The Small Print That Bites: Decoding Auction Catalogues Before You Bid
A catalogue entry can sound like a compliment and mean something else entirely. 'A George III mahogany tea table, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, a/f, sold with all faults' is not a promise of Chippendale. It is a carefully worded contract. In 2026, with so much bidding done online and so little viewing done in person, the small print is often the only condition report you will get.
This is not a reason to avoid auctions. It is a reason to learn the language. The catalogue is not trying to trick you, but it is trying to protect the saleroom. Once you know what the phrases mean, you can ask better questions, price the risk properly, and spot the lots where honest condition issues sit alongside genuine quality.
Condition Codes: AF, ATF and Friends
'A/F' is one of the most common abbreviations in UK salerooms. It generally means 'all faults' or 'as found', and it is a warning that the lot has condition issues. You may also see 'ATF', 'WAF' or the full phrase 'sold with all faults'. 'Sold as seen' means exactly that. 'As found' suggests the piece has not been cleaned or restored. 'GWO' means 'good working order', usually for clocks or mechanical items. 'FWO' means 'fair working order'. 'Spares or repair' tells you the item does not work and is being sold for parts.
None of these phrases mean the lot is worthless. A/F can be a route to a good piece at a lower price, provided you have seen the damage or asked about it. The danger is assuming that A/F means a small chip when it might mean a missing leg, a replaced base or active woodworm.
Attribution: 'In the Manner Of' vs 'After' vs 'Possibly By'
Attribution language is where catalogues become interesting. 'In the manner of' means the piece is in the style of the named maker, not by them. 'After' usually means a copy of a known work or design. 'Circle of' suggests a close associate or workshop. 'School of' points to a regional or period style. 'Attributed to' means there is some evidence, but not a guarantee. 'Possibly by' is weaker still. 'Bears signature' means a signature is present, but it may have been added later.
Take a catalogue line like 'A pair of brass candlesticks, in the manner of Matthew Boulton'. That is a stylish pair of candlesticks with a Boulton flavour, not a pair of Boulton candlesticks. Price it accordingly. If a lot says 'signed' rather than 'bears signature', that is a stronger claim, but it is still not an authentication. Cataloguers are cautious for good reason.
The Buyer's Premium and Other Add-Ons
The hammer price is only the start. UK buyer's premiums are commonly around 20 to 25 per cent plus VAT, though they vary by saleroom and by sale type. Some lots also carry VAT on the hammer price. Online platforms may add their own fee. Card payments may attract a charge. If you are buying art, artist's resale right may apply. If you cannot collect, storage and shipping will eat into your margin.
Do the full sum before you bid. A £100 hammer price with a 25 per cent premium is £125, plus VAT on the premium at 20 per cent is another £5, so £130. If VAT applies to the hammer as well, the total rises again. That is fine if you have allowed for it. It is painful if you have not.
'Sold With All Faults' and Your Rights
At auction, the phrase 'sold with all faults' shifts the risk onto you. You generally cannot return a lot because of condition faults that were signalled in the catalogue or visible on viewing. But that does not mean you have no rights at all. If an item is misdescribed in a material way, you may have a claim. The difference between 'bronze' and 'spelter' is a description issue. The difference between 'in the manner of' and 'by' is an attribution issue, and attribution is usually expressed as opinion.
Ask specific questions in writing before the sale. Are there chips, cracks, restoration or missing parts? Does it work? Are there signatures, marks or labels? Can the saleroom send photographs of the base, the back and the edges? Keep the replies. If you collect in person and the lot is clearly not as described, raise it immediately, but do not assume you can reject a lot simply because you have changed your mind.
A Bidder's Checklist
Read the full lot description, including the notes. Check the viewing times. Request a condition report by email. Search past auction results for similar pieces. Check hallmarks and marks yourself where you can. Calculate the all-in price before you bid. Decide your maximum and stick to it. If you are buying remotely, ask who pays for shipping and whether the saleroom packs in-house.
The checklist is not glamorous, but it is the difference between a bargain and a lesson. Catalogue language is not a trap. It is a code, and once you can read it, you can bid with your eyes open rather than your fingers crossed.
