Multitasking mishaps

Roger Field looks back on the past year's auction highs and lows, and is reminded of the importance of paying full attention when bidding

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IT'S COLD, the nights have drawn right in and last season's fishing is but a fast-fading memory. And, with no imminent shooting to fire me up, I'm left to reflect on 2023's auction triumphs (a few, now scattered around my office/armoury) and my all-too-many failures. Although, that said, too many early-season successes and I'd have no ammunition left for any end-of-season campaigning.

So to recap: top successes – chunky bits from an old Mughal temple [October issue] now mouldering in the garden; tick. A fab 16th-century 'meat cleaver' sword [September issue] gleaming evilly at me from my 'sword wall'; tick.

Plus, a multitasking story that may amuse. Back in May, at Roseberys' Antiquities, Islamic & Indian Arts auction, I half fancied some bits. However, as I was less keen on their estimates, I didn't log on to bid. Nevertheless, I watched proceedings on my computer. One can learn as much about the state of the market from low or failed bidding as from seeing other bits fly.

That was when my phone rang. It was Emily Hauser, my star author with her just-published, The Times Top 10 bestseller Mythica – I am also a literary agent and sell books to publishers. I was now having an important book conversation while realising that some bits I had my eye on were selling at half bottom estimate (others were selling high but...).