Mick Isaacs (1890-1971)
Mick Isaacs began his career conducting traditional auction sales in South Africa in the early 1940’s. Upon returning to England, he established the first auction rooms on Mosley Street in Manchester City Centre, where crowds would gather to witness his renowned skills as a ‘rostrum artist.’ Many attended not with the intention to purchase, but simply to be entertained by his charismatic auctioneering style.
Joe Isaacs (1919-1990)
During the Second World War, Joe Isaacs worked as a qualified City & Guilds welder, manufacturing armaments in Manchester’s factories. Following the war, he joined the family business and, alongside his father, established M. Isaacs & Sons (Auctioneers) Ltd. Over the years, they conducted thousands of auctions across various industries, often captivating audiences and frequently holding charity auctions. Among their notable achievements, they served as the auctioneers for General Patton’s Headquarters at the end of the war. In the 1960’s, the company relocated its offices and salesrooms to Booth Street, Salford.
Bobbie Isaacs (1944-)
Bobbie Isaacs joined the business and worked closely with her father, Joe. Together, they conducted traditional on-site auction sales across the UK, covering almost every industry. During the economic boom of the 1980’s, the businesses thrived, with auctions taking place across the country multiple times a week, alongside regular sales at their headquarters.
In 1988, the family sold the company to a holding group. However, within a year, after fulfilling their contractual obligations, Bobbie and her family chose to leave, unwilling to watch the company deteriorate under new management. This led to the establishment of J&C Auctions(Joe and Celia), which later became Isaacs Auctioneers.
Their expertise extended across various fields, from engineering to antiques, including serving as the exclusive auctioneers for Rolls Royce (1971-1991). They conducted traditional auctions for major companies such as Cadbury, Schweppes, Coca-Cola, David Brown, Farmer Norton, GEC, Jenson Motors, British Northrop, Platt Brothers and Jaguar Motor Cars. The ‘Upstairs Saleroom’ hosted fine art and antique auctions every six weeks, and they managed prestigious house sales, including for Cherry Blossom.