The Estate of Nellmapius was advertised in the press to be sold at an auction in Church Square. The press notice preceding the auction described the house as “substantially built, containing six rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, two pantries, two wine cellars, etc., etc., water laid throughout, surrounded by verandah” The Irene Estate was sold for a mere £21 500 and the buyer was J. A. van der Byl, acting as agent for Eckstein’s and Lewis and Marks. Including stock and movables, auction fees and transfer fees, the final price came to about £26 000. Bought for £40 000 seven years previously by Nellmapius, who had spent another fortune developing it.
