History & Services

It was in 1906 that Thomas Hartley moved to Ilkley and purchased the old business of Robinson's Invalid Couches, and set up in business at Tower Buildings, Cowpasture Road, with departments for household furnishings, removals, undertaking and notably an auction saleroom. His youngest son, Douglas, took over this side of the business and in 1929 moved it to Victoria Hall, Little Lane.

It was later, in 1936 that he started with Douglas Smallwood the new firm of Dacre, Son & Hartley, which grew to be the biggest independent firm of chartered surveyors in Yorkshire.

Meanwhile Andrew Hartley, the third generation of the family, had taken on the furniture and fine arts side (after a three year spell at Cambridge University) and ultimately was able to concentrate exclusively on the chattels department and to develop it to one of international status with a turnover of £3 million per year. Since 1989, the saleroom has been run as a totally independent business under the banner of Andrew Hartley Fine Arts with the emphasis on personal service to both vendors and purchasers. Since 2006 the Company has taken on the title of "HARTLEYS".

VICTORIA HALL

Victoria Hall has had a chequered history, being built in 1889 as a concert hall with a swimming pool downstairs. Auction sales started on the ground floor, later moving upstairs.

Two major building programmes in 1988 and 2000 now provide two separate salerooms, reception area, a large secure store and cataloguing room, and a fully computerised sales service.

THE AUCTION SALES SERVICE

There is a sale of some kind at least once a week at Victoria Hall and all goods entered are automatically graded in order to place them in the sale which will produce the best price.

Victoriana and General Sales

The weekly sales of general goods provide an excellent cross section of substantial Victorian and later furniture, china, glass, small silver and plate, and general equipment.

Antique and Fine Art Sales Six or more times per year, the collective antique furniture and fine arts sales are held, with carefully categorised items offered with the back up of generous international advertising, a high quality illustrated catalogue and an active mailing list of specialist dealers and collectors. The sale goods come from a multitude of sources, from single items entered for specific sales to whole or partial house clearances, dealt with on behalf of executors who require the practical expertise necessary to organise such an operation.

A majolica cheese dish by George Jones, 7 ½" high.

A late 18th century mahogany longcase clock, 87 ½'' high.

SPECIALIST SALES Other specialist sales include Toys and Dolls every Spring and Autumn, and Fine Wines before Christmas. Both these events have over the years attracted a regular mailing list of predominantly private buyers that brings considerable specialist enthusiasm to the chosen subject. From time to time, single owner collections of all kinds have appeared with the vehicle of a larger auction sale. This has taken place after careful specific marketing often within the initial involvement of the owner. OTHER SERVICES While auction sales represent the major part of the business, HARTLEYS is also heavily involved in valuation work of every kind. Valuations for sale are carried out at Victoria Hall and at clients' own premises, usually free of charge.

Valuations for probate and for family division are completed sympathetically and discreetly in order that estates can be wound up without delay and with the minimum of duty payable.

Insurance valuations and inventories are also performed economically in order that not only are insurance premiums kept at a realistic level, but also so that should a claim have to be made in the future, the insurance company will be encouraged to pay out the appropriate amount without delay. The right kind of inventory is as important here as the correct valuation and can be updated at reasonable intervals for minimal cost.