Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car and home's treasures to rival the Palace of Versailles go up for auction

One of the most famous cars in the world will go under the auctioneer’s hammer followed by antique treasures from a Derbyshire home.
Steve Fulford, toy valuer at Hansons, in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.Steve Fulford, toy valuer at Hansons, in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.
Steve Fulford, toy valuer at Hansons, in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, together with more than more than 100 props used in a musical stage production starring Jason Manford which toured the UK, will be auctioned on June 21.

And an Aladdin’s cave of treasures discovered in a Littleover house that was likened to the Palace of Versailles has yielded eye-catching items for an auction on July 2.

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Both auctions will be conducted by Charles Hanson of Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers.

Jason Manford starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stage musical.Jason Manford starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stage musical.
Jason Manford starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stage musical.

Charles said: “We’re thrilled to be selling Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Chitty we’re selling is a wonderful piece of theatre history, unique to the show it was used in and incredibly rare.”

Chitty’s price guide is set at £6,000 - £9,000, a steal for any successful bidder as the car cost £175,000 to build.Other items up for auction include the Child-Catcher’s Bike (estimate £400-£600), Baron Bomburst’s car (£1,500-£2,000) and a 1920s vintage motorcycle ridden by Truly Scrumptious (£3,000-£4,000).

The second auction will be largely made up of antiques uncovered in the Littleover home.

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Charles said: “As soon as I crossed the threshold, I was stunned by the contents within. It was like walking from Vernon Street in Derby into the Palace of Versailles, such was the quality of some of the objects and the grandeur they bestowed on the property.

MId-18th century Dutch marquetry lowboy (estimate £1,500-£2,000). Photo by Mark Laban/Hansons.MId-18th century Dutch marquetry lowboy (estimate £1,500-£2,000). Photo by Mark Laban/Hansons.
MId-18th century Dutch marquetry lowboy (estimate £1,500-£2,000). Photo by Mark Laban/Hansons.

“It was an Aladdin’s cave of fascinating finds – a veritable feast of furniture, clocks, works of art, paintings, silver, ceramics, rugs, Chinese art and more. For anyone who loves antiques, it was like finding a treasure trove.”

The contents of the Derby home could fetch in excess of £60,000 at Hansons’ Fine Art Auction.

Highlights include an 18th Century Dutch marquetry lowboy (estimate £1,500-£2,000), a rare English ‘feather banded’ kneehole desk (£2,000-£3,000), and a George III inlaid writing table (more than £2,500).

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Consultant valuer Alexander Clement said: “It’s very unusual to find such a great collection in one place.They are good, honest antiques with oodles of character and period style.”

For catalogues to the auctions, go to www.hansonslive.co.uk