1840 - Bristol Times and Mirror - Bristol, Bristol, England

The free search on the British Newspaper Archive site has a slightly different snippet (from the same newspaper edition as above):
PORT OF BRISTOL

... Cellar of CHOICE AND RARE OLD WINES. And an infinite variety of other Valuable and Interesting Effects* of the late Miles Ariel, Esq.,deceased, at his late Residence, No. 16, BCKKELEY-SQUABE. Full Particulars will be given in future announcements, and ...

Back again…….with catalogue this time.
Auction was …
“On Monday 23rd Nov, 1840, and four following days”

The auctioneers were Messrs. Fargus and Son.

You could buy the catalogue for one shilling from their office at 4 Clare St. I presume Bristol.