Western Morning News (Saturday)
Collections evoke a sense of nostalgia
INCLUDED in Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s two-day Sporting & Collectors’ auction of the May 11 and 12 are several large singleowner collections.
One of the most nostalgic for many will be the collection of enamel railways signs and collection of model trains. The simple clean distinctive text and colours like those of the station sign shown here, are still considered design classics today.
No doubt Railwayana collectors’ will be in competition with millennials who are keen to add a touch of ‘retro’ or ‘nostalgia’ to their modern interior decor. Even with a pre-sale estimate of £80-£120* it should steam past the top end of the estimate on the day.
Over the past year as we have been spending more time at home, some of the more traditional hobbies have been rekindled in many people. Model trains and railways have increased in demand as people have been in lockdown. Not being able to attend outdoor shows and events means enthusiasts have been building their own models and layouts, so this large garden scale Lynton & Barnstaple locomotive should draw in a large following even with an £800-£1,000* estimate.
Spending so much time at home during the lockdowns has also meant that many people have had a very big ‘spring clean’ and discovered a number of surprises hidden away. One such collection that is included in the auction is a group of Masonic jewels and medals. A lot of people may be familiar with some Lodge medals that have passed down through the family, but the wide range and international variety of Lodges included in this collection is astonishing. Even more so is the quality and design of some of the pieces like this Victorian 18ct gold ‘Union of Malta Lodge’ jewel with Jubilee suspension at £900-£1,000*
Maybe you used the time to start up a new hobby like learning to play the guitar? Well if you fancy yourself as a social media rock star, then the 1996 Fender Telecaster will certainly help your credibility.
Vintage guitars are very much in demand at the moment, even those built in Japan in the late 1990s. This Telecaster should easily reach the
high end of its £200-300* estimate.
Medals and militaria are still in demand and the sale has a good selection on offer.
Two of the highlights are an original WWI rifle scope by Aldis Brothers, estimate £300-£400*, which will attract international attention on the two online bidding platforms on the day.
Also a rather unique double barrel cannon with an estimate of £600£800* will attract both military and naval collectors’ to the saleroom in Exeter.
For further information please call 01392 413100 or visit www.bhandl. co.uk *Note: All Lots are subject to Buyer’s Premium of 27.6% incl. VAT @ 20%.