6 days ago
Postcards and artefacts depicting Swindon's past set to sell for hundreds at auction
Postcards and artefacts that reveal what life was once like in Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett are set to sell for hundreds at auction.
Dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, the postcards have been described as a "window" into what life was like for Wiltshire residents.
The collection includes over 1,000 postcards, many of which show never-before-seen images, and is expected to sell for a minimum of £200.
Photos show images of the Swindon Tram Car Disaster of 1906, Salisbury Rail Crash of 1906 and of Boer War soldiers, as well as Swindon's GWR works and some of Wiltshire's oldest and now-demolished stations.
For Swindon locals, recognisable roads such as Bath Road, Fleet Street and Station Road in Purton can all be seen, among others.
The postcards record key historical events through the eyes of the town (Image: RWB Auctions)
(Image: RWB Auctions)
"Wiltshire has a rich history and we are very proud of that at RWB Auctions," said Gareth Wasp, head auctioneer at the local auction house which will hold the sale.
"We have already had interest from local buyers in these lots, and we're expecting an exciting atmosphere in the sale room when these items go under the hammer."
Other historic items also set to go under the hammer include a water colour painting of The Vale Hotel in Cricklade, dated 1968, a collection of old historic maps of Wiltshire, and local history books.
Recommended reading:
New mural design for Fleming Way project revealed
Concern at plan for more homes as huge development already looms
Woman walking through park sexually assaulted by hoodie-wearing stranger
One oil portrait, which depicts Edmund Pleydell, the former MP for Wootton Bassett from 1710 to 1715, is expected to sell for between £200 and £400.
Back then, there was no 'royal' title in Royal Wootton Bassett, as the constituency was actually known as a 'rotten borough'.
Edmund Pleydell, former MP of Wootton Bassett (Image: RWB Auctions) Rotten boroughs were parliamentary constituencies with a very small electorate that could be easily controlled or bribed, allowing a candidate to buy their way into Parliament.
The Wootton Bassett constituency was abolished in 1832. Pleydell had married, by 1683, Anne, the daughter and heiress of Sir John Morton, 2nd Baronet and left three sons and three daughters. He divided his estates between his sons. All of these historic items and more will go under the hammer at RWB Auctions on Royal Wootton Bassett High Street from 10am on June 4, and residents are invited to come along and place a bid.
Bids can also be placed online.
