Essex auction shows Eastern promise

TWO Eastern Region totem signs and an LNER seatback nameplate were among the stars in a sale of antiques and collectables held by Stacey’s of Rayleigh, Essex, on July 19.

The totems, Mistley and Wrabness, each sold for £950. Both stations, which are still open today, are on the 11-mile branch line that runs from Manningtree on the ColchesterIpswich main line to Harwich Town and was opened in August 1854.

The seatback, whose realisation of £950 matched the two leading totems, was a Harwich (Parkeston Quay) plate, another station on the line which opened under that name but was renamed Harwich International in 1995.

The station was the location of a four-road locomotive shed built by the Great Eastern Railway in 1883 and closed by BR in January 1961 when coded 30F. Prices exclude buyer’s premium of 25% (inc VAT).