Western Morning News (Saturday)
July auction items have the ‘wow’ factor
AGIANT toby jug made by the Devonmoor Pottery at Liverton will feature in Michael Bowman’s Online Auction commencing at 2pm next Saturday, July 25.
Sitting 24” high in his bright blue jacket, this was the largest size the pottery produced and bears the initials of their most prolific paintress, Daisy Rees-Hill, who was particularly active during the 1930’s. Bids of £400-600 are anticipated.
A WWII medal group may not be of high value, but offers great interest to the people of Newton Abbot and with its supporting paperwork, provides a wonderful insight into that troubled period in history.
The three campaign medals were awarded to Private Frederick Hicks of Tudor Road, Newton Abbot after serving in the Green Howards. Two old cuttings from the Mid Devon and Newton Times provide the story.
Frederick and his brother William, a driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, were posted out in their respective units for active service in North Africa at the beginning of 1941. There had been no contact between them for 18 months until they each found themselves taken prisoner and were held in the same African POW camp.
The first newspaper cutting describes their families’ delight after initial reports of their having gone missing led to the news that they were both alive and well in captivity.
The second reports tells us that the brothers were transferred to another camp in Italy and from there they managed to escape into Switzerland.
The Swiss locals were perfectly hospitable and allowed them freedom to stay in their midst for the best part of a year before advancing Allied troops made their return over the French border possible.
Elsewhere in the sale, a selection of jewellery is led by the certified natural 4.88 carat Sri-Lankan sapphire and diamond oval cluster ring with hopes of £2,000-3,000.
A 1960’s gent’s stainless steel LeCoultre Master Mariner wrist watch was one of 1,000 models produced. This ‘Deep Sea’ Compressor model looks for interest in the region of £5,000-6,000.
There will be no public viewing for this auction, but all lots are fully illustrated online and the auctioneer has now returned to his weekly Monday afternoon valuations, now by appointment only, at Chudleigh Town Hall. All enquiries tel 01626 324071 or michaeljbowman.co.uk