Jewellery inherited from aunt and left in cupboard for decades sells for over £8,000

A jewellery collection left in cupboard for nearly two decades has sold for £8,255 – over eight times what it was thought to be worth.

The heirlooms included a gold pocket watch and gold bangle.

The female seller had been left the Victorian and Edwardian items by an aunt.

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She had initially been offered £1,000 but sought a second opinion.

And when they went under the hammer, they sold for a staggering £8,255.

“Since inheriting the collection from my aunt 18 years ago, the jewellery and watches have been in a bag at the back of a cupboard,” the vendor, who did not want to be named, told What’s The Jam.

“I have had it in my house for many, many years and decided it was time to do something with it all.

“After initially receiving a £1,000 offer elsewhere, I visited The Auction Café for a free valuation and was advised that the items would likely be worth far more than £1,000.

“I’d never used an auctioneer before and I think it was the fact valuations were being offered which made the whole process so straightforward and easy to access.

“I am delighted with the sale.”

Auctioneer Richard Winterton said: “What a lovely collection this was, a real time capsule of Victorian treasures which delighted our valuers.

“It’s a perfect example of a client having some real hidden treasure and the potential which can be achieved from auction.

“You never truly know what your items may be worth until they go under the hammer.

“That’s why seeking a free valuation and advice from our professional valuers is always a good idea.

“Even if the item turns out to be of little value, it’s always better to check first.

“In this case, the collection totalled a well-deserved £8,255 – a fantastic result stemming from a free, drop-in valuation.”

The sale took place at Winterton’s in Lichfield, Staffs, on 2 June.

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