About Ramsay Cornish

Martin Cornish

Head of Valuations

Martin Cornish brings over thirty years’ experience. He trained for the first fifteen years of his professional life with Lyon and Turnbull of George Street, Edinburgh. A grand lady of Edinburgh auctioneering, Lyon and Turnbull taught him skills which have underpinned his professional life. Integrity, care for the customer and the value of long term professional relationships are key to his working ethic. Martin oversees the Valuations Department with specialist interest in furniture, contemporary design and Oriental works of art.

Richard Edwards

Senior cataloguer: specialist sales

Originally  from the West coast of Scotland, Richard first qualified as a solicitor before going on to build a career in auctioneering.  He joined Sotheby’s New York in 1993 as a specialist in the European Works of Art Dept, before moving to Doyle New York as a General Valuer and Appraiser. Returning to the UK in 2003, he has headed up a provincial auction house in Yorkshire.  We are sure you will find Richard highly knowledgeable with a charming and friendly approach.

Dickie Pavey

Militaria: specialist consultant

From teenage years as a collector of militaria Dickie found himself working with one of Edinburgh’s most flamboyant and knowledgeable antique dealers, specialising in militaria including medals and weapons, stamps, coins and collectables, in the 1980s.  Dickie learnt by handling a wide range of antiques and collectables; the best way to learn with an experienced and knowledgeable mentor.  With a natural eye, curiosity and eclectic interests, this passionate interest continued as an integral part of his working and personal life.  

Drew Bain

Taxidermy and the natural world

Drew Bain (consultant) from The Laws of Nature, advises on all aspects of taxidermy and natural history.  This is an increasingly delicate area with protective legislation in place and it is essential to ensure that any items in this category are correctly appraised.  Drew can arrange and oversee the entire CITES process enabling sellers to maximise their return for items which are increasingly challenging to sell.

Charlie Munro

Stamps, coins and banknotes

A well known face in the stamp and coin world, Charlie has had a passion for his subject from boyhood.  As a teenager, he worked alongside one of Scotland's biggest stamp and coin dealers.  He has gone on to develop his interest professionally and has worked for over twenty years as an auction cataloguer and valuer of stamps, coins and banknotes.

Beatrice Bath

Books, manuscripts and ephemera

Charles Hood

Auctioneer and valuer

Charles joins us from Duggleby Stephenson in York.  Charles comes from a family of second generation antique dealers and spent his childhood accompanying his father to auctions and house calls, learning in the best possible way.  He went on to take a degree in Art History before beginning as a trainee with Duggleby Stephenson, York.  We are excited to welcome his energy and knowledge. Charles is particularly interested in rugs, clocks and watches, period furniture and architectural antiques

Rebecca Benson

Administration/Client services

Phil Evans

Saleroom assistant/trainee valuer

Alongside a lifetime of visting auctions and collecting on a personal level, Phil's background is largely academic.  Phil studied History of Art with Christie's at Glasgow University and went on to specialise, studying History of Art and the Archaeology of East Asia at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.  Supporting his academic work he began buying principally Japanese cloisonne, building relationships with dealers and collectors, this remains his particular area of interest and expertise.  Phil joins us as a trainee valuer and much needed assistant in the saleroom.

Alex Cornish

Saleroom manager/junior cataloguer