In my experience of auctions and auctioneers, it all boils down to this. Auctioneers always want to have the reserve or guide price to be at a come and buy me level, otherwise they feel that they have gone to some trouble advertising and may be some printing costs too. If during the auction the item does not meet the reserve they have the lesson that they have done work for nothing and who would want that?
I was also coming to the age to down size my collection two years back so I sold my guns individually over the proceeding months. Though I have kept one London first liner and a couple of Birmingham offerings plus a gun that belonged to a n old friend. So when I slip of this mortal coil not a large number to dispose of.
George I do hope things go well for you.
