The Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) celebrated 25 years of the National Association of Goldsmiths’ Registered Valuers scheme with a top class conference at Loughborough in September. Inevitably the theme of the main lectures focussed around silver and delegates were entertained and informed by a cast of speakers with decades of experience in the trade including television favourites, Alistair Dickenson and ceramics expert Eric Knowles. [caption id="attachment_3180" align="alignleft" width="339"] Eric Knowles[/caption] Eric presented a highly entertaining précis of his career as an auctioneer interspersing amusing anecdotes with references to “finds” which clearly demonstrated his wealth of knowledge.  The Conference attracted a record 198 delegates and as usual offered a diversity of informative workshops ranging from highly technical innovations in the gemstone world, through valuing Asian Jewellery to inspecting antique silver. The education was tightly sandwiched between a formal Silver Anniversary dinner on Saturday and a very colourful “bright shirt night”; a tribute to the late Brian Dunn on Sunday night. As ever It was quite a weekend!   [caption id="attachment_3183" align="alignleft" width="336"] Phil Withington &Carla Goodfellow[/caption] SENIOR SAFEGUARD VALUER NOMINATED FOR THE DAVID WILKINS TROPHY Congratulations to Phil Withington, Senior SafeGuard Valuer who was amongst seven nominees for the prestigious David Wilkins Award presented by the IRV. Phil was nominated both by his colleagues and some of the retail stores where he regularly delivers Valuation Days. His supporters nominated him for his professionalism, his knowledge and his helpful attitude. However, Phil was up against hot competition and the final worthy winner of the Award was Jonathan Lambert who has been Chairman of the IRV for the past five years.  [caption id="attachment_3182" align="alignleft" width="298"] Jonathan Lambert[/caption] During this time Jonathan has worked tirelessly to develop the Institute, encourage the development and competence of its members and to promote the professionalism of IRV’s throughout the trade and beyond. Jonathan steps down in June and this Award is formal acknowledgment that he has left the Institute of Valuers in good shape to continue to grow ''IT'S NOT ALL BRUMMAGEM'' Craig O’ Donnell, SafeGuard’s silver specialist and curator of The Birmingham Assay Office Silver Collection, made a very Birmingham biased contribution to the Conference with his workshops entitled “It’s not all Brummagem”. Brummagem was a term spawned during the 18thcentury when Birmingham was associated with producing inferior quality mass produced items such as buckles and buttons. Current day “Brummies“ are justifiably proud of the work that local silversmiths have produced over the last 240 years since The Birmingham Assay Office was founded, and Craig was keen to put the record straight. His talk was illustrated by over twenty beautifully designed and well crafted pieces from The Assay Office Private Collection.  Delegates were able to handle pieces by such illustrious names as Boulton & Fothergill, Nathaniel Mills, the Birmingham Guild of Handicrafts, and many others. After inspecting the pieces at close range the delegates could only agree enthusiastically that “it’s not all Brummagem”. If you would like to arrange a group visit to the silver collection or would like to attend a Public open day contact silver@theassayoffice.co.uk or Tel: 0871 871 6020.

CATEGORIES