A collection of antique treasures that were discovered inside a hoarder’s home are now tipped to sell for more than £50,000 when they go up for auction.
The ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of antiques, including eight grandfather clocks, an organ and an 18th century coffer, were found buried under hundreds of bags and boxes inside the terraced property in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
The Victorian house that belonged to an antiques dealer was cleared and the treasure chest discovered.
He spent more than 40 years hoarding valuable objects in his house. His family is now moving into a smaller home. However, he will be putting his antiques on the market.
Hansons Auctioneers, who will be conducting the auction, said they found a classic 1956 Morris Minor in the garage of the property – which is valued at £6,000 – during their clearance of the property.
In the West Midlands terraced home in Wolverhampton (West Midlands), the collection of antique treasures was found hidden under hundreds upon hundreds of boxes and bags.
Experts found eight grandfather clocks, plus more than 400 other antique items in the Victorian townhouse that belonged to an elderly antiques dealer.
Inside the property was an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of antiques, including a Staffordshire creamware mug (left), which could fetch £200 at auction, and a Welsh stick chair (right) which is being guided at £600-£800
Experts also found a mahogany shipwright’s chest packed with tools, which could sell for £1,000, and a 1790s Staffordshire creamware mug plucked from a box of worthless pottery – which is tipped to fetch £200.
Also inside the property was a collection of bicycles in the loft and a coffer which is estimated to fetch between £150 and £250.
You could also find teddies that were dressed in silver, including pocket watches and bicycles.
Charles Hanson of Hansons Auctioneers, who cleared the house said that it was a true Aladdin’s Cave with objects collected over 60 years.
“The house was filled with hundreds and thousands of things that had been thrown together.
“But, far from being worthless, many antiques emerged, including high-quality furniture like a stunning 18th century coffer that was hidden completely from public view.
‘The coffer has an estimate of £150-£250. Another great find was a Welsh stick chair which is being guided at £600-£800.
“The house used to be owned by an elderly gentleman who lived there. We discovered quality antiques shops that were run by him.
“We often come across passionate collectors who have amassed hundreds of items because they are interested in their hobbies.
Experts discovered an original 1956 Morris Minor ‘Split Screen’, which is valued at £5,000-£6,000, inside the property in Wolverhampton
Hansons Auctioneers, who will be conducting the auction, uncovered a mahogany shipwright’s chest packed with tools which could sell for upwards of £1,000
Also inside the property, which belonged to a retired antiques dealer, was a coffer which is estimated to fetch between £150 and £250
“But it can lead to hoarding over the long-term, particularly as time passes. This is not uncommon – it’s almost an American pastime.
“All of us have the tendency to hold on to what we love or believe we will need again.
“This man collected many objects.
‘For example, he had numerous watch parts in a repair room and we uncovered a mahogany shipwright’s chest packed with tools which could sell for upwards of £1,000.
“There was another surprise inside the garage. It housed an original 1956 Morris Minor ‘Split Screen’ – a great classic car discovery valued at £5,000-£6,000.
“There were also quite some bicycles in the loft space, some of them vintage. The roof hatch was large enough for them to pass through, and the ceiling has been reinforced.
“A collection of teddies was another sweet find.
Although the toys had little intrinsic value, some were dressed up with pocket watches in silver.
“We continued to search through boxes and cupboards for treasures, and they kept coming up unexpectedly.
‘For example, a circa 1790 Staffordshire creamware mug valued at up to £200 was plucked from a box of worthless pottery.
His family is going to auction his valuable antiques.
The collection of antique treasures, including eight grandfather clocks, an organ and an 18th century coffer, are now tipped to sell for more than £50,000 when they go up for auction
It was filled with treasures and it is a true collector’s heaven.
According to our sources, the owners moved in 1957 and carpeting was almost impossible to see by 1957.
“It’s hard to quit collecting antiques if you’ve spent your entire life in it.
“A fascination for all things historical, quirky and old is what attracts you to the industry.”
“We can now offer an entire new generation of collectors interesting and unique items because we have a retired antique shop owner who is a keen observer of quality vintage finds and antiques.”
The sale by Hansons Auctioneers, of Etwall, Derbyshire, takes place on January 29.