A north Cumbrian auction house is hosting its first ever transport and maritime sale.
The online auction run by Mitchells of Cockermouth started yesterday and will run over the Christmas period until January 8.
The sale includes everything from car mascots, badges and vintage car registration plates to road signs, travel books, cruise-related novelties and railway lamps.
It also features a very interesting collection of maritime themed lots, including naval photographs and ephemera, from a local collector.
For railway enthusiasts, the star lot is a Furness Railway three aspect hand lamp dating from around the late 19th or early 20th century.
The lamp is 30cm tall and has brass plated sides marked Messengers Patent Corrugated Lamp, F.R.C. No.2, Furness Railway Company Manufactured by Messengers & Sons, Birmingham and Nethertown. The outer glass front is intact with the burner and reservoir inside.
Since Furness Railway collectables usually command high prices at auction, this lot is expected to sell for around £2,500-£3,500.
Collectors of railway ephemera will also be interested in a metal railway ticket cabinet dating from the 1980s containing approximately 500 card tickets for the London SR line, including stations such as Whitton and Richmond. The metre square cabinet should make £150-£250.
If air travel is more your style, a Second World War RAF B-type flying helmet is also for sale with an auction estimate of £200-£300. Manufactured by G Waddington & Son Ltd in brown leather with label to the interior dated 1940, the helmet has zipped ear pieces, a chin strap and wiring with plug.
A substantial sized wing section from a 1950s Percival Provost trainer aircraft, a model which was in service with the RAF during the 50s and 60s, is also for sale with an estimate of £100-£150.
And for those who prefer to travel by sea, maritime themed lots include several ships’ lanterns. Amongst them is a William Harvie & Co. Ltd of Birmingham copper and brass ship’s masthead lantern, with maker’s plaque, which is 47cm high and has an estimate £150-£250.
An interesting surviving shipping poster referencing John Glaister and a journey from Maryport to Liverpool, which has been framed and mounted, should make £50-£80.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells
Lots will also be on view in the Lorton Street saleroom on January 4 from 10am to 7pm. Anyone requiring more information about lots featured in the auction should contact auctioneers James Forster or Ewan Duff on 01900 827800.
