Wilmslow is poised to put itself on the sporting memorabilia auction map after thousands of pounds worth of football-related treasures was unearthed in the area.
Hansons’ sports valuer Alistair Lofley made his first trip to our regular Wilmslow valuation event in March and, such was his success, he’s booked a return visit to The Coach and Four, 69/71 Alderley Road, on July 18.
Due to the area’s close proximity to Manchester, he expected to see memorabilia linked to either Manchester United or Manchester City – and he wasn’t disappointed.
One particularly unusual find was a commemorative captain’s brochure from RMS Queen Mary, circa 1960, signed by Sir Matt Busby’s Manchester United squad during a trip they made on the grand ocean liner.
Players like Johnny Giles, Harry Gregg, Alex Lawson, Maurice Setters and Ronnie Cope signed the brochure. It has an estimate of £100-£150 and will be sold in Hansons’ May 23 Football in Focus Auction.
The Wilmslow event also uncovered, rather surprisingly, an impressive batch of 1940s football programmes relating to the club I support – Derby County. They have been valued at £1,400.
The valuation day sparked more trips to Wilmslow – we offer free home valuations for major collections or large items – and Alistair went on to consign vintage Manchester United programmes from the Sir Matt Busby managerial years, together worth £400-£500.
Being a huge football fan myself, I was delighted to see so many sporting treasures emerge in Cheshire. Our Football in Focus and Sports Memorabilia Auctions are very successful and attract national and international buyers, so do contact Alistair if you would like a free assessment.
Jewellery and designer watches are also in demand right now and Hansons’ head of jewellery Helen Smith will be at our next free valuation event in Wilmslow.
Helen says all types of antique jewellery is selling well right now, gold and diamonds are rising in value and designer watches are soaring to success.
For example, in our April jewellery auction Lot 351, an 18 carat gold, 2017, Audemars Piguet Automatic Royal Oak gent’s watch sold for £19,500. And last year, a rare circa 1970 Tudor Rolex Montecarlo steel wristwatch, bought in the early 1970s for £300 and worn in the garden, sold for £51,100.
Helen Smith will be at The Coach and Four, 69/71 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1PA, on April 18, May 16 and June 20, 11am-2pm. To arrange a free jewellery valuation, please email Hansons’ head of jewellery Helen Smith: [email protected]. To arrange a free sporting memorabilia valuation, email [email protected]
