The late Mr Colin J F Tickle of North Wales

The late Colin Tickle was a long-standing volunteer and supporter of The Llanfair Railway in mid Wales where he helped from 1970 until his death in 2023. He first became a fireman followed by graduation to a locomotive driver. He retired from railway engineering at SAB Wabco in 1995, working for them and associated companies since 1958. He was a fine model engineer, winning awards and medals at the National Model Engineering Exhibition in London, where he also acted as a judge in the Railway sections. In the auction, we have four fine exhibition models built by Mr Colin Tickle (Lots 36-39).

A highlight from his collection is Lot 38, a well-engineered 5 inch gauge London Midland & Scottish Railway model of a 0-4-0 tank shunting locomotive No 1529, built to 1:11.3 scale. This locomotive's sister engine No 1528 built by Mr Colin Tickle was sold by Christies at The Brighton and Hove Engineerium on the 22nd of October 1979. 

The original full size locomotives were built at the Derby Works in 1907 for The Midland Railway. The principle places these engines were used were Staveley Iron Works, Gloucester Docks and the Breweries at Burton on Trent.

The late Mr Richard Arnold Castle of Watford

We also have a selection of fine Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winning model locomotives built by the late Mr Richard Arnold Castle of Watford. A highlight is Lot 48, an exhibition and award winning 5 inch gauge model of a British Railway Class 2t 2-6-2 live steam side tank locomotive No 84000. This model was built in 2008 and was awarded The Model Engineer Exhibition Bronze Medal and The Charles Kennion Memorial Trophy. The model is sold together with a laminated copy of the award certificates.⁠

A very rare and original full-size floor standing Heinrici of Germany vertical hot air engine

Another highlight is Lot 22, a very rare and original full-size floor standing Heinrici of Germany vertical hot air engine, dating to circa 1910. Heinrici's were one of the most successful hot air engine manufacturers between 1879 and the 1920s. Engines of largely similar design were produced in a range of sizes, mostly standing on tapered boxed stands. This design, No. 6282 - Speed 1800AMP AMP 1.2. Volts 60. - was patented on the 5 May 1891. The present lot has Makers and Detail plaques cast in brass on original mounts. 

It is our opinion that this is the most original example ever to come under the hammer with its original dynamo still present. A similar example can be seen in the late Sir William McAlpine's private collection at Fawley Hill Museum, Oxfordshire.

Marine related items

The auction also features a selection of marine related items. A highlight is Lot 92, an exhibition standard model of steam cruiser 'HMS Carnarvon'. Being a four funnel destroyer, the model features gun emplacements, life boats, masks, rigging and observation platforms. The original ship was built circa 1900. HMS Carnarvon was one of six Devonshire-class armoured cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She was assigned to the 3rd Cruiser Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet upon completion in 1905 and was transferred to the 2nd Crusier Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet in 1907. She was assigned to the reserve Third Fleet in 1909 and became flagship of the 5th Cruiser Squadron the reserve Second Fleet in 1912.

An Armstrong Whitworth 'Atalanta' class alloy car mascot

A rather charming item is Lot 137, a 20th century Armstrong Whitworth 'Atalanta' class alloy car mascot. It is sold together with a booklet of cigarette cards. It comes to auction attached with notes suggesting to have been presented to Major H. G. Brackley, Imperial Airways Air Superintendent in 1933. 

In 1921 Herbert George Brackley, R.N.A.S. joined the British Air Mission as an Air Adviser to the Japanese Naval Air Service and spent the next three years helping in the organisation and training of the Japanese Naval Air Arm. Returning to Britain in 1924, he joined the newly formed Imperial Airways as their Air Superintendent as well as remaining a member of the RAFO. His task with Imperial Airways was to plan operations and organise training as well as carry out route development. He even undertook some of the developmental flying himself such as the first scheduled flight in the new Armstrong Whitworth Argosy from London to Paris which he carried out on 5 August 1926. He also personally surveyed the route to be taken by the new four engined flying boats between England and Australia, recommending that large distances could be flown overland.

Travel Posters

Finally, the auction concludes with a variety of travel posters. A particular highlight is Lot 150, an original travel poster depicting Bamburgh Castle, printed by The Avenue Press in London, circa 1925. This was designed by Scottish illustrator and artist Sir William Russell Flint (1880-1969) for London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). 

Although he worked in all manners of media, Sir William Russell Flint remains best known for his watercolours. He began his career as an apprentice lithographer in Edinburgh, moving to London in 1900 where he worked as a medical illustrator and later as a magazine illustrator. During the First World War Flint worked with the Admiralty. After the War he became a full-time artist.

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Auction Details

Wednesday 13 December | 12 noon GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:
Viewing at Donnington Priory:

• Friday 8 December: 10am-4pm
• Sunday 10 December: 10am-3pm
• Monday 11 December: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 12 December: 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 13 December: from 8.30am