Sporting Memorabilia & Equipment

Two sporting ‘firsts’ are being marked by lots coming up in separate auctions this month.

In its catalogue notes for the July 22 Scottish Greats: Football, Golf, Fishing and more sale, McTear’s (24% buyer’s premium) was careful to say regarding a football shirt on offer that it could give no guarantee it was exactly as billed.

The appetite for early Manchester United memorabilia is strong – even for a player who started out at their arch-rivals

I was enjoying reading the article on the queen’s brooch, which sold recently (ATG No 2550), when I was surprised to come across the name of Ray Lindwall, the scourge of English cricket in the 1950s.

Long before Mirandinha, Faustino Asprilla and Nolberto Solano graced the hallowed turf of Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, two brothers paved the way for South American footballers to play professionally in England.

With Wimbledon on the way at the end of the month we look at options for memorabilia

This large iron lock and key is inscribed Presented to WP Brookes Esq by a Member of the Wenlock Olympian Class May 18th 1869.

Power of the Force line was launched as the original Star Wars began to lose its shine but rarest figures still bring demand

Book on offer at fishing tackle fair tells story of East End taxidermists who preserved catches

Former champion jockey Joe Mercer 1934-2021) was a keen buyer of racing memorabilia.

One of the earliest items of football memorabilia to appear at auction emerged at Bonhams in Knightsbridge: an England international goalkeeper shirt from 1879.

Graham Budd Auctions is under new ownership, with its founder becoming chairman.

This 18ct gold and enamel medal was awarded to Reginald Arthur Whitcombe (1898-1957) for winning the 1936 Open Golf Championship of Ireland.

The potent mix of China, horseracing and the 1851 Great Exhibition yielded a strong price for this splendid ‘export’ silver trophy at auction.

Angling and fishing fans will be familiar with the firm Hardy of Alnwick. In 1872 William Hardy set up shop as a gunsmith.

Arsenal FC’s familiar red jersey with white arms is instantly recognisable to football fans worldwide now. However, a pair of shirts sold at the Graham Budd (20.5% buyer’s premium) December 1-2 auction in London show an earlier look.