A Legacy Under the Hammer: Celebrating 90 Years of Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers & Valuers

In 2025, Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers & Valuers proudly celebrates 90 years in business - marking nearly a century of auctions, antiques and unwavering dedication to Hull and beyond.

The family-run firm was founded on 25th April 1935 by Gilbert Baitson at 9 Bond Street in Hull. Alongside his wife, Lilian, Gilbert quickly established a reputation for trust, resilience and hard work - qualities that would carry the company through some of the most turbulent times in modern history.

During the Hull Blitz in World War II, the original Bond Street premises were destroyed. Undeterred, Gilbert and Lilian moved the business to their home on Ferriby High Road, where they pivoted their work to insurance evaluations for bomb damage - playing a quiet but vital role in the war effort.

In 1945, the business found a new home at 115 Anlaby Road, launching regular public auctions of household goods, general effects and vehicles on Corporation Field. These weekly events quickly became part of the rhythm of local life.

Gilbert and Lilian’s son, Michael Baitson, initially pursued a career in horticulture and farming, but joined the family firm in 1959. The 1970s brought further change and growth, with the business moving in 1973 to the former St John’s Drill Hall at 194-196 Anlaby Road - a distinctive site that became synonymous with the Baitson name. That same year, a statue of King Edward VII was installed in the front garden, adding a regal touch to the premises.

Following Gilbert’s passing in 1987, Michael and his daughter took the reins. Later that year, Michael’s son, Andrew M Baitson, joined the firm full-time at just 16. Having helped out during school holidays, Andrew had auctioneering in his blood. But not before a brief stint at Habitat - a condition set by his mother to teach him “a bit of discipline” before entering the family business.

In 1991, the company relocated to the former Tetley Distribution Centre on Wiltshire Road, prompted by the expansion of Hull Royal Infirmary’s car park. It remained there until 2005, when the business moved once again to its current location at 389–395 Anlaby Road. The family personally undertook the refurbishment, painting skirting boards into the early hours the night before opening - testament to the passion and dedication that have always defined the business.

In 2013, the firm entered the digital age, introducing online auctions to great success. While traditional live auctions continued, the digital shift opened up access to bidders from across Europe and even as far away as Australia. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, online sales became the norm, with only antique and collectible auctions still maintaining a physical presence alongside digital bidding.

Through it all, Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers & Valuers has remained a constant in Hull’s commercial and cultural landscape - working with a wide range of clients including local authorities, insolvency practitioners, the High Court, bailiffs and private individuals.

With more than 8,720 auctions held to date, the stories behind the lots are as diverse as they are unforgettable. While people often ask about the most expensive items sold, Andrew says it’s the unusual and macabre that stick in his mind.

Over the decades, the auction house has sold everything from the last Blackburn Beverley transporter aircraft and the Baccarat board from the infamous 1890 royal gambling scandal, to thousands of sets of false teeth, Green Goddess fire engines and even a Doberman left abandoned in a warehouse. There was the plaster cast of The Elephant Man’s head from The Christopher Tucker Collection, relics from Fort Paull Museum, The Amy Johnson moths, the Larkin Toads and Puffins Galore public art trails - not to mention a pink Corvette and blue Cadillac once perched on the roof of Yankee Burger.

Today, Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers & Valuers continues to run weekly household sales, specialist auctions of antiques and collectables, commercial plant and machinery, catering equipment, end-of-line goods and more. If it can be sold, chances are they’ve sold it.

Now at the helm, Andrew leads a dedicated team with one eye on the past and the other firmly on the future. “We’re still going - going strong,” he says. “My goal is to reach 10,000 auctions in time for our 100th year. That’s only another 1,280 auctions to go.”

From Bond Street to broadband, and from ration books to digital bids, Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers & Valuers has stood the test of time. After 90 years, they remain a cornerstone of the Hull community - a business built on heritage, heart, and the enduring thrill of the gavel.

Throughout this evolution, Auction News has proudly stood alongside Gilbert Baitson for over 30 years - helping promote their auctions to a national audience and supporting their transition into the online space. Together, they've embraced the future of auctioneering while honouring its traditions.

*Illustration by Eleanor Tomlinson Art