Our History

Established in 1876, Fellows Auctioneers is one of the United Kingdom's oldest and most respected firms of Auctioneers and Valuers.

The company’s origin can be traced back to the collapse of an order for bicycles. When William Henry Fellows was left with the unwanted order he decided to sell the bicycles by auction.

William Henry Fellows was followed by his son Francis Henry Fellows in 1920. It was during the 1920’s that the business grew, with Francis selling items belonging to refugees escaping the ravages of the Russian revolution.

Francis was in turn followed into the business by his two sons William and Albert Fellows, who ran the business from Greenfield Crescent in Edgbaston, Birmingham. This is when the jewellery sales began to build up.

William and Albert were followed into their business by Antony Fellows in 1972, the son of Albert. The company moved to larger premises in 1976 on Hagley Road, Birmingham. Antony (Tony) ran the company with his wife Muriel.

The company had now built up a reputation specialising in jewellery, and they were able to setup a Fine Art and Furniture Department. In 1986 they were joined by their daughter Jayne. In 1987 Stephen Whittaker joined the firm and he and his wife Jayne ran the Fine Art department.

Fellows Auctioneers moved in 1990 to Augusta House in the Jewellery Quarter, the firm’s current home where the company has excelled. Tony Fellows sadly passed away in 1997, and the company was still run by the three partners until Muriel’s retirement, when it was taken over by Jayne and her husband Stephen who is the current Managing Director.

Fellows now hold over 100 sales per year, more than half of which are for jewellery. This growth has been helped by the firm specialising in other niche markets such as watches, antiques, silver, collectables, furniture and handbags.

In 2016, Fellows celebrated 140 years and continued to expand its London office. In May 2018, Fellows acquired their own townhouse, nestled in the heart of Mayfair. Fellows’ London office is located at 29 Charles Street, London, W1J 5DT.

The Fellows family presence also expanded with Jayne and Stephen welcoming their daughters and the sixth generation into the firm. Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker work from the London office.

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Fellows Timeline

Francis Henry Fellows

Fellows established when William Henry Fellows was left with an unwanted order of bicycles that he decided to sell by auction. The family, who were also pawnbrokers, used auctions to sell uncollected pledges.

Francis Henry Fellows expanded the business by selling items belonging to refugees escaping from the ravages of the Russian Revolution.

Fellows saw a wide variety of goods from those refugees from the Nazi persecution who were able to smuggle out some of their wealth. Sales also included lost property from the Royal Mail.

After the Second World War Bill and Albert Fellows (brothers) re-established the firm in Aston - later having to move to Edgbaston when their building disappeared under the now iconic Birmingham Expressway.

Antony Fellows took over the running of the firm following the demise of his father and uncle.

Fellows were located on Hagley Road in Birmingham - offering a mixture of sales but increasingly specialising in jewellery and silver.

Fellows moved to their current premises in Augusta House in the Jewellery Quarter, lead by Antony Fellows.

Jayne Fellows (5th generation of the family) took over the running of the firm along with her husband Stephen Whittaker.

Fellows separated out their watch and jewellery sales to create individual specialist auctions, thus taking a big step to becoming a recognisable name in the world of watch auctions.

In 2016, Fellows continued to expand its London office and moved to new premises on Hill Street.

Fellows were named the leading UK regional auctioneer - a fantastic achievement by the company. Fellows also acquired a new London premises and relocated from Hill Street to Charles Street, Mayfair - where the sixth generation of Fellows Alexandra and Nicola Whittaker now work.