Western Morning News (Saturday)
Discover a treasure trove of delights
ANUMBER of interesting lockdown finds will be coming up for auction in Plymouth this week. With the benefit of virtual valuations and Covid-safe house visits the team at Plymouth Auction Rooms have generated a fascinating sale of collectables and antiques.
Discovered amongst a box of old coins was a rare Victorian Baltic campaign medal from 1854/55. This medal was awarded to those who served during the Baltic Sea operations against Russia during the Crimean War. Collectors are sure to spot this medal and it could sell for over £100.
A further discovery was for a miniature whistle; overlooked by the owner as ‘an old trinket’ the auctioneers quickly identified this as a rare 19th century collector’s item carved in ivory in the form of a dogs head. Auctioneer Paul Keen said: “These charming whistles are highly collectable today and we are expecting some competition for this lot.”
The artist P.G. Puleston has signed a naive oil painting, depicting shipping in choppy waters off a coastline. It measures 53 by 78 cm, and appears quite affordable at just £150 to £200.
There are many people with plenty of time on their hands so perhaps the collection of various pocket watch movements will be of interest, or even the residual collection of watch and clock makers workshop effects including a neat watchmakers lathe, all with affordable price guides.
A fine compound microscope by Carl Zeiss, model Jena No33024, is stamped British Museum Natural History 1901, and is offered with a number of slides and paperwork including its original receipt form Berlin, guide price £400 to £600.
This interesting online auction starts at 10.30 on Wednesday, March 10 and all the lots can be viewed online now at the auctioneers new website plymouthauctions.co.uk or for further details call on 01752 254740.
Painting by P.G. Puleston