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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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On a chilly autumn evening nothing beats a warming nip by a roaring fire. But could your drinks trolley be worth a fortune, asks Charles Hanson

That dusty drinks trolley in the corner could be worth more than you think. From forgotten whiskies to rare liqueurs like Chartreuse, Charles Hanson reveals how bottles once bought for celebrations are now fetching surprising sums at auction. Before you pour anything away, it might just pay to take a closer look…

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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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A slice of history in the shape of wedding cake from one of the most famous unions in history goes under the hammer this week , writes Charles Hanson

I recently came across a piece of cake from Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 1947 wedding, gifted by the young princess herself to Cyril Dickman, her much-loved royal butler who served the family for 50 years. Known as the “10,000-mile cake,” it was made with ingredients from across the Commonwealth and even cut with Prince Philip’s sword - a beautiful reminder of love, loyalty, and a moment that brought a nation together.

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An upcoming exhibition of work by Joseph Wright of Derby shines a light on the city’s most famous artistic son, writes dedicated fan Charles Hanson

When people ask who I’d invite to my dream dinner party, my answer is always Joseph Wright of Derby. His mastery of light and devotion to our city make him, to me, one of the world’s greatest artists. As his works head to the National Gallery, I’m reminded how proud I am of Derbyshire’s rich artistic heritage — from Wright’s genius to George Turner’s pastoral beauty.

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Ingenious walking sticks stride past their estimate in Oxford

A collection of 21 walking sticks and gadget canes stunned at Hansons’ Oxford saleroom, selling for £3,270 against a £950 guide. Highlights ranged from sword and telescope canes to ingenious designs dubbed by Jasper Marsh as “the Swiss Army knife of the 19th century.”

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Lifetime collection of 250 bayonets is a cut above

A collection of fearsome bayonets used in conflicts around the world is expected to make £15,000 when it goes under the hammer in Richmond. The 250 blades, used to fight the enemy in the Trenches, Boer War and WWII, were collected over a lifetime.

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