Two ‘shell-shocked’ sisters said their jaws hit the floor as they watched an autograph book – found in their mum’s garage – sell for 10 times its estimate at auction.
Retired civil servants Nicky Lane, 69, and sister Karen Douglas, 68, from Bath, travelled to Hansons’ Auctioneers’ Derbyshire saleroom to watch a collection of sports memorabilia – which could easily have been thrown away – go under the hammer.
And they were reduced to tears as excitement sparked emotion in a drama-filled sale. Nicky said: “It was the most thrilling three hours of our lives. We were completely shell shocked for the rest of the day to be honest. We just kept looking at each other as the bids came in. When the autograph book reached £5,000 we were amazed but it just kept going up and up.”
The autograph album from the golden age of cricket originally belonged to Gladys Douglas, sister of renowned cricketer Johnny Douglas (JWHT Douglas, 1882-1930). It contained signatures of eminent cricketers and was guided at £800-£1,200. After an intense bidding battle, it eventually sold to a private UK buyer for £11,600.
It was part of a rich archive of Douglas memorabilia found in the Bath garage by the sisters. After losing their mother at the age of 92 in 2021, they had to clear her property. However, they left the garage until last because it was full of spiders.
When they finally braved its dark corners, they found an old suitcase packed with memorabilia relating to the former England and Essex cricketer. In addition, a box stashed behind a meter cupboard held an ancient silver tankard awarded to iconic English bare-knuckle prize fighter Tom Sayers (1826-1865). The mid-19th Century Canadian silver presentation tankard, hallmarked by Savage & Lyman, Montreal, circa 1855-60, sold for £5,000.
The same collection, which had been in the garage since 1985, included a writing album belonging to Gladys Douglas which made £1,900 and a signed photo of the Australian Cricket team in England, 1921, £1,150. The items came to auction through family descent. The sisters are granddaughters of Johnny Douglas’s brother Cecil ‘Pickles’ Douglas, a renowned and respected boxing referee.
Nicky said: “What a rollercoaster-ride the auction was. We couldn’t believe the prices obtained. The autograph album was such a shock – £11,600. Who’d ever have guessed it would make that? We thought we’d be lucky to get the top end of the estimates. In the end, they were almost all exceeded.
“Our dad would never have believed it. Whilst we were aware of JWHT’s fame it was all so long ago – basically 100 years. Who would have thought people would still be so interested, and prepared to pay so much, for these old photos.
“We thank our lucky stars that our mum wasn’t one for throwing anything away, otherwise the photos could have been long gone and the silver melted down. That would have been such a shame as they’re now bringing joy to so many people.”
The finds flabbergasted antiques experts and auctioneers Richard Madley and Charlie Ross, who were invited to assess the memorabilia. They also auctioned the lots together with Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers.
Richard, one of the world’s leading sports auctioneers based in Wiltshire, said: “For me, making discoveries like this is a labour of love. No one had looked at this rare archive for decades. Douglas was a phenomenal character, an all-rounder who played for Essex from 1911 to 1928. He also captained the England team before and after the First World War.”
Charles Hanson said: “The results well and truly bowled us over. I’m absolutely delighted for Nicky and Karen. It was a joy to have them with us in the saleroom to see the hammer fall. It was Hansons’ maiden Cricket and Boxing Memorabilia Auction and every single lot sold. That has to say something about the world’s enduring love for this great sport.”
The Cricket and Boxing Memorabilia Auction was held at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall, Derbyshire, on January 22, 2022. To arrange a free valuation of sports memorabilia, email David Wilson-Turner: [email protected].
