Rare Dambusters map set to soar at auction
A map used in the legendary WWII Dambusters raid is set to fetch up to £1,000 at Hansons’ militaria sale on November 12 — a rare link to one of history’s most daring missions.
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HANSONS AUCTIONEERS · NEWS & STORIES
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Discover remarkable auction finds, extraordinary results, expert insights and stories from Hansons salerooms across the UK.
Gunpowder plotter’s gold ring could ignite auction interest
A 16th-century gold ring inscribed “Yovr Frende in Deede” - possibly linked to Gunpowder Plot mastermind Robert Catesby - has been unearthed near his Warwickshire birthplace and is expected to fetch £8,000–£12,000 at auction on November 27.
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Rare £20 note issued in Leeds in 1918 could sell for £800 at auction
An exceptionally rare 1918 Bank of England £20 note issued in Leeds is expected to fetch £500–£800 at Hansons’ upcoming coin sale. Signed by chief cashier E.M. Harvey, the note offers a fascinating glimpse into Britain’s WWI banking history and is among the last of the elegant handwritten-style “white notes.”
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Brew-tiful ending: Teapot Island’s 8,500 novelty pots go to a new museum
Kent’s famous Teapot Island collection of over 8,500 novelty teapots has been sold to a Bournemouth collector who plans to open a new museum in their honour. The sale, handled by Hansons Auctioneers, ensures the world-famous collection stays together - and on public display.
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Gotta bid ’em all! Vintage Pokémon cards smash auction expectations
A rare set of vintage Pokémon cards has sold for £2,965, smashing its estimate and setting the stage for Hansons’ Pokémon Day Auction on February 27, 2026 — celebrating 30 years of the global phenomenon.
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From Pence to Thousands: Why Charles Hanson is Urging You to Value Your Old Pokémon Cards Now
With Pokémon’s 30th anniversary approaching, vintage cards are fetching thousands. Charles Hanson urges fans to value their old collections ahead of a special sale next February.
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Rare Victorian dummy set to attract some smart bidding
Visitors to Hansons Auctioneers in Banbury are being greeted by an unusual Guy Fawkes — a rare 19th-century life-sized artist’s mannequin once owned by renowned sculptor James Butler RA. Affectionately known as Gladys, the figure has been a treasured part of the Butler family for over 40 years and is expected to fetch up to £800 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons’ Holloway saleroom on November 19.
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TV star Eric Knowles kickstarts a bumper programme of free valuations
A bronze statue of Sir Ken Dodd, created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson, was among the treasures found by TV expert Eric Knowles during a valuation day at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall. The event also uncovered rare ceramics — with more free valuation sessions planned, starting November 8 with Darren Claxton.
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Rare photos from the set of Harry Potter could spell success at auction
A unique archive of 224 behind-the-scenes Harry Potter photos and a first edition of The Philosopher’s Stone will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall, on October 29. The sale, curated by Rare Book Auctions, offers fans a rare glimpse into film and literary history.
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TV auctioneer is seeking Scotland’s undiscovered treasures
TV Auctioneer Charles Hanson will visit Scotland on November 17 to uncover hidden treasures. Locals can bring antiques to Lockerbie Town Hall (10am–12.30pm) and Moffat Town Hall (2.30pm–6pm) for free valuations.
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The Late John Parrott collection of Staffordshire figures offered for sale
A remarkable collection of over 160 Staffordshire figures from the late antiques dealer John Parrott, lovingly amassed over 50 years, will be offered at Hansons Auctioneers on October 30. The sale features fine early and Victorian examples by makers including Ralph Wood and Enoch Wood.
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Electric Daimler set to speed past its guide price of £80,000
A 1923 Daimler D16, once owned by the Duke of Hamilton, could fetch up to £80,000 when it goes under the hammer this week. Now fully electric after a year-long conversion, the century-old classic combines royal history with modern innovation. It will be offered by Hansons Auctioneers at their Staffordshire saleroom on October 26.
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Rare Sooty puppet set to soar for youngsters’ space charity
A “retired” Sooty puppet, used on TV by puppeteer Richard Cadell, could fetch up to £2,000 at Hansons, Etwall, on 23rd October. Donated to the space charity MajorTim.space, Sooty will be joined by Soo, signed by Brenda Longman, with proceeds helping inspire young people in science and space.
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Original Sooty and Soo to go under the hammer
An original Sooty and Soo, gifted by The Sooty Show creator Harry Corbett in the 1960s, could sell for up to £6,000 this week. The puppets were given to Donna Paris, whose father performed as Sweep, and come with exceptional provenance — a true piece of British TV history, says Hansons’ Steve Fulford.
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Charles Hanson – the man with the golden gavel – raising money for a good cause
TV auctioneer Charles Hanson has swapped the gavel for a paintbrush, decorating a giant golden gavel for the Gavel Art Trail. On show at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom until October 31, it will be auctioned on November 6 to raise funds for brain and children’s health charities.
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Derbyshire’s Brampton stoneware races past its estimate
Three lots of 19th-century Brampton stoneware made in Chesterfield surpassed estimates at Hansons Auctioneers’ recent sale. Highlights included a set of four pipes selling for £2,050 against a £70–£90 guide, reflecting strong demand for the region’s distinctive salt-glazed pottery and industrial heritage.
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Cracked vase discovered to be a rare Ming treasure sells for £130,000
A vase once stored in a loft and valued at £100 has sold for £130,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ Derby saleroom. The rare Ming dynasty piece, dating from the Xuande period (1426–1435), sparked fierce bidding from collectors in China.
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The Arthur Askey collection celebrates one of the true greats of British comedy
Funny man Arthur Askey’s lifetime of showbiz memorabilia and personal treasures are set for auction – revealing the popularity and legacy of the “grandfather” British comedy.
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Her Royal Cryness, rare baby clothes worn by Queen Victoria appear at auction
Baby clothes worn by Queen Victoria — including tiny booties, socks and a bonnet — are expected to fetch over £1,000 at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on October 9, offering a rare glimpse into the monarch’s early childhood.
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Rare 1940s radio, scrapped for looking like a Japanese flag, dials up interest
A rare 1948 Pye M78F radio, recalled after public outcry over its resemblance to the Japanese flag, is set for auction at Hansons on October 10. Once burned by the maker, surviving examples are now highly prized, estimated at £700–£1,000.
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Unseen cartoon by The Wind in the Willows illustrator Ernest H Shepard up for sale
An unseen 1953 cartoon by The Wind in the Willows illustrator Ernest H Shepard, gifted to artist Harold Riley, is set for auction at Hansons with a £300–£500 estimate. The sketch shows Ratty by the fire and includes a charming handwritten note signed “Uncle Ernest.”
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