Bidding advice
You can place bids either under the lot image on the main auction page or on the right side of the individual lot page.
Placing a Maximum Bid
Use the "Set your bid limit" button on the left side of the bidding panel to enter the highest amount you're willing to bid on a lot. Our system will then automatically raise your bid in set increments if you’re outbid, up to your maximum. If someone bids above your set limit, we’ll notify you by email so you can choose whether to increase your bid.
Placing a Single Bid
Alternatively, place a single bid by selecting the button on the right side of the bidding panel. The button displays the amount needed for the next increment. For example, if the current highest bid is £50.00, the button will show "+ £55.00" (reflecting a £5.00 increment).
Incremental Bidding Explained
Our system increases bids based on preset increments, as shown in the table below, whether you set a maximum bid or make a single bid.
Bottle Details
Distilled in 1885 at Plantation des Saint-James - prior to the advent of pasteurisation and stainless steel fermentation vessels - the wash had to be gently heated to 40°C before fermentation in open wooden containers. Saint James was fortunate in 1902 that its Trouvaillant location was well-sheltered from the eruption of Mount Pelée, mercifully buried under ash rather than anything more destructive. The distillery was quickly back in operation and the incredible stock that produced this bottle spared. Having said that, it is still only by luck that any exists today, unearthed in cellars in Amsterdam, Paris and London.
This bottle dates to around the 1940s when the company was still run by François-Paulin Lambert's son, Ernest. The company was sold in 1955 by his widow following his death.
Saint James (Saint-Pierre)
The original production home of the Saint James brand of Martinique rhum agricole, located within the Habitation Trou-Vaillant near the town of Saint-Pierre. The distillery and brand were acquired by Cointreau & Cie SA in 1973, who moved production to a new distillery in Sainte-Marie
Saint James
One of the most well-known brands of AOC rhum agricole from Martinique. A historic label, it has been sold since 1765 when it was first exported to North America by the Pères de la Charité. It is today owned by La Martinquaise and produced at its distillery in Sainte-Marie.
Ernest Lambert & Co
A company established in 1905 by brothers Ernest and Eugene Lambert. It owned a number of plantations across Martinique, including Trou-Vaillant where its distillery produced rum for the Saint James brand. It subsequently divested from its rum interests in 1955.
Condition report
Auction results
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, we can ship to many countries worldwide. For a full list of available destinations, along with shipping costs and any restrictions, please visit our Shipping page.
In order to bid above £2,000 we require an identity check. This is to ensure the legitimacy of users so that bids are valid and fair.
You can verify your account and upload your identity documents on your Personal Profile.
Our monthly auctions end from 7:00 PM (UK local time) on the closing date. If a bid is placed after 7:00 PM on any lot, the entire auction will be extended by an additional two minutes.
The auction will end once all bidding has ceased for two minutes. Based on previous auction activity, the auction will continue for several hours and is most likely to finish between 9pm - 11pm (UK local time).
At Rum Auctioneer, we accept consignments from both private collectors and trade sellers. Whether you have a single bottle of something special or need to clear out older stock, we're here to help you find the right buyers.
We offer free, no-obligation valuations and support you with getting your bottles to us, including free bottle collection within the UK and EU (subject to value and volume).
Once your rum arrives at our warehouse, we handle everything – from creating professional listings and taking photos to promoting your bottles to a global audience. With a user-friendly website, low buyer commissions, and worldwide shipping options, our auctions attract a wide range of buyers from all over the world, increasing the chances of a great sale.
If you’re ready to sell, visit our Seller’s Guide to get started.
