Business Details
Trusted Edinburgh Auction House & Valuation Service
Ramsay Cornish is an independent auction house located in Edinburgh's city centre, offering a comprehensive range of auction and valuation services. Our specialist team combines over 100 years of collective experience in the auction industry, delivering expert marketing strategies and professional valuations for both private and commercial clients. We host fortnightly General Homes & Interiors auctions alongside bi-monthly Specialist Antique and Decorators auctions, with all events accessible online for maximum market exposure. Our services include formal valuations for Inheritance Tax, Insurance, and Capital Gains Tax, alongside house clearances and delivery/storage solutions. The business maintains a personal approach through home visits and saleroom consultations, supported by a team of specialists in fields such as fine art, militaria, whisky, and Asian antiques.With a physical presence in Edinburgh and availability across Scotland, we provide discreet professional services tailored to individual client needs. Our auction calendar features themed sales and timed auctions, catering to diverse categories from coins to luxury spirits. The company's expertise extends to online bidding platforms, ensuring competitive commission rates and transparent pricing structures. Established as one of Edinburgh's few multidisciplinary auction houses, we maintain traditional values while embracing digital innovation. Our team's professional backgrounds include prestigious institutions like Sotheby's and Christie's, ensuring authoritative guidance for all consignments.
Services
Fine Art Auctions
Antique Valuations
House Clearances
Inheritance Tax Assessments
Online Bidding
Whisky Auctions
Militaria Sales
Asian Antiques
Timed Auctions
Specialist Cataloguing
Highlights and features
- We offer over 100 years combined auction experience with specialist knowledge
- Our fortnightly general and bi-monthly specialist auctions ensure optimal exposure
- We provide formal valuations compliant with Capital Taxes Office requirements
- Our team includes specialists trained at Sotheby's and Christie's institutions
- We combine traditional auctioneering with modern online bidding platforms
Services
Fine Art Auctions
Our specialist fine art auctions feature paintings, prints, and contemporary works from established and emerging artists. The Edinburgh-based team curates bi-monthly sales with expert cataloguing and global marketing. Recent highlights include works by Jenny Saville and Alberto Morrocco, achieving competitive prices through online and in-room bidding.
Antique Valuations
Professional valuations for probate, insurance, and sale purposes are conducted by experienced specialists. Services include in-home appraisals across Scotland, digital valuations via image submission, and formal reports compliant with tax authority requirements. The team offers free preliminary assessments for potential consignments.
House Clearances
We provide complete property clearance solutions for estates and private clients. This includes valuation of contents, auction preparation, and logistics management for delivery or storage. The service operates across Scotland with discreet handling of valuable and sensitive items.
Online Auctions
Our online auction platform offers global access to fortnightly general sales and specialist events. The system features timed bidding for specific categories like whisky and coins, with transparent commission structures. Online-only sales such as The Collector's Library auction attract international buyers.
Militaria Sales
Specialist militaria auctions handle medals, weapons, and collectables with expert consultation from industry veterans. The Edinburgh team offers dedicated valuations and cataloguing for military history items, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and collector networks.
People
Martin Cornish
Head of Valuations
With over 30 years' experience, Martin trained at Lyon and Turnbull. He specialises in furniture and Oriental art, overseeing valuations with integrity and customer care. His expertise underpins the department's professional approach.
Alexa Cornish
Senior Saleroom Manager
Managing saleroom operations and fine art cataloguing, Alexa brings arts expertise and digital marketing experience. She oversees photography for auctions and manages fortnightly sales logistics from Edinburgh.
Richard Edwards
Senior Cataloguer
A former Sotheby's specialist with legal qualifications, Richard handles European works of art. His Yorkshire auction house experience complements Edinburgh operations, offering knowledgeable service across multiple categories.
Dickie Pavey
Militaria Consultant
Specialising in military antiques since the 1980s, Dickie provides expert valuations for medals and weapons. His collector background ensures authentic assessment of militaria items for auction and private sales.
Mark Noble
Whisky Specialist
With over a decade in luxury spirits, Mark manages whisky auctions and cask management. His industry experience includes brand development roles with major distillers, supporting specialist whisky sales.
Questions
How do I get my items valued for auction?
Contact us via phone or email to arrange a free valuation. Options include in-person assessment at our Edinburgh saleroom, digital evaluation via images, or home visits across Scotland.
What types of auctions do you hold?
We host fortnightly Homes & Interiors auctions, bi-monthly Specialist Antique sales, themed auctions for collections, and timed auctions for specific categories like whisky and coins.
Can I sell items online?
Yes, all our auctions include online bidding through our platform. We also offer online-only sales such as The Collector's Library auction for remote participation.
What valuation services do you provide?
We offer formal valuations for Inheritance Tax, Insurance, Capital Gains Tax, and probate purposes. Services include written reports, digital assessments, and house visit appraisals across Scotland.
How do timed auctions work?
Timed auctions run for set periods with transparent bidding. They work well for categories like whisky and coins, with competitive commission rates and online access for global participants.
Do you handle house clearances?
Yes, we provide complete house clearance services including valuation, logistics, and auction preparation. Our team handles valuable items with care and discretion across Scotland.
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