Celebrating 100 years of catalogued wool sales

At 4pm on September 15, 1908, the Town Hall (as the City Hall was then known) was a scene of excited animation with a number of produce dealers present.

This was to be the first time wool was sold in the small town by means of a catalogue. Until then, auctioneers had moved about the wool-laden wagons on the Market Square.

The sales were conducted by M Gilbert, the market master.

Up for auction were 1 133 bales and 14 bags of wool. Of these, 500 bales and seven bags were sold. Competition was fierce and light wools fetched very good prices and good wools were in demand.

Prices offered represented good value with Snow Whites from “SRH” attaining the best prices, 24 bales realising £1/4s/6d each. The top grease wool was from “JN”.

The main mover behind the scene to start catalogue auctions, a Mr Freilinghaus, spoke on behalf of the Port Elizabeth Produce Association to those assembled before the auction commenced.

He explained the manner of sale was the result of requests from a large number of farmers who wished to have a better method of keeping in touch with the status of the wool market.

Although sales had previously been held on a Thursday, it was felt the day of the week made no difference as those sales were mainly of a rummage style and did not really reflect the true nature of the trade.

Freilinghaus said the new way of conducting sales would give farmers a better idea of what was going on and made it easier for them to compare the value of their crop with their neighbour.

He felt the few sellers who were unconvinced would soon change their minds.

Source: The Herald

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