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Terms & Conditions
 Important Information for Buyers
All lots are offered subject to Matthew Barton Ltd’s Condition’s of
Business and to reserves. The Conditions of Business for Buyers, are
published at the end of the printed catalogue.
Estimates are published as a guide only and are subject to review. The
actual hammer price of a lot may well be higher or lower than the range
of figures given and there are no fixed “starting prices”.
A Buyer’s premium of 20% is applicable to all lots in this sale. The
Buyer’s Premium is subject to VAT at the standard rate (currently 17.5%).
Unless otherwise indicated lots are offered for sale under the
auctioneer's margin scheme and VAT on the Buyer’s Premium is payable by
all buyers.
Lots marked with the symbol ‡ have been imported from outside the
European Union (EU) to be sold at auction under Temporary Import Rules.
When released to buyers within the EU, including the UK, the buyer will
become the importer and must pay VAT at the rate of 5% on the hammer
price and 17.5% on the Buyer’s premium. Buyers outside the EU will
normally be eligible to obtain a refund in respect of temporary import
VAT, upon satisfactory documentary evidence of exportation. Further
information on this matter is available on request.
Matthew Barton Ltd will be pleased to execute bids on behalf of those
clients unable to attend the sale in person, subject to our Conditions
of Business. All bids must be signed and submitted in writing in good
time and lots will always be purchased as cheaply as possible (depending
on any other bids received, reserves and competition in the saleroom).
This service is offered free of charge.
Matthew Barton Ltd can supply quotations for shipping of purchases,
including transit insurance and VAT refund administration fees, and will
assist in the application for any export licenses which may be required.
Buyers are reminded that it is their responsibility to comply with UK
export regulations and with any local import requirements.
Payment
Payment is due in sterling at the conclusion of the sale and before
purchases can be released. Please note that we require seven days to
clear sterling cheques unless special arrangements have been made in
advance of the sale. We are pleased to accept major credit cards
(regrettably we are unable to accept American Express), for which a
surcharge will be made of 3% of the transaction total. There is no
charge for payments made by debit card. Cash and Credit card payments
above £6,000 will not be accepted without prior arrangement.
Electronic transfers may be sent directly to our Bank:
HSBC Bank Plc
38 High Street
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1DG
IBAN No: GB53MIDL40190491814001
BIC: MIDLGB2128K
Sort Code: 40-19-04
Account No: 91814001
Account Name: Matthew Barton Ltd
VAT Registration Number: 972118224
Storage
On receipt of cleared funds, lots can be collected from the Saleroom
during the auction or immediately after its completion. Thereafter, all
purchased lots will be stored at Matthew Barton Ltd’s premises for a
period of one month prior to transfer to
third party for storage. A transfer fee of £10 per lot plus all
incurred transfer and storage costs due to the third party will be
payable prior to release.
Please note that collection is BY APPOINTMENT on +44 (0) 20 7806 5545.
Matthew Barton Ltd’s Authenticity
Guarantee
If Matthew Barton Ltd sells an item of Property which is later shown to
be a “Counterfeit”, subject to the terms below Matthew Barton Ltd will
rescind the sale and refund the Buyer the total amount paid by the Buyer
to Matthew Barton Ltd for that Property, up to a maximum of the Purchase
Price.
The Guarantee lasts for one (1) year after the date of the relevant
auction, is for the benefit of the Buyer only and is non-transferable.
“Counterfeit” means an item of Property that in Matthew Barton Ltd’s
reasonable opinion is an imitation created with the intent to deceive
over the authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source, where
the correct description of such matters is not included in the catalogue
description for the Property.
Property shall not be considered Counterfeit solely because of any
damage and/or restoration and/or modification work (including, but not
limited to, recolouring,
tooling or repatinating).
Please note that this Guarantee does not apply if either:-
(i) the catalogue description was in accordance with the generally
accepted opinions of scholars and experts at the date of the sale, or
the catalogue description indicated that there was a conflict of such
opinions; or
(ii) the only method of establishing at the date of the sale that the
item was a Counterfeit would have been by means of processes not then
generally available or accepted, unreasonably expensive or impractical;
or likely to have caused damage to or loss in value to the Property (in
Matthew Barton Ltd’s reasonable opinion); or
(iii) there has been no material loss in value of the Property from its
value had it accorded with
its catalogue description.
To claim under this Guarantee, the Buyer must:-
(i) notify Matthew Barton Ltd in writing within one (1) month of
receiving any information that causes the Buyer to question the
authenticity or attribution of the Property, specifying the lot number,
date of the auction at which it was purchased and the reasons why it is
believed to be Counterfeit; and
(ii) return the Property to Matthew Barton Ltd in the same condition as
at the date of sale and be able to transfer good title in the Property,
free from any third party claims arising after the date of the sale.
Matthew Barton Ltd has discretion to waive any of the above
requirements. Matthew
Barton Ltd may require the Buyer to obtain at the Buyer's cost the
reports of two independent and recognised experts in the relevant field
and acceptable to Matthew Barton Ltd Matthew Barton Ltd shall not be
bound by any reports produced by the Buyer, and reserves the right to
seek additional expert advice at its own expense.
In the event Matthew Barton Ltd decides to rescind the sale under
this Guarantee, it may refund to the Buyer the reasonable costs of up to
two mutually approved independent expert reports, provided always that
the costs of such reports have been approved in advance and in writing
by Matthew Barton Ltd.
Conditions
of Business for Buyers
1. Introduction
(a) The contractual relationship of Matthew Barton Ltd and Sellers with
prospective Buyers is governed by:-
(i) these Conditions of Business for Buyers;
(ii) the Conditions of Business for Sellers displayed in the saleroom
and available from Matthew Barton Ltd;
(iii) Matthew Barton Ltd’s Authenticity Guarantee;
(iv) any additional notices and terms printed in the sale catalogue, in
each case as amended by any saleroom notice or auctioneer's
announcement.
(b) As auctioneer, Matthew Barton Ltd acts as agent for the Seller.
Occasionally, Matthew Barton Ltd
may own or have a financial interest in a lot.
2. Definitions
"Bidder" is any person making, attempting or considering making a bid,
including Buyers;
"Buyer" is the person who makes the highest bid or offer accepted by the
auctioneer, including a Buyer’s principal when bidding as agent;
"Seller" is the person offering a lot for sale, including their agent,
or executors;
"MBL"
means Matthew Barton Ltd, Auctioneers, 25 Blythe Road, London, W14 0PD,
company number 06504692.
"Buyer’s Expenses" are any costs or expenses due to Matthew Barton Ltd
from the Buyer;
"Buyer’s Premium" is the commission payable by the Buyer on the Hammer
Price at the rates set out in the Guide for Prospective Buyers;
"Hammer Price" is the highest bid for the Property accepted by the
auctioneer at the auction or the post auction sale price;
"Purchase Price" is the Hammer Price plus applicable Buyer’s Premium and
Buyer’s Expenses;
"Reserve Price" (where applicable) is the minimum Hammer Price at which
the Seller has agreed to sell a lot.
The Buyer’s Premium, Buyer’s Expenses and Hammer Price are subject to
VAT, where applicable.
3. Examination of Lots
(a) MBL’s knowledge of lots is partly dependent on information provided
by the Seller and MBL is unable to exercise exhaustive due diligence on
each lot. Each lot is available for examination before sale. Bidders are
responsible for carrying out examinations and research before sale to
satisfy themselves over the condition of lots and accuracy of
descriptions.
(b) All oral and/or written information provided to Bidders relating to
lots, including descriptions in the catalogue, condition reports or
elsewhere are statements of MBL’s opinion and not representations of
fact. Estimates may not be relied on as a prediction of the selling
price or value of the lot and may be revised from time to time at MBL’s
absolute discretion.
4. Exclusions and limitations of liability to Buyers
(a) MBL shall refund the Purchase Price to the Buyer in circumstances
where it deems that the lot is a Counterfeit, subject to the terms of
MBL’s Authenticity Guarantee.
(b) Subject to Condition
4(a), neither MBL nor the Seller:-
(i) is liable for any errors or omissions in any oral or written
information provided to Bidders by MBL, whether negligent or otherwise;
(ii) gives any guarantee or warranty to Bidders and any implied
warranties and conditions are excluded (save in so far as such
obligations cannot be excluded by English law), other than the express
warranties given by the Seller to the Buyer (for which the Seller is
solely responsible) under the Conditions of Business for Sellers;
(iii) accepts responsibility to Bidders for acts or omissions (whether
negligent or otherwise) by MBL in connection with the conduct of
auctions or for any matter relating to the sale of any lot.
(c) Without prejudice to Condition 4(b), any claim against MBL and/ or
the Seller by a Bidder is limited to the Purchase Price for the relevant
lot. Neither MBL nor the Seller shall be liable for any indirect or
consequential losses.
(d) Nothing in Condition 4 shall exclude or limit the liability of MBL
or the Seller for death or personal injury caused by the negligent acts
or omissions of MBL or the Seller.
5. Bidding at Auction
(a) MBL has absolute discretion to refuse admission to the auction.
Before sale, Bidders must complete a Registration Form and supply such
information and references as MBL requires. Bidders are personally
liable for their bid and are jointly and severally liable with their
principal, if bidding as agent (in which case MBL’s prior and express
consent must be obtained).
(b) MBL advises Bidders to attend the auction, but MBL will endeavour to
execute absentee written bids provided that they are, in MBL’s opinion,
received in sufficient time and in legible form.
(c) When available, written and telephone bidding is offered as a free
service at the Bidder’s risk and subject to MBL’s other commitments; MBL
is therefore not liable for failure to execute such bids. Telephone
bidding may be recorded.
6. Import, Export and Copyright
Restrictions MBL and the Seller make no representations or warranties as to whether
any lot is subject to import, export or copyright restrictions. It is
the Buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any copyright clearance or any
necessary import, export or other licence required by law, including
licenses required under the Convention on the International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES).
7. Conduct of the Auction
(a) The auctioneer has discretion to refuse bids, withdraw or re-offer
lots for sale (including after the fall of the hammer) if (s)he believes
that there may be an error or dispute, and may also take such other
action as (s)he reasonably deems necessary.
(b) The auctioneer will commence and advance the bidding in such
increments as (s)he
considers appropriate and is entitled to place bids on the Seller’s
behalf up to the Reserve Price for the lot, where applicable.
(c) Subject to Condition 7(a), the contract between the Buyer and the
Seller is concluded on the striking of the auctioneer's hammer.
(d) Any post-auction sale of lots shall incorporate these Conditions of
Business.
8. Payment and Collection
(a) Unless otherwise agreed in advance, payment of the Purchase Price is
due in pounds sterling immediately after the auction (the "Payment
Date").
(b) Title in a lot will not pass to the Buyer until MBL has received the
Purchase Price in cleared funds. MBL will generally not release a lot to
a Buyer before payment. Earlier release shall not affect passing of
title or the Buyer's obligation to pay the Purchase Price, as above.
(c) The refusal of any licence or permit required by law, as outlined in
Condition 6, shall not affect the Buyer’s obligation to pay for the lot,
as per Condition 8(a).
(d) The Buyer must arrange collection of lots within 10 working days of
the auction. Purchased lots
are at the Buyer's risk from the earlier of
(i) collection or
(ii) 10 working days after the auction.
Until risk passes, MBL will compensate the Buyer for any loss or
damage to the lot up to a maximum of the Purchase Price actually paid by
the Buyer. MBL’s assumption of risk is subject to the exclusions
detailed in Condition 5(d) of the Conditions of Business for Sellers.
(e) All packing and handling of lots is at the Buyer's risk. MBL will
not be liable for any acts or omissions of third party packers or
shippers.
9. Remedies for non-payment
Without prejudice to any rights that the Seller may have, if the Buyer
without prior agreement fails to make payment for the lot within 5
working days of the auction, MBL may in its sole discretion exercise 1
or more of the following remedies:-
(a) store the lot at its premises or elsewhere at the Buyer’s sole risk
and expense;
(b) cancel the sale of the lot;
(c) set off any amounts owed to the Buyer by MBL against any amounts
owed to MBL by the Buyer for the lot;
(d) reject future bids from the Buyer;
(e) charge interest at 4% per annum above HSBC Bank plc Base Rate from
the Payment Date to the date that the Purchase Price is received in
cleared funds;
(f) re-sell the lot by auction or privately, with estimates and reserves
at MBL’s discretion, in which case the Buyer will be liable for any
shortfall between the original Purchase Price and the amount achieved on
re-sale, including all costs incurred in such re-sale;
(g) Exercise a lien over any Buyer’s Property in MBL’s possession,
applying the sale proceeds to any amounts owed by the Buyer to MBL. MBL
shall give the Buyer 14 days written notice before exercising such lien;
(h) commence legal proceedings to recover the Purchase Price for the
lot, plus interest and legal costs;
(i) disclose the Buyer’s details to the Seller to enable the Seller to
commence legal proceedings
10. Failure to collect purchases
(a) If the Buyer pays the Purchase Price but does not collect the lot
within 20 working days of the auction, the lot will be stored at the
Buyer's expense and risk at MBL’s premises or in independent storage
(b) If a lot is paid for but uncollected within 6 months of the auction,
following 60 days written notice to the Buyer, MBL will re-sell the lot
by auction or privately, with estimates and reserves at MBL’s
discretion. The sale proceeds, less all MBL’s costs, will be forfeited
unless collected by the Buyer within 2 years of the original auction.
11. Data Protection
(a) MBL will use information supplied by Bidders or otherwise obtained
lawfully by MBL for the provision of auction related services, client
administration, marketing and as otherwise required by law.
(b) By agreeing to these Conditions of Business, the Bidder agrees to
the processing of their personal information and to the disclosure of
such information to third parties world-wide for the purposes outlined
in Condition 11(a) and to Sellers as per Condition 9(i).
12. Miscellaneous
(a) All images of lots, catalogue descriptions and all other materials
produced by MBL are the copyright of MBL.
(b) These Conditions of Business are not assignable by any Buyer without
MBL’s prior written consent, but are binding on Bidders' successors,
assigns and representatives.
(c) The materials listed in Condition 1(a) set out the entire agreement
between the parties.
(d) If any part of these Conditions of Business be held unenforceable,
the remaining parts shall remain in full force and effect.
(e) These Conditions of Business shall be interpreted in accordance with
English Law, under the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts, in
favour of MBL.
Conditions of Business for
Sellers
The Conditions of Business for Sellers govern all aspects of the
consignment, report, holding and sale of Property by Matthew Barton Ltd
together with Matthew Barton Ltd’s Authenticity Guarantee and the
Conditions of Business for Buyers, as printed in sale catalogues and
available from Matthew Barton Ltd upon request. Matthew Barton Ltd act
as agent for Sellers.
Conditions of Business for Buyers and/or Sellers may be amended by
additional terms printed in the sale catalogue and/or by notices posted
up in the saleroom or announced by the auctioneer.
Definitions
"Seller" is the owner of the Property, their agent, executors or the
person in possession of the Property (as appropriate).
"MBL" means Matthew Barton Limited, Auctioneers, 25 Blythe Road, London
W14 0PD, 06504692.
"Seller’s Commission" is the commission Matthew Barton Ltd charges
Sellers of Property.
"Expenses" are Matthew Barton Ltd’s expenses, fees and charges relating
to the Property, including legal expenses, insurance charges,
illustration fees, administration fees, customs duties, shipping and
packing costs, tests, searches and enquiries.
"Buyer’s Premium" is the commission Matthew Barton Ltd charges Buyers of
Property.
"Hammer Price" is the highest bid for the Property accepted by the
auctioneer.
"Reserve Price" is the minimum Hammer Price at which the Property may be
sold, as agreed between the Seller and Matthew Barton Ltd From time to
time, Matthew Barton Ltd may agree with the Seller to offer a collection
of Property for a Global Reserve Price and/or agree an auctioneer’s
discretion to reduce the Reserve Price by 10% or to offer Property
without a Reserve Price.
"Net Sale Proceeds" are the proceeds of sale actually received by
Matthew Barton Ltd, less Seller’s Commission, Buyer’s Premium and
Expenses.
The Seller’s Commission, Hammer Price, Buyer’s Premium and all Expenses
are subject to VAT, where applicable.
1. Seller’s Warranties
(a) The Seller warrants to MBL and the Buyer that:-
(i) the Seller is the owner of the Property or is properly authorised to
sell it;
(ii) the Seller shall transfer possession and good title in the Property
to the Buyer, free from any third party claims;
(iii) the Seller has provided all relevant information about the
ownership, condition, authenticity, attribution, provenance and
import/export history of the Property;
(iv) there are no copyright or other restrictions on MBL’s rights to
produce and publish images of the Property.
(b) The Seller will indemnify MBL, its directors,
employees, officers and Buyers of the Property against all losses and
damages resulting from a breach of any of these warranties or other
Conditions of Business. MBL may cancel, rescind or postpone sales of
Property where it reasonably believes that there has been or may be a
breach of these warranties or any other Conditions of Business by the
Seller.
2. Sale Preparation
(a) MBL shall have sole discretion as to how Property is described,
illustrated and marketed, and the date, venue and conduct of the sale.
(b) All oral or written estimates, appraisals and reports are statements
of opinion only, may not be relied upon as a prediction of the sale
price and may be revised from time to time by MBL.
(c) MBL may, without
obligation, consult with third party experts and carry out such other
research for the Property as it deems necessary. MBL may transfer possession of the Property to such third
parties and shall not be responsible for the acts and omissions of such
third parties.
(d) MBL shall have the absolute right to produce
and publish images of any Property consigned for sale and will
retain copyright in any such images it produces.
(e) MBL will charge a Buyer’s Premium on the sale of the Property at
MBL’s standard rates. MBL
reserves the right to pay out of its commissions a fee to any third
party introducing Sellers or Property to it.
(f) Sellers are prohibited from bidding on their own Property. If a
Seller offers the Hammer Price for their Property, MBL may charge the
Seller the Seller’s Commission, Buyer’s Premium and Expenses relating to
that Property.
3.
Withdrawal of Property
(a) If the Seller withdraws any Property from sale after their written
agreement to sell it, MBL may charge the Seller 50% of the Seller’s
Commission and Buyer’s Premium MBL would have received had the Property
sold at its mid estimate, plus all Expenses (the “Withdrawal Fee”).
(b) MBL may withdraw any
Property from sale without liability for any of the following reasons:-
if
(i) it reasonably believes that the authenticity or attribution is
questionable;
(ii) it reasonably believes that the Seller’s Warranties or other
Conditions of Business have been breached;
(iii) there is a competing ownership claim or lien over the Property;
(iv) the Property does not have all licences and permits required by
law, including those
required under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES);
(v) the condition of the Property has deteriorated since consignment;
(vi) the auction has been postponed for any reason.
(c) If the Property is withdrawn for any of reasons 3(b)(ii), or (iii)
the Seller shall pay the Withdrawal Fee, as per Condition 3(a). If
withdrawn for any other reason, the Property shall be returned to the
Seller at the Seller’s expense.
4. Exclusion
of Liability
(a) MBL shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in any written
or oral information provided to Sellers or for acts or omissions
relating to the conduct of the auction or any other matter relating to
the sale of Property, whether negligent or otherwise, subject always to
Condition 4(c).
(b) Without prejudice to Condition 4(a), any claim against MBL shall be
limited to the Net Sale Proceeds for the relevant Property. MBL shall
not in any circumstances be liable for any indirect or consequential
losses.
(c) MBL’s liability to the Seller in respect of death or personal injury
caused by MBL’s negligent acts or omissions shall not be excluded or
limited.
5. Loss or
Damage to Property
(a) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, MBL will assume the risk of loss
or damage to Property received from the Seller until:-
(i) risk passes to the Buyer; or
(ii) if unsold, 60 days after the sale or when released to the Seller
(whichever is earlier); or
(iii) 6 months after receipt of the Property by MBL, if not consigned
for sale.
(b) MBL shall charge a premium of 1% of:-
(i) the Hammer Price of the Property, if sold;
(ii) the Reserve Price of the Property or as otherwise stated on the
Property Receipt, if unsold; or
(iii) the mid estimate, if not offered for sale (or MBL’s reasonable
estimate of auction value where there are no pre-sale estimates).
(c) If damage or loss occurs whilst the Property is at the risk of MBL,
the maximum amount of MBL’s liability shall be as set out in Condition 5
(b) (i)- (iii), as applicable, less Seller’s Commission and Expenses.
(d) MBL will not be liable
for any loss or damage caused by:-
(i) normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration or inherent vice or
defect;
(ii) errors in processing;
(iii) war or radioactive contamination;
(iv) lot is too fragile or not in a fit state to be reasonably handled
or stored.
6. Post
Auction Sales
If any Property fails to sell at auction,
MBL shall be entitled for a period of 35 days after the auction
to sell the Property privately for no less than the
Reserve Price (unless otherwise agreed with the Seller) and on
the terms of these Conditions of Business.
7. Payment
of Net Sale Proceeds
(a) Subject in all cases to prior receipt of cleared funds by MBL and
subject to rescission of the sale under Condition 9, 35 days after the
sale date or 5 working days after receipt of cleared funds from the
Buyer (whichever is later),
MBL shall send the Seller
the Net Sale Proceeds in pounds sterling, less any other amounts owed by
the Seller to MBL.
(b) MBL shall not be
obliged to check the ability of Buyers to pay for Property and shall
have absolute discretion whether to use any of the rights and remedies
against defaulting Buyers contained in the Conditions of Business for
Buyers.
8.
Unsold/Uncollected Property
(a) MBL will advise Sellers whether or not their Property has sold.
Unsold Property may either:-
(i) be reconsigned for sale; or
(ii) collected by the Seller, in which case a Reduced Commission of 50%
of the Seller’s Commission may be payable calculated as if the Property
sold for its Reserve Price (where applicable), plus relevant Expenses.
(b) If the Seller does not reconsign or collect the Property within 60
days of the auction as per Condition 8(a) (i) or (ii) above, MBL shall
be released from any duty of bailment and may in its sole discretion be
entitled to:-
(i) transfer the Property to independent storage at the Seller’s
expense; or
(ii) re-offer the Property at auction for
no less than 50% of the original Reserve Price agreed with the
Seller (where applicable), and subject to the Seller’s Commission on the
re-sale plus all relevant Expenses.
(c) If the Seller deposits the Property with MBL for more than 1 year
and neither collects or consigns it for sale, MBL shall be entitled to
sell such Property at a MBL sale or elsewhere, with estimates and
reserves at MBL’s discretion, after giving the Seller 60 days written
notice sent to the Seller’s last known address.
9.
Rescission of Sales
MBL may rescind the sale where it reasonably believes that the Property
is Counterfeit, as defined by MBL’s Guarantee of Authenticity, in which
case MBL shall send the Seller a notice of such rescission. The Seller
agrees to return to MBL the Net Sale Proceeds received from the sale of
such Property together with any additional Expenses incurred by MBL. MBL
will return the Property to the Seller upon receipt of the Net Sale
Proceeds and Expenses, unless prevented from doing so for reasons beyond
MBL’s control.
10. Data
Protection
(a) MBL will use information supplied by
Sellers or otherwise obtained lawfully by MBL for the provision
of auction related services, client administration, marketing and as
otherwise required by law.
(b) By agreeing to these Conditions of Business, the Seller agrees to
the processing of their personal information and to the disclosure of
such information to third parties world-wide for the purposes outlined
in Condition 10(a).
11.
Miscellaneous
(a) If any part of these Conditions of Business be held unenforceable,
the remaining parts shall remain in full force and effect.
(b)
These Conditions of Business shall be interpreted in accordance with
English Law under the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts, in
favour of MBL
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