auctionWORLD

Auctions take place at:

Auction Showrooms & Gallery

Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa

AUCTION WORLD is the result of 6½ decades of dedicated reliable and superior service provided to Kwazulu Natal and the Midlands by the Cannon family. It all started with Dorothy Cannon, the 1st Lady Auction eer of the Union , back in 1942 when during the 2nd World War Dorothy took to the gavel and box, selling Real Estate, Horses and Livestock, Furniture and Antiques.

 

Dorothy (later a member of the Institute of Estate Agents and Auctioneers of South Africa, and a sworn Government Appraisor), proved that it was a career for a young woman with a zeal for acquiring knowledge and an enduring, unfaltering voice that was a glutton for punishment. Before entering with trembling feet into a domain, over which men have held a commanding position, she was a dancing teacher, a dentists nurse, and she also worked for a trust company. It was during the war that Dorothy and her husband, LA (Gun) Cannon, joined up but, unfortunately, he was captured and became a prisoner of war. Dorothy then had the responsibility of bringing up their two sons, John and Patrick.

One of her close personal friends, who had great confidence in what women could achieve, talked Mrs. Cannon into the idea of becoming an auctioneer. The friend took a long time to raise even a glimmer of interest, but finally Dorothy capitulated and said she would try just one sale. If she hated the job, or the sale flopped, she said that never again must her friend try to influence her. Mrs. Cannon, found that, although terror-stricken and tongue-tied the sale did not flop and she quite liked the set-up.

 

This launched her career as an auctioneer on June 1st 1942, as an assistant to Mr. P.H. Smalridge, of Pietermaritzburg. She believed that she was at that time the 1st woman auctioneer in South Africa to have ever sold merchandise by auction, and the 1st woman auctioneer to have sold landed property too. In August 1946 she was notified that she had been made an associate of the Auction eers of Land and Property Agents Association of London England .

 

During the war clothing was scarce and she sold an outfitters stock in town as separate items. The event lasted all day and every article was snapped up. Experience taught her a great deal about good days for different types of goods, and the best times for advertising. One rule is that an auctioneer must know a great deal about everything, particularly the goods or materials that are being sold.

 

Her years on the platform, during which many antiques of exquisite quality, and priceless articles passed through her hands, also revealed many amusing incidents. In the home of a Deceased Estate she came across small bags of money hidden all over the house. Drawers full of shillings were discovered next to a bag of bank notes. In another drawer a bag of half crowns was found tucked away, and tickeys, sixpence and florins, all in little bags were unearthed. Each bag was tied with a knot around the top, and many were found in the furniture. Eventually the furniture and other effects were on auction. Mrs. Cannon happened to mention, as a matter of interest, the tale of the treasure trove. The result was startling. Everything was sold for much more than it was really worth, but bidders were merely hoping for possible sources of extra wealth. Prices were especially high for mattresses.

 

Her son Pat. Cannon a renowned valuer, Government appointed Appraiser, and highly accomplished Auction eer, joined Cannon & Finlay in 1961. Pat took the Cannon name to the forefront of premier auctioneering in Kwazulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding districts.

 

In addition to running and managing the auction department at Cannon's Pat has achieved the title of Colonel from the Missouri Auction School in Kansas, is an Appointed Appraiser by the Minister of Justice, Licensed Auction eer and Estate Agent, Registered Associate Valuer, Member of the South African Council of Valuers, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths.

 

Ross Cannon, Pat's son is the 3rd generation of auctioneers from the Cannon clan to serve the industry and is the resident auctioneer at Auction WORLD. Ross studied engineering and then qualified at Technikon Natal with a National Higher Diploma in Architectural Design. He served the architectural and engineering world for 5 years before furthering his interests in London . Returning to South Africa he joined Cannon and Cannon and ran the furniture, general and vehicle auctions as well as on-site disposal sales. He completed his training as an auctioneer with guidance from Pat and Clide Cannon. Now 5 years down the line he is, like the true Cannon spirit, an accomplished and established auctioneer and manager of auction WORLD.

 

Selling from our 2 generous auction rooms, gallery and showroom in the tranquil suburb of Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg, Auction World, along with Pat and Ross hold over 12 auctions monthly and cover all fields of auctioneering from valuations and advice to collectable small silver, antiques and cottage furniture, industrial equipment and vehicles.

Our "mission" is to provide our clients with constant superior service across the full spectrum of auctioneering, and that this consistency in service be the experience of every client.

 

It truly is a culmination of 58 years of constant auction excellence, and a whole world of auctioneering in one firm, under one roof.