More strange juxtapositions from our local auction house; as so often the sting is in the tail. My heart sinks whenever I see words like “interesting”, “unusual”, “mixed”, “impressive” or “decorative” because you know what follows is going to be miscellaneous toot.
A mixed lot to include an oval tray with glass bottom set with butterflies, Hon. Artillery Company notebooks, an autograph book, Boots the Chemist cylindrical cardboard box, Nymph ladies’ razor set, etc.
A collection of loose stamps, mainly UK from Victoria on, some in part sheets, also USA and other countries and an early pair of ski boots
A collection of ethnic wooden carvings including men in a boat, a figure of an Oriental man, two busts, face masks, etc.
A decorative lot to include an onyx and brass floor-standing ashtray, three enamelled trinket boxes, vases, six Faberge glasses with bird decoration to the stems, a tureen in the form of a duck and a collection of various plates
A Mills bomb grenade number 36M, an ARP whistle, three cased razors, one by Wilkinsons [sic] Sword
Approximately three hundred thimbles, mainly in display cases, including those made of china, glass and enamelled, encompassing commemorative, Disney and religious
A quantity of old photographs in wooden frames, an old blood pressure machine, vintage wrapping paper, a quantity of items including binoculars, box Brownie cameras, decorative mantel clock, wooden bowls, a framed mirror, folding table, a pair of small footstools
A vintage Bugs Bunny pull-string soft toy and an old teddy bear
A collection of African and Indonesian wall masks depicting deities and others, a large wall fan depicting a rural village scene and a decorative bow and arrow
A Neato XV21 new and boxed pet and allergy vacuum, plus a glass yard of ale
A collection of vintage tins and items including Oxo, a Betty Boop wooden cut-out, and two 1950s/60s wooden cut-out tray holders and bases including that of a ballerina and another of a Hawaiian lady, brass ornaments including horses, a turned wood-handled warming pan, a Sparklets soda fountain, cased tennis racket and other interesting items
Three shelves of boxed Asian dolls and figurines, plus Indonesian wall masks, decorative wooden elephants, figurines, boxes, etc.
A Bolex Paillard movie camera, a Kodak Retinette camera, boxed prawn cocktail set, a collection of part tea services, two silver-plated goblets and silver-plated box, Royal Adderley flower ornaments, cake plate and matching servers, a boxed sewing machine, camera case, a brass companion set and irons, etc.
Two similar impressive two-handled [sic] swords with ornate brass hilts and turned grips, 64 and 66 ins
[They mean “two-handed” and they were obviously made for display purposes]
A collection of mainly 19th century glassware and pewter, comprising: eight various rummers, a Nailsea-type rolling pin, Bohemian amber beaker, a roemer, blue float, two sugar crushers, four Georgian pewter plates, two mugs, two prize-loving cups, mustard pot, stopper, Indian copper spoon and a hardwood club
An impressive Italian reproduction clock garniture in marble and gilt and bronzed metal, the clock with German mechanical movement, the side pieces as candelabra for five lights
[This, together with the following item (both pictured) are about the most hideous things I’ve seen in a very long time]

 
A pair of elaborate Japanese bronze vases, each with dragon handles and bird panels, with detachable necks…
A set of vintage pine stepladders and a vintage pine stool, also a Stanley 2 3/8 inch boxed plane and a Marcons heavy metal iron
[Guess what, the step-ladders look like old-fashioned wooden, paint-splattered rickety step-ladders, like the ones your father had in the shed and which are probably safest in the tip!]
A hydraulic palette truck/lifter
A good selection of items including vintage tennis racquets, a small collection of brass animals by Manuhm, an old child’s toy dachshund in original box, an Imari plate, oil on canvas, picnic basket, vintage cricket set, walking canes and sticks, one with a silver top
A pair of watercolours of exotic birds, a vintage golf bag and clubs, a Windsor voltometer, two Pathe vintage projectors, and box, a brass jam pan, leather attache case, metal cash box, etc.
Two vintage part-metal signs, one Rowntrees(?), with royal warrant for HM the King, the second a brewer’s sign, and a mirror
[“part-metal” = pieces of metal!]
Hallmarked silver coaster, silver bladed fruit knife ‘the Metropolitan’, a whistle by J Hudson and Co, Birmingham, Military badges, a silver pencil case and bracelet, a small quantity of jewellery, decimal coins and an old chocolate tin containing a photograph memoriam cards, 1937 Coronation map, an old premium bond etc.
A mid 20C bedroom chair with a 5 sided back upholstered in a funky floral fabric…
Well, OK, I’ve seen a lot worse; at least there are no badly stuffed ferrets. Although there is enough alcohol to float a battleship and enough cigars to keep Winston Churchill going for several lifetimes.