Worthing auction mystery deepens

The location of the auction house featured in Golden Years on September 27 has been identified – but debate rumbles on over the reason for the photograph, right.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Oct 2012, 12:00 BST

Auctioneer Paul Campbell was certain the auction was taking place in the building where his firm is now based, in High Street, Worthing.

The picture was dated January, 1978, and the building was then owned by R.H. Ellis and Sons, Mr Campbell’s previous employers. The auctioneer in the picture is Ken Ellis.

But Mr Campbell and a fellow member of staff who used to work with Mr Ellis couldn’t agree on the reason for the phot0.

One theory is that it was taken for the 50th anniversary of the business, which began in 1928.

But it was also thought it could have been taken following redevelopment of the High Street auction house in 1977. This could have been the first sale following the redevelopment.

Read the full story in this week’s Herald & Gazette series.