Western Morning News (Saturday)
Full steam ahead
ONE of our deceased estate clearances has turned out to be quite a treasure trove of exciting lots. Being brought up in a workshop alongside a highly skilled craftsman, I am just as passionate about workshop finds as traditional antiques.
There is nothing more exciting as an auctioneer than going through someone’s workshop, with a level of respect for how precious the contents will have been to the owner, whether high value or not and who rarely miss anything retrievable!
In a couple of barns we found Mamod and Wilesco commercially mass produced models, most with original boxes, but super finds were a range of near to finished hand built Stuart and Pegasus Beam Engines 1” to 1 1/2” scale, a Marshall 1 1/2” scale portable steam engine and an Aveling and Porter 2”scale Steam Roller.
The mass of blueprints and copies and parts have been painstakingly married up to the correct models. The blueprints for the Marshall portable engine are dated 1940 and it is 75% complete. The steam roller’s papers are dated 1970s and at 2” scale will be approx three-feet long once finished.
These fetch staggering prices completed and this is a golden opportunity for an exciting investment project, with many built far enough, to have been put into their livery colours.
In the salvage section a Farmer Deluxe disinfectant pump sprayer is by the Four Oaks Spraying Machine Co, established in 1902. The heavy duty galvanised reservoir bucket has corrugated and riveted sides, an upgrade from their plain pail model, to withstand potential trampling by livestock. Having its original makers plate, often missing sieve pan, pump and hose, it is only missing its nozzle. A good decorating piece estimate: £60-90.
The Tools, Collectables and Man Cave timed online auction takes place September 23 to 26.
For more information contact Beech Auctions, Calllington on 01579 383129 or visit www.beechauctions.co.uk.