Four collectables estimated under £500 including pottery chess pieces
28 October 2019 Previews of upcoming lots at auctions on the-saleroom.com including two characterful chess pieces made by Poole Pottery designer Guy Sydenham.1. Mickey Mouse papier-mâché masks
The toys sale at Keys in Aylsham, Norfolk, on October 30 will include two rare Mickey Mouse papier-mâché masks made under licence in Germany in the early 1930s.
Relatively few of these early style marks (also made in the UK and France at the time) have survived in such good condition. The estimate is £200-300. View and bid for lot here on the-saleroom.com.
2. First World War memorabilia
During the First World War many fundraising events were organised to provide aid to wounded soldiers. Thousands of British women of all classes became involved in Voluntary Aid Detachments and some put their organisational skills to use by setting up and running their own war charities.
Particularly popular were ‘flag-days’, when small colourful paper flags, emblems and badges were sold for a penny or more each. Agnes Brysson Morrison, the daughter of an Edinburgh lawyer, is credited with starting the movement that would raise over £25m.
Although produced in large numbers, these paper flags were quickly discarded and are surprisingly rare today. A collection of 47 different ‘penny flags’ will form part of Sworders’ Homes and Interiors sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on October 29.
Each pin is dated in the album (from March 10, 1915 to April 25, 1917) with examples including the fabric pink rose for Queen Alexandra’s Rose Charity (June 21, 1916); Help Russia (July 4, 1916) and YMCA Hut Day. The YMCA opened hostels for soldiers on leave and awaiting training who had to stay overnight in London – these were known as huts.
The collection is estimated at £80-120. View the auction here on the-saleroom.com.
3. Novelty Victorian vesta case
The sale of Antique and Modern Fishing tackle at Mullock’s of Church Stretton, Shropshire, on November 1-2 includes this novelty Victorian electroplated vesta case modelled as a fishing creel.
Estimate £80-120. View and bid for lot here on the-saleroom.com.
4. Two pottery chess pieces
These two characterful salt glaze stoneware chess pieces are by Guy Sydenham (1916-2005) who is best known as modeller for some of Poole Pottery’s most adventurous designs of the 1960s-70s.
These models, the queen standing just over 4in (11cm) high, are both signed to the base. The pair is expected to sell for £300-500 at the Roseberys’ auction titled Design: Decorative Arts 1860 To The Present Day in West Norwood, south London, on November 4.
View and bid for lot here on the-saleroom.com.