The Contents of Helperby Manor

A treasure trove of antiques and curios are coming to auction, when the Contents of Helperby Manor, Helperby, North Yorkshire are sold in the first Antiques & Interiors Sale of the year on 5^th January.

Comprising the lifelong acquisitions of the late Mr Chris Martins (1947-2018), this incredibly eclectic array of antiques, collectables, quirky curios and bygone paraphernalia opens a window into the past. With such a diverse range of items offered, there is something for everyone.

The ‘brilliant and creative’ Mr Martins worked in the world of Public Relations & Marketing, though his interests far exceeded this sphere and his wildly varied collection stands as testament. Helperby Manor became a living museum; the walls of each room and every ‘nook and cranny’ were filled with items that had caught his eye, from across the U.K. and France, where he had a second home. In later life Martins embraced archaeology, studying at university and avidly metal detecting; this new-found passion illustrated by the contents of his library and the cabinet of his ‘finds’.

To be found amongst the 400-strong lots is a delightful offering of period jewellery and silver, a gallery’s worth of 19^th and 20^th century British and Continental paintings, traditional Victorian furniture, a whole host of longcase clocks together with ceramics - including one of the largest gatherings of cheese dishes in existence.

Found alongside these more conventional antiques are post boxes, typewriters, shop tills, firemarks, milk churns, advertising signs & packaging, toys, taxidermy, scales of all shapes and sizes, magic lantern projectors, antiquarian objects and much, much more!