'Biggest' Punch and Judy collection sells for £20k

One of Britain'a largest collections of Punch and Judy paraphernalia has sold at auction for almost £20,000.

Thousands of items, including puppets, booths and props, chess sets and postcards, were acquired by actor and children's entertainer Frank Turvey, who performed as Professor Mystral in Lincolnshire for many years.

They had been stored by his family since his death earlier this year.

As the lots went under the hammer on Tuesday, Darryl Kirk, from Heritage Auctioneers and Valuers in Lincoln, said Turvey "collected anything with Punch".

"It's a 50-year plus collection," Kirk said.

"He also made items. Then we have puppets and Punch and Judy booths.

"We have Victorian postcards, Victorian china, modern puppets made for his shows, symbols, books, magic items.

"If there's Punch and Judy on something, we probably have it."

Kirk said it took two weeks to sort out and catalogue the items ready for auction.

"In terms of variety, it's probably the biggest collection ever to come to auction," he said.

"Not in terms of value, yet some puppets can be thousands of pounds, but in terms of the variety of items, it's immense."

There was interest from across the UK in the auction which was divided into more than 450 lots.

Among the more unusual pieces were a uranium glass Punch and Judy figures, crested china, Victorian miniatures and original props and costumes.

The wide-ranging collection also included more prosaic items.

"We have Punch and Judy toothpaste over there," said Turvey.

"This is from the 50s, 60s, 70s, sweet wrappers. Not massively valuable, but social history, quite important."

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices