Eldreds Antiques & Fine Art sale on 28th March is shaping up nicely with an interesting selection of silver and jewellery on offer. Amongst the silver section of the sale can be found a “castle top” box; a Victorian souvenir at the height of their popularity between 1830 and 1860 and depicting well-known castles, stately homes, monuments and cathedrals. Usually in the form of a card case or vinaigrette, the location is embossed in high relief or engraved on the lid. Card cases became extremely popular during the late-18th and 19th centuries; calling cards were the social media and etiquette of the day amongst the wealthy and fashionable, with a strict set of rules to follow and would express such sentiments as condolence, congratulations and the wish, if timed correctly, for an invite to tea. Owing to the fact that castle-top items were manufactured over a limited time, these treasures have become highly collectable and makers to look out for include George Unite, Alfred Taylor and Nathaniel Mills. The example in Eldreds sale of silver and jewellery is by George Unite and is of St Pauls Cathedral viewed from the North West. The card case measures 10.5 x 7cm, is hallmarked for George Unite, Birmingham 1845 and carries an estimate of £800-1,000.

A large collection of over 150 Charlie Bears has arrived at Eldreds, looking for new homes, with some designed by Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Morris at The Bearhouse in Launceston, Cornwall and many others designed by award-winning bear artist Isabelle Lee. These characterful bears are lovingly made by hand in relatively small numbers and are sure to delight and enchant. The collection includes everything from instantly recognisable bear varieties such as the Red Panda, to many imaginative examples having multi-coloured fur and dressed in outfits or carrying accessories. A pair of Sun Bears named Milli and Toni were produced to celebrate their rescue from poachers in Cambodia to a new life of care in Chester Zoo and are estimated at £60-80 for the pair. According to their creators, “It’s always the bears that choose you”, so come and have some fun on our viewing days and see which bear wants you to take them home! The Charlie Bear collection will be offered for sale at Eldreds specialist spring auction of collectables, books, stamps, coins, medals & toys, on Tuesday 7th March at 10.00am. Viewing for the sale will be on Saturday 4th March 9.00am-12noon and Monday 6th March 9.00am-5.00pm. Illustrated catalogue available now on this website.

A flow of quality items, jewellery, silver and watches continues to arrive at Eldreds for our spring auctions, with the latest consignment including a ladies' very smart Breitling wrist watch with diamond bezel, a Victorian gold and topaz cross pendant and a pair of good-quality diamond stud earrings, each of approximately one carat, which expects between £1,000 and £2,000. Also brought in for Eldreds experienced gemmology team to assess was a very unusual early-20th century brooch of saphiret glass carved into the shape of a moon face, surrounded by a horseshoe of white paste stones and set in a gilt mount. Saphiret jewellery pieces were made in a particular region of Czechoslovakia for only a small period of time due to the high production costs involved from mixing gold with sapphire blue-coloured glass; the technique producing a fusion of beautiful colour tones and iridescence. Motifs and intaglios such as the example consigned for Eldreds sale were made in the early period of saphiret production and other than jewellery, examples of saphiret glass can be found in photograph frames and other trinkets of the period. This rare little brooch is estimated at £100-120 and is sure to interest collectors.

Two exciting recent finds will be sure to set the saleroom alight during Eldreds spring Collectors’ Sale on 7th March. Recently unearthed in local garages and both barely visible underneath a heap of boxes and garage paraphernalia, are two classic cars, each proving to be a relatively rare example of their make and model. First, we have an Austin Mini Metro 1.3L HLS 3-door hatchback motor car, discovered in a Plympton garage, registration number POD 435W, in a sandy beige colour with “Paprika” interior upholstery. With one owner since new and extremely low mileage, this beauty was bought from Mumford of Plymouth in February 1981 for £3,517 and has been garaged and undriven since 1984. The odometer reads just 1007 miles!! Sold with its original registration document and service history this makes an excellent restoration project for a keen Metro collector. A second treasure discovered sleeping in a Tavistock garage is a blue Citroën BX 19 DTR 5-door diesel estate car, registration number G276 RNF and first sold in 1990. This one runs and has 89,000 on the clock. Sold with SORN but no original documents, its relative scarcity and good condition should attract interest from Citroën enthusiasts at £1,000 -£1,500. For more information contact Eldreds on (01752) 721199, [email protected] Both cars will be offered for sale at the start of our Collectors’ auction on Tuesday 7th March at 10.00am and will be available to view from Friday 3rd March.