Breweriana Antiques Roadshow in Norwich draws large crowds of collectors
Nigel Harris with two sealed brews from his father John's collection at the Norfolk Breweriana Antiques Roadshow. Picture: ANDREW STONE - Credit: Archant
Collectors of antique brewery items gathered in Norwich yesterday to have their goods valued by experts.
The Norfolk branch of the Labologists Society - the international society of label collectors and brewery research - held its Norfolk Breweriana Antiques Roadshow at the Fat Cat and Canary Pub in Thorpe Road.
Members of the public with interesting or antique brewery items were invited to bring them along for a free appraisal.
Labologists spokesperson Nick Drew said the event had been well attended.
He said: 'It was pretty chaotic at times and a large number of people kept appearing right up to 3pm.
'There were a lot of beer mats - although very few of any value - and quite a number of embossed bottles, some of which were quite rare and old but of relatively little value.
'There were some good old Bullards and Steward & Patterson signs and framed pictures.
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'The current owner Russell Evans of the Bullards brand who came, was interested in these.'
Mr Drew said other interesting items included rare Bullards matchbox holders and a 19th Century bottle of Reid's Stout, which had been specially brewed for the Tzar of Russia.
'A number of people brought items that involved label collecting but not related to brewing - a large collection of cheese labels for example, so we were at a bit of a loss on those.'
Anthony Stubbs and his wife Ann brought a Bullards pub sign and a framed print of Norwich Brewery to be appraised.
Mr Stubbs, a former district manager of Norwich Brewery, rescued the Bullards pub sign when it was being used as a drain cover.
He said: 'At one stage they were quite common as they were on every Bullards pub until the early 1960s.'
Sid Yallop brought his collection of over 500 beer mats while Nigel Harris came with items from his father's extensive collection including sealed special edition brews dating back to the 1980s.
'These are just a few as he has over 50 at home,' said Mr Harris.
Mr Drew said labels, mats, embossed bottles, playing cards, trays and signs could be of value if old, rare or sought after.
Earlier this year a rare Hancocks Brewery of Wiveliscombe label sold at auction for more than £1,150.