Yesterday’s World exhibits to be auctioned

Yesterday’s World, in Battle High Street, contained more than 150,000 nostalgic artefacts, plus virtual and interactive exhibits.

Many of these will sold off at Chippenham Auction Rooms tomorrow (Friday, November 27) and Saturday, November 28.

The museum, which documented 125 years of British social living history, closed for good on November 1.

Donna Bull and her family, who have owned the attraction for the past decade, decided to close the museum because they could not afford to keep it running.

It marks one final opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to buy items from the former museum, including hundreds of rare enamel signs, shop interiors, vintage toys, advertising and packaging.

Lots include medals, gas masks and military uniforms from the museum’s War Room exhibit, confectioners glass sweet jars containing the original sweets, a 1920s Meccano model aeroplane, a Steiff lion, 1920s/30s dolls house and a Punch and Judy puppet show.

In addition to the War Room and other recreated street scenes, exhibits being sold come from a range of early 20th-century shops, including a pharmacy, cobbler, hosier and butcher.

Principal auctioneer Richard Edmonds said: “We’re expecting a lot of interest from buyers in the UK and Europe as November and December are the final chances to buy what’s left of this unique collection.

“The team from Chippenham have spent a lot of time in Battle going through the exhibits and cataloguing everything.

“We’re still working our way through the museum’s cellar, which is packed with items that haven’t seen the light of day for years.

“I particularly enjoyed the War Room.

“Putting on a tin hat and picking my way through the ruined building certainly captured the spirit of the Blitz.”

Annette Buckley, who founded Yesterday’s World nearly 30 years ago, said: “I am hopeful that the new custodians of many of the artefacts to be sold by Chippenham Auctions on November 27 and 28 will care for and enjoy their new treasures as much as we have over the years.”

Items up for auction will be available for viewing on this evening (Thursday, November 26) 4–7pm and Friday November 27, 10am–5pm.

For more information contact The Chippenham Auction Rooms on 01249 444544 or visit www.chippenhamauctionrooms.co.uk .

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.