THE private collection of a television treasure hunter and antique dealer is to go under the hammer, including a historic sign reputed to be from a Cotswolds tearoom.
The collection of original treasure-hunter, Drew Pritchard of TV show Salvage Hunters, is to go to auction at Dreweatts next month, including a sign from St Patrick's tearooms in Moreton-In-Marsh.
Mr Pritchard is well-known to viewers for his keen eye and ability to identify valuable pieces that may not be in their perfect state, but have the potential to be brought back to life with good restoration.
The sale titled Drew Pritchard: The Collection will take place at Dreweatts on March 5 and 6.
Each piece is said by Dreweatts to have a unique backstory and quality. The sale, estimated to fetch over £700,000 comprises approximately 500 lots, which range in estimate from £200 up to £30,000.
Among the highlights is a fine regency satinwood, Macassar and ebony library table by George Oakley (1773-1840) with an estimate of between £12,000 and £18,000.
Oakley was one of the most famous cabinet makers in Regency London, which earned him a Royal patronage and a leading exponent of Grecian furniture which was highly popular in the 19th century.
Also set to go under the hammer are a matched pair of walnut and upholstered Bridgewater and Grafton armchairs by Howard and Son with stamped legs (detailing the maker).
John Howard and his son George led the way in English furniture in the 19th century, estimated to fetch between £15,000 and £25,000.
A pair of 18th / early 19th century leather panels depicting the Battle of Cannae are estimated to fetch between £8,000 and £12,000.
They are believed to have come from a family member at Soldon Manor in Devon and depict the Battle of Cannae, a key engagement of the Second Punic war between the Roman Republic and Carthage.
Up for sale is a large painted wood and iron bound engineer’s chest for the famous Bluebird car series, owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948), who famously first broke the land speed record in 1924. It is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000.
There is also evidence that the chest was used before Campbell was knighted, as the title ‘Sir’ appears to have been added, dating the chest back to Campbell’s earlier speed records.
The chest belonged to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s long-serving mechanic, Leopoldo Alfonso Villa OBE (1899-1979), who played a key role in nine land and four water world speed record attempts.
A 1930 rare 'Steam Boat Willie' fairground ride boat is expected fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.
Sold from France into the English market as a popular fairground ride, this example is one of only a small number now in existence.
Steamboat Willie was the first film starring Mickey Mouse in his earliest form in 1928, before becoming the face of Disney.
An original Liberty retailers sign that hung outside Liberty & Co in London’s Regent Street is another unusual slice of history. The large carved, gilded and polychrome painted sign that hung outside their premises, dates from 1875, the year the company was founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty (1843-1917). It has an estimate of £8,000 and £12,000.
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