The History Man
Active member
This season’s Brighton & Hove Albion Collectors’ Fair will be on Sunday, 5th December 2010, in the Hospitality Suite at Withdean Stadium, via gate 21 from the main car-park.
Doors open at 11am, and admission is free. There will be thousands of Albion programmes, books, videos, pictures, fanzines, etc, for sale at low prices. Light refreshments will also be available.
The ever-popular Albion auction will be held at 1pm, offering the chance of a rarity or bargain amid the excitement of a live auction.
The event is a fund-raiser for the club’s Collectors’ and Historians’ Society, which is providing a club museum at the Amex Stadium, scheduled to open in the summer of 2011. Chairman Tim Carder explained the thinking behind it.
“The Society was formed in 1998 to preserve and promote the fascinating history of our wonderful football club,” said Tim. “This day allows us to sell off spare items and gives supporters the opportunity to augment their collections. Several other tables will be selling Albion memorabilia as well.”
The fair, which began in 2002, is now a popular annual fixture. The associated auction, as well as raising funds, assists the Society in a more subtle way. “The auction tempts people to look into their cupboards to dig out those interesting or rare Albion items,” added Tim. “Last year, for instance, the star item was Peter Ward’s match shirt from 1977/78.”
That iconic shirt is now with the Society for display in the museum, but it’s not just unique or expensive items that are of interest. Many everyday objects, perhaps bought from the club shop years ago, tended to get thrown away and are now quite rare. “A good example was a pair of matching Gully money-boxes from the 1990s that went for £22,” reported Tim. “A home-made wooden rattle from the ’60s sold for £12. They’re not huge sums, but these items represent one way the club was supported in times past and deserve to be preserved – and displayed.
“We want to keep the museum exhibits interesting and fresh, and we would be happy to display items from supporters’ personal collections for everybody to enjoy.”
No doubt the Society will be looking to purchase any interesting lots “teased out” in the auction. “The Society bids for items it wants to preserve in competition with everyone else – that’s the only fair way,” explained Tim, “but it’s satisfying that each object sold ends up with someone who really wants it and will look after it.
“In eight years of auctions we’ve sold 435 items, at an average price of £29. Essentially it’s recycling – and everyone’s a winner!”
Tables are still available for selling Albion-related memorabilia, at a cost of £10. Supporters are invited to submit items for the auction now, so that a catalogue can be issued in November. Sellers keep 90 per cent of the hammer-price, and reserve prices can be set.
All enquiries should be made to Tim Carder by PM to The History Man.
Doors open at 11am, and admission is free. There will be thousands of Albion programmes, books, videos, pictures, fanzines, etc, for sale at low prices. Light refreshments will also be available.
The ever-popular Albion auction will be held at 1pm, offering the chance of a rarity or bargain amid the excitement of a live auction.
The event is a fund-raiser for the club’s Collectors’ and Historians’ Society, which is providing a club museum at the Amex Stadium, scheduled to open in the summer of 2011. Chairman Tim Carder explained the thinking behind it.
“The Society was formed in 1998 to preserve and promote the fascinating history of our wonderful football club,” said Tim. “This day allows us to sell off spare items and gives supporters the opportunity to augment their collections. Several other tables will be selling Albion memorabilia as well.”
The fair, which began in 2002, is now a popular annual fixture. The associated auction, as well as raising funds, assists the Society in a more subtle way. “The auction tempts people to look into their cupboards to dig out those interesting or rare Albion items,” added Tim. “Last year, for instance, the star item was Peter Ward’s match shirt from 1977/78.”
That iconic shirt is now with the Society for display in the museum, but it’s not just unique or expensive items that are of interest. Many everyday objects, perhaps bought from the club shop years ago, tended to get thrown away and are now quite rare. “A good example was a pair of matching Gully money-boxes from the 1990s that went for £22,” reported Tim. “A home-made wooden rattle from the ’60s sold for £12. They’re not huge sums, but these items represent one way the club was supported in times past and deserve to be preserved – and displayed.
“We want to keep the museum exhibits interesting and fresh, and we would be happy to display items from supporters’ personal collections for everybody to enjoy.”
No doubt the Society will be looking to purchase any interesting lots “teased out” in the auction. “The Society bids for items it wants to preserve in competition with everyone else – that’s the only fair way,” explained Tim, “but it’s satisfying that each object sold ends up with someone who really wants it and will look after it.
“In eight years of auctions we’ve sold 435 items, at an average price of £29. Essentially it’s recycling – and everyone’s a winner!”
Tables are still available for selling Albion-related memorabilia, at a cost of £10. Supporters are invited to submit items for the auction now, so that a catalogue can be issued in November. Sellers keep 90 per cent of the hammer-price, and reserve prices can be set.
All enquiries should be made to Tim Carder by PM to The History Man.
