A monumental lifetime collection of cinema memorabilia, which survived an IRA bomb, goes under the hammer this weekend in Newark <august 9>.
The haul of 2,500 film posters, lobby cards and autographs was built up over 70 years by film buff Steve Ellison.
It had been on sale at his shop in the Corn Exchange in Manchester when a bomb ripped through the building in 1996.
His daughter, Jayne Maclean, said: “Luckily dad wasn’t hurt but he remembers the glass shattering everywhere and landing on his beloved posters.”
After the bombing, the shop – dubbed Steve’s World Famous Movie Store – moved to Rochdale. After trading stopped, he shipped the collection to his retirement bungalow in Wigan.
Steve’s love of the big screen started as a young schoolboy.
Jayne continued: “Dad’s dad was a cinema projectionist, which was great but also meant dad only got to see the end of films when he called in on his way back from school. It piqued his interest and made him determined to watch the whole movie – which sparked a lifelong interest.”
Before long friends were passing on their collections to him, and he built a reputation for his encyclopaedic knowledge of films, as well as growing number of posters and star-studded autographs.
As well as running a successful business he was soon supplying props for some of the UK’s biggest TV programmes.
Jayne continued: “If any of the soaps need a poster for a particular set, they would call on dad. If Coronation Street needed posters for, say, Dev’s bedroom, or EastEnders needed a poster for the Queen Vic dad would supply it.”
Soon Steve was rubbing shoulders with the stars including Barbara Windsor, Ken Dodd and even Kenny Baker who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars franchise.
Jayne continued: “Dad kept up friendships with the stars long after their heyday
From the earliest days of Hollywood, to recent blockbusters, there is hardly a film not represented in the incredible haul.
For years after Steve stopped trading, they posters were crammed into the family’s small bungalow.
Jayne said: “You couldn’t move for film posters – they were everywhere, jammed in every room and every doorway.”
Now Jayne and stepmum Jennifer have made the painful decision to sell the collection.
Auctioneer, Steve Witts from Hansons Auctioneers, said: “I have never seen anything like it. There are boxes and boxes of some of the most iconic films ever made. We are delighted to help Jayne and Jen find a new home for Steve’s collection and pay tribute to a remarkable collector and his incredible film knowledge.”
The collection will be sold in 75 lots at The Auction Room, Hansons Newark, 17 Northgate, Newark, NG24 1EX on 9th August 10am, with viewing of the collection available on Friday 8th August.
Auction Details
Auction: Newark August Silver, Jewellery, Watch, Antiques & Collectors Auction
Auction end date: 9th August 2025 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Newark Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
