About Cuttlestones Auctioneers and Valuers

Based in the historic Staffordshire market town of Penkridge, Cuttlestones is a progressive firm of Auctioneers and Valuers that serves the whole of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, the West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent and beyond, and is dedicated to providing first-class customer service while drawing on over 100 years’ combined industry experience.

The team’s broad knowledge covers areas as diverse as furniture, silver, watches, jewellery, glass, ceramics, militaria, toys, books, maps, paintings, clocks, barometers and general collectables and Country House Sales are a speciality. For more unusual items, Cuttlestones has forged relationships with expert consultants all across the country with a particular focus on stamps, jewellery, coins and militaria.

Cuttlestones is the latest chapter in the history of Penkridge’s Pinfold Lane sales rooms. Home to agricultural auctions for many years, the business changed direction to specialise in antiques and valuations during the 1990s. Having joined the business in 1993, Ben Gamble acquired the business in 2007, re-launching under the ‘Cuttlestones’ standard, a move which has seen the business go from strength to strength, winning a number of high profile clients along the way.

Resurrecting a piece of local history

Cuttlestone was a name lost in time and originates from the Saxon division of counties into ‘hundreds’. Penkridge lay at the heart of the Cuttlestone Hundred, an area measuring some 20 miles by 12 miles that encompassed two ancient market towns - Rugeley to the east, and Penkridge to the west.

Embracing the past, present and future

In today’s ever-evolving world of multi-media, whether buying or selling, the challenge is finding a trading platform that offers the best returns for you. Via this website, a live internet bidding service and a comprehensive on and off-line marketing strategy, Cuttlestones is continually developing to provide that platform, while maintaining its commitment to excellent customer service.

Meet the Team

Ben Gamble Managing Director Ben is the head of Cuttlestones and oversees all aspects of the business. Ben’s primary focus is to source and catalogue the quarterly fine art sales. His greatest find to date was a Thomas Sidney Cooper Oil of huge proportions found on its side in a barn passageway, which realised £51000 back in October 2008. In his spare time Ben is a keen sportsman and still attempts to play Sunday morning football although retirement is edging closer!		Rosie Blackburn General Manager Rosie is in charge of the logistics of running a busy modern Auction House and all it entails. From liaising with customers through to organising day-to-day events, Rosie can be seen in every part of the saleroom - often at the same time! Rosie is a keen pub quiz participant.
Victoria Barnes Office Manager Victoria, or 'Tori' as she is affectionately known, is in charge of the office at Cuttlestones. Tori is also the technical IT brain at Cuttlestones and looks after the ongoing technical advancements demanded by a modern Auction House. Horse riding is essential to Tori and she can often be found galloping across Cannock Chase.		Dave Eglington Marketing and Sporting Valuations The most recent addition to the cuttlestones team, Dave's role is to assist Ben in cataloguing and photographing for the Fine Art Sales while overseeing the advertising and marketing side of the business. Dave has a keen interest in antiques especially silver, jewellery and sporting items, which is put to use in valuations. In his spare time Dave indulges his passion for all things Italian and would welcome any tests for his Italian vocabulary!
Brian Cantrill Auction porter Brian can normally be found portering at the weekly general sales or the quarterly Fine Art Sales as well as at the various location sales Cuttlestones holds throughout the year. With a farming background, Brian has also developed his own Belted Galloway Pedigree herd and sells the beef - ask for a leaflet!		John Gamble Removals and Porter John is primarily involved with the House clearances and removal side of the business. In John's spare time he is a keen football fan and is also part of the successful (ish)! Cuttlestones pub quiz team on a Sunday Evening.
Will Coxon Auction porter Will is the youngest member of the team and as such is normally found carrying anything that may be heavy! Will is an avid Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and has high hopes of success for the ‘Wolves’. Will is also a keen fisherman in his spare time.		Allen Williams Auction porter Allen’s role at Cuttlestones is varied and, if not on a house clearance or a removal, then is normally dealing with clients in the saleroom. Allen has a huge interest in toys and 'Railwayana' and is reputed to have the largest anorak collection in Staffordshire! Allen is also part of the Cuttlestones Pub quiz team.
David Spencer Jewellery Consultant David Spencer has over 23 years' experience in the jewellery industry. With a family background in the jewellery trade, he spent more than 17 years training, designing and manufacturing in Birmingham's famous jewellery quarter before relocating in 2004 to Eccleshall in Staffordshire and opening his own shop. David is well known for his role in the community - an active member of the Eccleshall Business Focus Group, he is also governor at Bishop Lonsdale Primary School which his daughters attend.		Greville Handbury-Madin Shrewsbury Representative ‘Grev’, as he is known, has a life-time's experience in the world of antiques. Formerly at Phillips before running a successful antique shop in the heart of Shrewsbury. Grev is now responsible for sourcing goods from the Shropshire area. He is also an expert on Country Oak furniture and 18th century ceramics.
Geoff Milsom Stamp Consultant Geoff Milsom is a leading international supplier of stamp collections and lots to smaller dealers and collectors. As such, he has a worldwide knowledge of stamps from 1840 to 1960. In 1985 he joined the Philatelic Traders Society and has served on Council since 1998. Along with his wife, Gina, he has traded as Geoff Milsom (Stamps) PTS since 1985.		Debbie Curtis Auction Porter A long standing and valued client of Cuttlestones Debbie has recently joined the team to help with the sales at Penkridge. Debbie is also a keen collector and can often be spotted at local sales and fairs. With plenty of opportunity to practice Debbie is also developing her tea making abilities!
Libby Vjestica Internet and Live Bidding Libby has recently taken on the responsibility for Cuttlestones successful Live Bidding option for the Fine Art Sales. With a background in IT and a calm persona nothing fazes Libby and the live bidding side of the business is going from strength to strength.