THE next couple of sales organised by charismatic auctioneer Robin Fenner were set to be his swansong. But he now wryly admits to looking forward to holding 'just a few more' in 2001.
'I had thought very seriously about hanging up the gavel — but at this moment the adrenaline is beginning to rush,' says 59-year-old Robin.
This is his 25th year in Tavistock and 33rd year as an auctioneer. Yet the delight of taking to the rostrum and banging down the bids has never diminished.
Just when he was considering retirement he was invited to undertake his first estate from Guernsey. Robin, has for many years, sold paintings from the Channel Islands through his Stannary Gallery auction rooms but this is the first time he has been requested to handle a whole estate from there.
'It includes a mixture of English and Guernsey furniture and a wonderful collection of Royal Worcester porcelain bulls,' says Robin, who has had to divide the items up into two sales — October 23 and November 27.
Robin, more than most auctioneers, has a unique style that brings an affable air of theatricality as well authority to the auction room. His black eye-patch — the legacy of a serious motoring accident 30 years ago — has become, for him, as much of a visual trade mark as bow-ties or buttonholes are for others.
He was affectionately dubbed the 'piratical auctioneer' at a Children in Need charity event by a BBC broadcaster after a child tugged his sleeve enquiring if he was a pirate!
'I'm a frustrated actor. I have an audience in an auction room — and they don't even have to pay to come in!' he quips.
'There is an aura about selling under the gavel. You have to be a little bit of a comedian. You need that repartee which is often lacking in many sale rooms.
'When people come and spend money you have to give them something a little bit more back than the article. It is all about personality and integrity.'
Robin says there has always been an aloofness in the profession which he regrets.
'People can be put off by the so-called expert. I think this business is a great leveller because we are all, at the end of the day, buying or selling.'
Robin first grew to love antiques when he accompanied his collector father to various sales.
Raised in Totnes, he began as an auctioneer in London in 1967 working for John Watkins. He spent a very informative period as a porter with Sothebys before setting up his own freelance circuit around the Home Counties.
Robin married Sheila, who is also his business partner, in 1972, and shortly after they moved to the Tavistock area to settle and raise a family.
His passion is fine art. 'I love paintings. Every auctioneer has his strengths and I see mine as 18th and 19th century English watercolours, English silver and, in recent years, 20th century pottery,' says Robin.
He has also become well-known for his vintage toy and train auctions which took off when he received huge publicity after selling a collection belonging to a local collector.
Part of the joy of being an auctioneer for Robin is the amount of fascinating items with which he comes into contact. He believes there is a great onus on people who own or sell items from a bygone age to care for them.
'I like to believe that in some way shape or form we are all custodians. You may own something but you are technically caring for it because you cannot take it when you go. So you hope to pass it on to the next generation as its custodian,' he says.
'You have it on lease. It may be a lifetime's lease but eventually it becomes someone else's.'
He likes the idea of items going round and coming round. Antiques being passed on and cherished down the ages and the generations.
And the pleasure of being an active part of that process makes retirement seem a less exciting alternative.