Football autographs go under the hammer during filming of Dickinson's Real Deal

Hosted by Boldon Auction Galleries yesterday, the sale of more than 186 caricatures and autographs from players who played for Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United and Manchester United during the 1950, went for an impressive sum of £750.

The set went to an online buyer during the auction.

With some pencil-drawn caricatures from the famous Busby Babes - the team wiped out in the 1958 Munich air disaster - the collection was estimated to sell for between £500 to £800.

Capturing the action of the auction was ITV show Dickinson’s Real Deal, hosted by David Dickinson, which filmed the sale of the prized football memorabilia and other objects.

The hit show invites people to bring in their antiques to have them valued and items included those unearthed in Hartlepool last month.

Dealers then try and purchase them for cash which can be accepted or declined.

If the offer is refused the item goes to auction.

Over 100 people attended the antiques and interiors sale hosted at then galleries, on Front Street, East Boldon, with numerous online bidders also vying for the items on offer.

The autographs themselves were described by the auction house as a ‘fabulous snapshot of 1950’s football’ - featuring players and managers including Stanley Matthews, Bert Trautmann, Matt Busby, Ron Greenwood, Brian Clough and Alf Ramsey.

Also up for sale on the day was a large number of Oriental artefacts, and a early 20th century Marklin Wurttemberg steam engine, which went for a huge sum of £7,000 instead of its initial £800 to £1,200 estimate.

A spokeswoman for the auction house said: “The autograph collection went for a total of £750 to an online buyer.
“They were initially estimated at a value of £500 to £800 so it was well within that bracket.”

For information on the Boldon auction house visit: www.boldonauctions.co.uk

SIDEBAR: DICKINSON’S REAL DEAL

Last month Dickinson’s Real Deal was filmed at Hartlepool’s Borough Hall on the Headland which saw hundreds of residents turn out to discuss their prized antiques and collectables with show host David Dickinson.

People came along to the event with film posters, jewellery, cutlery and artworks to be valued by David, along with fellow experts Simon Schneider, Corrie Jeffrey, Henry Nicholls and Tracey Thackray-Howitt.

The episode of Dickinson’s Real Deal featuring Hartlepool will be broadcast on ITV1 in the spring.