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The Caterpillar Club
The Caterpillar Club is made up of a rather special group of people, who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a failing aircraft, thus saving their lives. Founded in 1922 the ‘caterpillar’ refers to the silk threads that went to make the original parachutes and recognises the debt owed to the silkworm for producing them.
The Caterpillar club brooches or pins, are very small, typically only 2cm long, and realistically styled in gold as a caterpillar with garnet or ruby eyes. To the reverse, you will often find the recipient's name, and occasionally rank.
For obvious reasons, this unusual club does not have many members, and those who are, value their brooches highly.
We were recently delighted to have a brooch consigned to auction with ‘SGT RJW Brown’ written to the reverse. Shot down by an ME109 whilst flying his Hurricane over France in June 1940, he baled out and was picked up by a unit moving South, then put on a hospital ship back to England. Having rejoined his squadron, Sgt. Brown was back in action by the 18th August.
The Caterpillar club brooches or pins, are very small, typically only 2cm long, and realistically styled in gold as a caterpillar with garnet or ruby eyes. To the reverse, you will often find the recipient's name, and occasionally rank.
For obvious reasons, this unusual club does not have many members, and those who are, value their brooches highly.
We were recently delighted to have a brooch consigned to auction with ‘SGT RJW Brown’ written to the reverse. Shot down by an ME109 whilst flying his Hurricane over France in June 1940, he baled out and was picked up by a unit moving South, then put on a hospital ship back to England. Having rejoined his squadron, Sgt. Brown was back in action by the 18th August.
Valuation day
We are hold a valuation day on Wednesday the 25th of September.
Entries Invited
We're inviting entries for our September sale.
August sale catalogue
July Sale Report
The July sale saw a characteristically full sale, with a particularly large entry of smaller items.
Whilst traditionally a quiet time of year to hold auctions, the advent of online bidding has changed everything, allowing people to bid on and buy items in auction wherever they may be in the World, making the summer lull of the past, no more.
With so many smaller items in the sale, there was truly something for all tastes, and a good offering of collectable coins drew a considerable amount of interest, which was reflected in strong bidding throughout. Sovereigns led the way, with some impressive prices, but it was a 1912 half sovereign that really reflected the current interest in gold, selling for £280.
As ever, we had a good selection of jewellery on offer, with a striking 18ct gold and blue tanzanite ring selling over estimate for £820 and a 9ct curb link bracelet selling for £540.
With gold reaching new highs this week, now might well be the time to get your unwanted or unloved jewellery valued.
A Linn Sondek LP12 turntable proved to be the most watched item in the sale, with over 50 people adding the item to their wishlist, before eventually selling for £410.
Moving forward, we are busy cataloguing items for the August sale, so if you are thinking of consigning items, now is the time. You can send photos of your items to info@tsauction.co.uk or call 0118 950 8611 to arrange a visit from one of our valuers.
Whilst traditionally a quiet time of year to hold auctions, the advent of online bidding has changed everything, allowing people to bid on and buy items in auction wherever they may be in the World, making the summer lull of the past, no more.
With so many smaller items in the sale, there was truly something for all tastes, and a good offering of collectable coins drew a considerable amount of interest, which was reflected in strong bidding throughout. Sovereigns led the way, with some impressive prices, but it was a 1912 half sovereign that really reflected the current interest in gold, selling for £280.
As ever, we had a good selection of jewellery on offer, with a striking 18ct gold and blue tanzanite ring selling over estimate for £820 and a 9ct curb link bracelet selling for £540.
With gold reaching new highs this week, now might well be the time to get your unwanted or unloved jewellery valued.
A Linn Sondek LP12 turntable proved to be the most watched item in the sale, with over 50 people adding the item to their wishlist, before eventually selling for £410.
Moving forward, we are busy cataloguing items for the August sale, so if you are thinking of consigning items, now is the time. You can send photos of your items to info@tsauction.co.uk or call 0118 950 8611 to arrange a visit from one of our valuers.
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