Wartime memorabilia is hugely sought after at auction and an expert in the field is coming to Staffordshire Regimental Museum in a bid to uncover historical treasures.
Adrian Stevenson, head of coins, medals and militaria at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers, will be offering free militaria and general valuations at the venue at Whittington Barracks, Whittington, on Friday October 18, 10am-1pm. And, if you like what you hear, items can be entered into Hansons’ Medals and Militaria Auction on November 22.
Mr Stevenson, who has 40 years of expertise, said: “Militaria items regularly fetch thousands of pounds at auction with demand from collectors worldwide.
“Very often, we uncover forgotten wartime photograph albums, gallantry medals and even weapons. One lady found a Boer War photo album under her bed. I’d love to love see what the people of Staffordshire can unearth for me.
“To give people some idea of what sells, in one militaria sale, Second World War gallantry medals were in great demand. For example, an RAF officer’s Distinguished Flying Cross group, with log books, fetched £3,000 (Lot 498) while an RAF Distinguished Flying Medal group achieved £1,700 (lot 507).
“An interesting Polish Medal group to a father and son who both fought at Monte Cassino, in Italy, in 1944 made £1,350 (Lot 496).
“Meanwhile, military aviator watches are sought after with a Second World War German Luftwaffe pilot/navigator watch selling for £1,700.
“Good Third Reich daggers are popular with collectors and demand was high with all examples in the sale being sold with prices ranging from £1,500 for a TeNo dagger (Lot 646) and £1,200 for an SS man’s dagger (Lot 736) down to £200 for a good example of a Hitler Youth dagger, which realised £200.
“Japanese Swords also command a lot of interest from around the world with a good Second World War Imperial Japanese army officer’s sword selling for £520 (Lot 767).
“Items from the First World War continue to be sought after with, once again, British Gallantry Medal groups leading the way with two military medal groups selling for £850 (lot 479) and £620 respectively. Lot 479 included a Sherwood Forester’s First World War diary from the trenches.
“In addition, a good pair of First World War British leather ammunition pouches and bayonet frog sold for £560.”
Adrian Stevenson will be at Staffordshire Regimental Museum, Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Staffordshire, WS14 9PY, on Friday October 18, 10am-1pm. General antique valuations can also available. To find out more, call Carol Jones on 07802 839915. To arrange a private militaria valuation, email: [email protected]. Entries invited until November 1 for the next Medals and Militaria Auction at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire.
