The Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood quarterly Sporting and Collectors auctions always promise unique and interesting items on offer, and the first one of 2026 is no different. With everything from medals and autographs to a skeleton and sports memorabilia, take a look through some of the highlights we've curated here.
Lot 489, a Lundy One Puffin, together with five other coins
A 1929 Lundy Puffin coin, together with five others (Lot 489), is the first of our lots with a local connection. The small island of Lundy, just off the North Devon coast, was purchased in the 1920s by wealthy businessman, Martin Coles Harman. Harman introduced his own stamps after the General Post Office suspended postal services to the island, and later minted his own currency; the one Puffin and the half Puffin coins (equivalent to a penny and halfpenny respectively). In 1931 he was charged with issuing illegal coinage, found guilty, and fined £5 15s (equivalent to £1,352 in 2023). In 1932 he was declared bankrupt, and a year later, he was charged and convicted of conspiracy to defraud, in connection with a Korean syndicate, and sentenced to 18 months in prison. He died in 1954. Although the Puffin coins were taken out of circulation as a currency after Harman was charged with issuing illegal coinage, they have since become a popular collectors item. This one is offered alongside a 1797 cartwheel two pence, an 1853 USA cent, an 1891 North Borneo cent, an 1875 quarter Anna, plus a Russian Empire 2 Koneks coin, estimated at £40-60*
Lot 794, a can of Colonial Beef Dripping
Staying in the wonderful county of Devon, a tin of beef dripping belonging to a man from Torquay is next on the 'local interest' list. Mike Westmacott, a mountaineer, accompanied Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their 1953 expedition to become the first people to summit Mount Everest. Westmacott was in charge of keeping the mountainside camps supplied, and brought back with him a tin of Colonial beef dripping, likely as a souvenir. He went on to have a successful mountaineering career, becoming president of The Climbers Club from 1978-1980. The tin is accompanied by a letter from E M Elliott, who cleaned Mike Westmacott's house for many years and was gifted the Everest souvenir. It is estimated at £80-120* but will likely achieve more due to its interesting history.
Lot 34, a mid-20th Century full medical skeleton, est. £500-700*
Moving beyond lots of local significance, one of the more unique items in this auction is a mid-20th century medical skeleton. With articulated limbs and joints, the male torso has a female head. Obtained by the vendor's father, a medical student in the 1950s, he was also a runner at a film studio in Wimbledon. The skeleton was reportedly damaged by gunfire while filming a Hammer Horror film, and thus the male skull had to be replaced. There are only minor losses to the skeleton, and the female skull on the male body makes it a fascinating and distinctive item for collectors or institutions alike.
Lot 693, a Freelance 3 1/2" scale live steam traction engine
Finally, there is a Freelance 3 1/2" scale live steam Showman's traction engine. The beautifully painted red train sits under a white illuminated canopy, marked 'Major' and 'Amusements on Tour'. With yellow spoked wheels and brass twisted supports and plaque, this is a wonderful and unique item for any home or business. The brass plaque on the body reads 'English Electric Company Type FWR400 Serial Number 77334', and it comes with past test certificates and ephemera. The estimate for this traction engine is £1,500-2,000*.
The Sporting and Collectors Auction takes place Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th March, bidding commencing at 10.00 each day. Viewing begins Friday 13th. You can view the full catalogue here
*All estimates are subject to added Buyers Premium and VAT
