19th century Scottish souvenirs to fetch thousands

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 20:47

THEY were the 19th century equivalents of the shortbread tins, tartan dolls and Loch Ness Monster toys that dominate Scotland's modern tourist traps.

This sewing box has an estimate of 3,000 to 3,500

A huge collection of the heavily varnished wooden souvenirs that helped fuel Scotland's tourism trade 150 years ago is now set to generate tens of thousands of pounds at auction.

Bonhams, in Edinburgh, is selling what is thought to be the biggest collection of Mauchline Ware, collectible goods snapped up by affluent Victorians touring Scotland.

More than 300 pieces gathered by a private collector since the 1970s – including snuff boxes, sewing cases, tea caddys and jewellery boxes – will be up for grabs next Wednesday.

Some of the lots are expected to command bids of up to 3,500.

They are being sold off by a private collector, John Price, from Gloucestershire, who has been buying them since the 1960s.

Although Mauchline Ware collectibles date from between the late 18th century to the 1930s, the term is said to have started being used in the 1970s when their value began to soar.

They are named after the town of Mauchline, in Ayrshire, where the most famous manufacturer of the boxes and other similar goods, W&A Smith, was based.

Formed by William and Andrew Smith in 1825 their company's products went on to be sold around the world.

Many of them featured the work of Robert Burns and depictions of beauty spots and landmarks.

Snuff-box-making was already widespread in Ayrshire, but the brothers famously were the first to use tartan on many of their products.