During November and early December the Canal & River Trust is auctioning over 100 items of waterways memorabilia.
The memorabilia came to light when a trawl to identify important canal artefacts and documents hidden away in the Trust’s yards across the South East also turned up memorabilia which may be of interest to canal lovers. None of the items have been assessed as being suitable to add to the Trust’s national collection.
The Trust now plans to auction items ranging from disused British Waterways signs which it may be able to find a new home for, to copies of prints of a Grand Junction Canal distance table and cross section profile. Each will be available for people to view and buy via eBay and could make a great gift for Christmas.
Assessing which items are acceptable for sale has involved a range of experts and volunteers, including specialists in heritage and archives. Important artefacts are being retained and transferred to the Trust’s national collection and archive. So far, this includes over 16 artefacts including the original Grand Junction Canal distance table and cross section profile.
Nigel Crowe, head of heritage at the Canal & River Trust, says: “It’s great that canal lovers can own a piece of waterways memorabilia which could make some great gifts for Christmas.
“And more significantly, the trawl of offices and yards has unearthed some particularly noteworthy items with heritage value which we are transferring to the national collection and archive where they can be proudly made available for public display.”
The proceeds from the memorabilia sale will be used to help look after the Trust’s waterways.
Anyone with questions should please get in touch with Jennifer.green@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Each item will be listed on eBay for seven days. Auctions for the first items will start on 4th November and the final lots will end on 10thDecember. To see the live auctions follow the link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/CRT_Memorabilia/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
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