One by one, the north-east public lined up with their prized antiques at the Gordon Highlanders Museum yesterday.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, which prevented four of the five Bonham’s representatives from travelling to Aberdeen, the valuation event was deemed a success by museum representatives.
The items examined by auction expert Charles Graham-Campbell included a book dating back to 1618, a “very nice” dressing table, medals, guns and several pieces of jewellery.
Mr Graham-Campbell said later he had been impressed by the number of people who attended the charity occasion for the museum in Viewfield Road, which is currently striving to raise £300,000 during a three-year fundraising drive.
“It’s not every day you come across a 400-year-old book and it was some kind of religious tract,” he said.
“There were lots of lovely pieces and it was a pleasure to meet so many folk braving the conditions and showing support for the event and the museum.
“Some people came in with items which were obviously precious to them and which they had no intention of selling.
“But they all made donations to the appeal and it’s good to see that sort of public-spiritedness. I’ve been here before and it is a wonderful place.”
His words were echoed by James Kennedy, the facility’s hospitality manager, who had been concerned the event might have to be cancelled.
He said: “When you looked at the blizzards and watched the news, it was touch and go, but full credit to Charles for taking on so much of the responsibility and coping with all those who came through the door.
“It was definitely a success and it’s always good when companies like Bonham’s come to the museum. People are fascinated by antique objects and there was no shortage of them.”
Mr Kennedy said that the appeal was moving in the right direction, but stressed the need to keep attracting visitors to the five-star amenity.
“It’s coming up to a year since we launched the campaign and we have raised £150,000, which is obviously good news,” he said.
“We realise the next two years might be a bit more challenging, so we have to keep working hard.”