Gents jewellery signs to go under hammer

ADVERTISING signs from some of the biggest names in gents' jewellery will be going under the hammer at an antiques auction in the Cotswolds later this month.

A counter-top sign for Swiss watchmaker Breitling, mirrors branded with the logos of Tag Heuer and Longines watches, and a crocodile skin effect leather pen case by Gucci will be offered for sale by Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester on Friday, August 31 with an estimate of £80 to £120.

The lot, which is bound to appeal to collectors of both advertising signage and Swiss timepieces, is part of a consignment from a recently-closed jewellery retailer.

Jewellery including batched lots of dress rings for men and diamond rings for women will be offered at £100 to £150 per lot, while a collection of Masonic jewellery will be offered at well below market rate.

The lot - including a pair of cufflinks with the Masonic square and compasses symbol, two Masonic spinner rings, a watch chain, a pendant, and a 9ct gold Masonic orb which opens into a cross - will be offered for £100 to £150.

One of the most famous members of the secretive organisation was Sir Winston Churchill, who was a member of the Studholme Lodge.

Although he resigned from the lodge in 1912 he continued to contribute to Freemasonry throughout his life.

And an album of stamps issued to commemorate the former Prime Minister is part of an extensive lot of first day covers.

When Churchill died in 1965, nations across the world rushed to issue commemorative stamps in his honour.

Stamps issued by the Channel Island of Herm and by Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel sit beside stamps issued by the Arab emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, Yemen, and Sierra Leone in an album issued by the world's oldest stamp business, Stanley Gibbons.

Hundreds of albums will be sold across three lots, with each lot commanding an estimate of £50 to £80.

Among the lots is a collection close to Churchill's heart. In 1993 the Royal Airforce Celebrated its 75th anniversary – this year, of course, it marks its centenary – and nations across the Commonwealth issued first day covers with stamps featuring some of the force's best-known aeroplanes including the Fox Fairey and the Bristol Bulldog.

And from foxes and bulldogs to pigs, a pair of painted porcelain piggies from the world-famous Wemyss pottery will be offered with an estimate of £200 to £300.

The pottery was founded in 1882 and is still producing its signature pigs today.

The early 20th century pair being sold by Moore Allen are decorated in the highly-collectable shamrock design and stamped with the logo of china, silverware and glass retailer Thomas Goode of Mayfair.

For a full auction catalogue, log on to mooreallen.co.uk