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AP saleroom

Family-run · Thruxton Racing Circuit

Specialist auctioneers of
vintage advertising and petroliana

Two generations of passionate enthusiasts — Nick and Edward Joslin — and on auction day the rest of the family join in too: George assisting on the rostrum, and Janice taking care of buyers. Live auctions at Thruxton Racing Circuit, broadcast online worldwide. This is all we do.

Rather talk it through? Speak with an expert — 07415 191 494

Next sale — Advertising & Petroliana auction November 7/8 .Over 500 Lots including Barn Find · 7th November 2026

The saleroom at Thruxton Racing Circuit

Who we are

Collectors first, auctioneers second

Nick has been a collector since 1973 and has bought and sold advertising at auction for over thirty years. His collecting started at eleven, and the passion has held ever since, offering help and advice to collectors and auction houses alike. That eye for the genuine article is what every buyer and seller gets today.

Edward grew up surrounded by his dad’s collections and from an early age became fascinated by their history, values and the stories of where they were found. Over the years this passion grew, and when the opportunity came to be involved in the business he was excited to jump on board — he has since further honed his expertise and is a useful and friendly contact for buyers and sellers alike.

  • Every lot inspected and shown from every angle, with high-resolution photographs
  • 50+ years of specialist knowledge
  • Integrity and transparency buyers and sellers can trust

More about us

Why us

Specialists, not generalists

At a general auction house, antique advertising is taken in alongside all sorts of other categories. With us, it is our sole focus. Nick has enlisted the help and support of trusted friends in the hobby, so genuine expert advice is available across the full spectrum of advertising niches — helping sellers appreciate the true value of their consignments, and giving buyers the transparent, high-quality information they need to bid with confidence. Nick is supported by Edward Joslin, our second specialist.

‘We’ll take great care selling your collection’

We work to the highest levels of integrity to earn our customers’ trust, and we are committed to a new standard of service — from your first contact through to the final moments of the auction, and beyond.

  • Unsold lots get a second chance through our online timed auctions — and some a third, in our website shop, where they can be bought at their reserve price.
  • Useful extras too: we will be adding a shop for collectors to enhance their collections, including light-up displays for globes, globe rubbers, replacement thermometer tubes and more.
  • Our service runs past the fall of the hammer — to the handling, collection and safe transport of your items.
  • We connect collectors with specialist services — restoration, framing and specialist transport — for those who want that bit extra.
  • And beyond the auction itself, we help match buyers’ wish-lists with willing sellers.

Selling

A full service — you just make the call

From the first valuation to payment, and everything in between. We make it easy for you.

Get an online valuation Speak with an expert

Free valuation

A realistic auction estimate from Nick or Edward, usually within a day.

Collection & insurance

We can arrange collection and insurance cover for your items, with the cost agreed in advance.

Cataloguing

Every lot researched and photographed for our printed catalogues and online.

High-profile marketing

Representation across several platforms, with advertising in various magazines and targeted social media.

Live & online auction

Sold live at Thruxton and broadcast online to buyers worldwide.

Paid within a week

Your money is sent within seven days of the buyer’s cleared funds.

A recent track record — the July 2026 two-day sale

100% Sold in the July two-day sale, lot for lot
550+ Lots offered, all at No Reserve
200+ Online bidders, plus 40+ in the room
£15,080 Top price, including Buyer's Premium

What we sell

Advertising and petroliana. That is the whole focus.

Looking for a particular category? Filter the full catalogue by type once the next sale is live.

Buying

A strong line-up, sold well

A few results from the 2026 sales.

National Super Mixture Petrol Pump Globe

£15,080

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Petrol Pump

£15,080

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Fry's Chocolate Five Boys Enamel Advertising Sign

£8,120

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Wincarnis Pictorial Enamel Advertising Sign

£6,032

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Shell Motor Oil Pump Globe

£5,800

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Cadbury's Enamel Advertising Sign

£5,104

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

British Dominions Empire Motor Policy Enamel Advertising Sign

£5,104

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Player's Navy Cut Cigarettes Enamel Advertising Sign

£4,640

Sold, including Buyer's Premium

Prices shown include the 16% Buyer's Premium.

View upcoming auctions See more results

The venue

Our venue provides the perfect backdrop

Auctions are held in the BARC hospitality suite at Thruxton Racing Circuit — a comfortable, well-lit room that shows the lots off properly, with a great deal of space to view and a room full of friends and connections in the hobby.

  • Air-conditioned, with complimentary refreshments
  • The full catalogue on display for close inspection
  • Unlimited free parking and full disabled access
  • Free entry — viewing days before every auction

About the venue

Latest updates

News from the saleroom

Sale report

July two-day sale, sold lot for lot

Four full collections and an eleventh-hour barn-find took the July sale past 550 lots, all offered at No Reserve. Over 40 bidders in the room and more than 200 online made for a lively day and some exceptional prices.

Consignments

Entries invited for the November sale

We are taking consignments now, with strong early entries in for a line-up seen by over 600 registered buyers. Our catalogue deadline is 14 September — call us seven days a week to get the ball rolling.

Diary

Find us at Beaulieu Autojumble

Attending Beaulieu Autojumble? You can drop your items off with us there, ahead of the November sale. We’ll be at GREEN 348b.

Seller testimonials

What our sellers say

I have used AP saleroom for several sales, including a Shell petrol-pump globe and a large collection of original advertising show cards from the 1940s and 1950s, which were discovered in the cellar of our shop. Nick provided an excellent service throughout — he prepared and presented all the listings professionally, kept us fully informed at every stage and made the whole process remarkably straightforward. The fees were also very reasonable, considerably less than we would have paid selling through eBay. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Nick and AP saleroom to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, professional and cost-effective way to sell unusual or collectable items.
Graeme N — seller
Selling my collection of enamel signs through AP saleroom was an excellent decision. Both Nick and Edward were very professional and provided an outstanding service that included arranging the collection of the signs and photographing them, together with providing accurate descriptions and realistic estimates. The sale was well marketed and included the provision of a full colour catalogue with every lot illustrated, resulting in excellent prices being achieved. This, combined with competitive selling costs and a fast payout, means I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.
Paul G — seller
Nick, I’d just like to say a huge thank you for the way your good self and the team at AP saleroom carried out the selling of my private enamel sign collection. Very pleased and grateful for the way everything was dealt with in such a professional and caring way from start to finish. No faults whatsoever… I would highly recommend AP saleroom to anybody else who may be thinking of selling similar items to my collection — I’d 100% choose you and your team. No worries and great results. Thanks again Nick and the team at AP saleroom.
Spencer E — seller

Talk to us

Speak with an expert

Selling a single sign or a whole collection, or after advice before you bid — a quick call to Nick or Edward is usually all it takes.

Call the saleroom Contact page

Call the specialists

Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00 · WhatsApp welcome