A family’s collection of gold, silver, brass and enamel vesta cases is expected to sell for around £1,800 when it goes up for auction at Halls next Wednesday 26th October.

The collection, which extends to 60 cases, belongs to a family with links in Shropshire and Pembrokeshire and was amassed over a number of years.

Consigned to Halls’ fine pictures, silver and jewellery auction on October 26, the cases will be sold in a series of lots and include one modelled as a novelty water pump, which is valued at up to £150.

“This is a ready-made collection for somebody interested in starting collecting vesta cases,” said Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley, head of Halls’ silver and jewellery department. “We are anticipating keen interest from collectors.”

Other interesting silver lots in the auction include a cased part canteen of Sandringham pattern silver flatware made in Sheffield between 1931-’34, which is valued at up to £2,500 and a harlequin part canteen of silver, some engraved with the 49th Regiment crest, from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment in Devizes, which is valued at up to £1,800.

Certain to attract great interest with an estimate of up to £700 is a Scottish provincial Iona silver box, the cover of which is embossed with a Viking ship within Celtic motif border, by Alexander Richie.

“Alexander Richie was one of the most respected and sought after silver jewellers of the 20th century and this box is typical of his work with Celtic decoration,” said Miss Lineker-Mobberley.

A 2005 cast silver bust of artist L.S. Lowry by J. Blakeley, Sheffield, which is mounted on a veined green marble graduated plinth with silver plaque, is valued at around £600 while three silver nutmeg graters from a Kidderminster vendor could make £500 each.

Likely to appeal to Shropshire’s hunting supporters is a Victorian silver and enamel hunting cigarette case made in 1896 by John Edward Wilmot, Birmingham, which is in pristine condition and could make up to £700 for a Telford vendor.

For more information about the auction, contact Miss Lineker-Mobberley at Halls on Tel: 01743 450700 or view the catalogue at www.hallsgb/fine-art.