They discovered an old rubbish tip that would yield a treasure trove of bottles and trigger a collecting interest for their father, businessman Ron Fletcher, that would last a lifetime. About 200 bottles were rescued from the tip and although the boys’ interest waned, Ron went on to acquire many more from other sources over the years.
The collection, which extended to more than 1000 bottles, was consigned to Eddisons (15% buyer’s premium) which held a timed online sale from its Scunthorpe premises ending on October 13 (items offered without estimates).
Director Paul Cooper says: “These hundred-odd year old glass and stoneware antiques take us back to a disappeared world where countless now forgotten local businesses brewed ale, manufactured soft drinks, concocted remedies and sold their stuff in the shops and pubs that were to be found not only in town centres but on streets and in villages everywhere.”
Local places of interest featured on many bottles in the collection including Cleethorpes, Limber, Caistor, Louth, Brigg and Barton and sold for two or three-figure amounts.
But the star lot was a rare Grimsby & London Economic Supply Co stoneware ginger beer bottle (above). A similar example had surfaced at BBR Auctions in July 2018 selling for £1500. The one here went for £2000 to a bidder on thesaleroom.com.
