Antique valuation day uncovers rare collection

Hansons Auctioneers recently uncovered a collection of suffragette items at their regular venue for free antiques valuations, the Coach and Four, Alderley Road, Wilmslow.

Valuations are free but donations are invited for Francis House, and earlier in the summer the Derbyshire based valuers, sold the collection found in a cubby hole under the stairs when a relative’s house was being cleared out.

Items brought along by the owner included badges, sashes and more than 100 period postcards relating to the political fight.

After instructing the auction house to sell the collection if they were worth more than £150, they were then put into auction with an estimate of £1,000-£1,500.

The owners were left crying with shock and joy when their items soared way beyond their humble expectations and fetched an incredible £16,000.

The hugely rich political archive was bought by London-based historian, author and dealer in suffragette memorabilia Elizabeth Crawford, OBE.

The auction house is now gathering items for their autumn Fine Art, Jewellery, Gentleman’s Library and Decorative Arts auctions.

If you would like to discover the value of your collectibles and make a donation to Francis House, bring along your antiques, watch and jewellery for valuation to the Coach and Four on August 16, September 20, October 18 and November 15, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.