Toilet paper which is believed to date back to the Second World War or even earlier has been discovered during the clearance and auction of the contents of a Georgian mansion.
Two boxes crammed with rolls and sheets of decades-old but pristine toilet paper were found in a cupboard at Bishton Hall in Staffordshire, a property which dates back to circa 1750.
During the last few days, the contents of the house have been sold by Hansons Auctioneers with everything from magnificent paintings and furniture to a 1958 Land Rover, which made £19,500, going under the hammer.
But random cupboard finds have been stealing the show. On Monday (Oct 15), a rare first edition copy of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, sold for £65,000 after being discovered by chance in a Bishton Hall cupboard days before the auctions got under way on October 10.
And this week the toilet roll find was made while final preparations were taking place ahead of Farewell to Bishton Hall – The Attic Sale, which takes place today (October 19).
“We thought there were no more surprises left at this magnificent property but Bishton has delighted us to the end,” said Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons.
“The stocks of toilet paper were in a kitchen cupboard along with a children’s gas mask. We were just tidying things up at the hall and came across the ancient supplies.
“The paper’s a bit rough compared to today’s ultra-soft, fragranced varieties, somewhat utilitarian in fact in a sombre shade of beige. But this was wartime. The nation had bigger things to attend to than the colour of its toilet roll. I’m sure it served its country well.”
Sheets of beige toilet paper held together by wrappers emblazoned with ‘County Toilet Paper, A Quality Product, Made in England’ were found together with rolls of a more waxy toilet paper variety.
“In the 1940s, the days of rationing and austerity, many families used newspaper as toilet paper, cut into sheets and placed on a string,” said Mr Hanson.
“And the older generation will remember Izal toilet paper, a rather scratchy version impregnated with Izal disinfectant and often found in public service buildings.
“Like everything else, toilet roll, and toilets, have a rich history, and the British have played a major part in making sure we flush with pride.”
Farewell to Bishton – The Attic Sale takes place at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, on Friday, October 19 at noon. To find out more, visit www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
