On Saturday 25 October CAMRA’s Games and Collectables section will be holding their 39th National Breweriana Auction, once again at the Town Hall in Burton-on-Trent. This is a rare chance to acquire some unusual and distinctive items of brewing history. There will be around 150 lots, including mirrors, trays, advertising signs, water jugs, flagons, bottles, books and pump clips as well as a few more unusual items. There will also be a number of stands selling brewery memorabilia to add to the atmosphere.
Some items would be ideal for any beer lover’s home, such as a Guinness clock or a rare and delightful plate from Lincolnshire’s Batemans Brewery. These plates were exclusively issued to their employees to commemorate the saving of the brewery in 1987.
As always, there are a number of advertising display cards, including two from London’s Barclay Perkins (set up in 1616 and merged with Courage in 1955) and one from the lesser known Simpson’s of Baldock Hertfordshire). The brewery was founded in the 1730s and renamed Simpson’s in 1853 when it was bought by Joseph and Thomas George Simpson. To avoid death duties, the business, with its 130 pubs, was sold to Greene King in 1954 for £525,000. It was closed in 1965.
Another Barclay Perkins item is a corked bottle of their magnificent Imperial Russian Stout, around 70 years old. We also have two Toby jugs from Charringtons, the Toby Jug being their logo. Founded in 1770, many London drinkers will have started on Charrington IPA. The company merged with Bass, Mitchell & Butler in 1967 to form Bass Charrington; this made them the largest brewery in the UK at that time. Their brewery in the Mile End Road was closed in 1975 with production moved to the Midlands.
Trays are always popular, for either practical use or display. We have examples from Wadworth of Devizes and Tennant’s of Sheffield. This is not to be confused with the Scottish Tennent’s brewery; this one was established by two brothers in 1840. The company, with 700 tied houses, was acquired by Whitbread in 1961, becoming Whitbread East Pennines. It survived until in 1993.
You don’t need any expert knowledge to attend the National Breweriana Auction. It is great fun to take part or even just to watch and some of the items are great bargains and can appreciate in value. Like any CAMRA event, there will, of course, be some good beer on sale all day, sourced from a local brewery.
Burton on Trent is easily accessible by train (under two hours from London, change at Derby) and the Victorian Gothic style Town Hall (Grade II-listed) is just a short walk from the railway station. The venue is wheelchair accessible. The event starts at 10.30, which gives you time to view the lots and browse the breweriana stands. Bidding starts at noon and is normally over by 3pm. There will then be a last chance to peruse the stands before, perhaps, visiting some of Burton’s iconic pubs on your way home.
Entrance is by catalogue (£3.00), available on the day, or in advance by post (£6.15 first class post) from Bill Austin on 07831 688276 or at baustin1951@btinternet.com. If you can’t get there, postal bids will be accepted; just contact Bill. Similarly, please feel free to contact Bill if you have any breweriana items that you would like to enter into the auction.
For more details see https://www.gandc.camra.org.uk.
Christine Cryne