Del Boy's three-wheeler is among items that could fetch thousands
No money back, no guarantee! Del Boy’s three-wheeler and Uncle Albert’s war medals are among trove of 150 Only Fools and Horses items linked to classic British sitcom that could fetch thousands at auction
- The treasure trove of memorabilia from the BBC sitcom include the Trotter’s infamous three-wheeled van
- The promotional version of the 1973 Reliant Regal Supervan III has a door signed by Sir David Jason
- Other items up for sale at East Bristol Auctions include costumes and Uncle Albert’s storied war medals
A huge collection of iconic items from Only Fools and Horses has gone up for auction – including an original three-wheel van and Trigger’s medal from the council for ‘preserving’ his broom.
More than 150 special items connected to the long-running sitcom are being sold to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
They include the 1973 Reliant Regal Supervan III – signed by David Jason – the original hang glider Del crashed in and Uncle Albert’s war medals along with multiple items from the Trotter’s flat.
The haul will be auctioned off by East Bristol Auctions and include the iconic 1973 Reliant Regal Supervan III and Del-Boy’s well-known attire – a fur coat, red jumper and flat cap
The original three-wheeled 1973 Reliant Regal Supervan III includes the famous tagline of Trotter’s Independent Trading Co: ‘New York – Paris – Peckham’
The three-wheeled van is perhaps the most recognisable item up for sale – and is an iconic piece of British TV history used for promotional purposes by the BBC and Only Fools & Horses Appreciation Society
The collection went live today after being catalogued by East Bristol Auctions, who said they had so many items they say they have been able to ‘recreate’ Del-Boy’s flat in their showroom.
The most anticipated item going under the hammer is the original Reliant, which was the official promotional vehicle for the Only Fools & Horses Appreciation Society.
The vehicle was used by the BBC several times over the years – including for the official DVD box set, as well as official books and various other promotional material.
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe said the collection was unique.
The van carries an estimate of £15-20k for the auction which is going to take place later today at East Bristol Auctions
The three-wheeled van is signed by Sir David Jason on the inside of one of its doors alongside his famous catchphrase: ‘lovely jubbly!’
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe (pictured) said the collection of items from the BBC sitcom was unique and many items are signed by the show’s stars like Sir David Jason and the late Roger Lloyd Pack
Other items up for sale include Uncle Albert’s storied war medals, the bar from the set of the Trotter’s flat and a selection of costumes from the series
He added: ‘It’s as close to the real thing as you can ever get, and has some incredible connections to the series.
‘It’s iconic. Everyone knows Del Boy’s van – it just makes them smile. We had it parked outside our saleroom for a matter of minutes, and there was already a small crowd gathering for selfies with it.’
The van carries an estimate of £15-20k.
Among the other highlights within the sale include one of Uncle Albert’s original war medals, worn by Buster Merryfield on screen in the series.
Trigger’s hat shown in a memorable montage from The Jolly Boys Outing special set in Margate is also up for sale
Andrew said: ‘Albert’s war stories were one of the longest running gags so to have one his medals that he was given during the war is really special.’
Andrew added: ‘Albert’s war stories were one of the longest running gags so to have one his medals that he was given ‘during the war*’ is really special.’
Also up for grabs is a medal used in the famous 1996 Christmas special ‘Heroes And Villains,’ which is presented to the character Trigger for his ‘services to road sweeping’.
The councillor who awards the medal is later saved from muggers by Del and Rodney whilst dressed as the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, which was filmed just off Stokes Croft, near the centre of Bristol.
Larger items like a replica of Del’s bar, a limited edition gold van door, and even a full ‘Del Boy’ costume set are also included and expected to fetch thousands under the auctioneer’s hammer.
Andrew said they expected a strong level of interest when the sale starts later this month.
Smaller items in the trasure trove include die-cast models of the larger three-wheeled van which is the headline piece of the auction
He added: ‘Bristol is the home of Only Fools and Horses. Most of the later series were filmed in Bristol – we’re surrounded by locations.
‘The block of flats used for Nelson Mandela House is just a short drive away, as well as the alleyway from the famous Batman and Robin scene. There is a real connection to our city.
‘The collection, most of which comes from the Only Fools And Horses Appreciation Society, has been amassed over many years, and is expected to fetch over fifty thousand pounds.
‘Many of the items used in the series – particularly in the Trotter flat – were fairly valueless items, but now have a certain chic and are actually in vogue.
‘From gaudy patterned carpet, to lifesize ceramic dogs – he had it all in his flat.’
‘Only Fools fans are uniquely British – but they number in the thousands.
‘To have some of the most iconic pieces in comedy history here in our saleroom, is quite surreal.
Del’s gaudy outfit – as worn by the show’s legendary lead Sir David Jason – is also up for sale for a collector to nab
‘To be greeted by a lifesize Del Boy mannequin – with his famous sheepskin coat – every morning is a little strange, but great fun.
‘Cataloguing the sale was great fun – in one box we’d find Uncle Albert’s medal, followed by a ceramic cat that sings How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
‘We spent hours laughing as we worked through it all – pulling out an item from a famous episode, then re-enacting it.’
The original Hang Glider from the episode Tea For Three has a price estimate of £10-15K, Trigger’s medal £6-8k, Uncle Albert’s war medal £4-6k.
The total sale estimate is £150,000.
The sale starts at 1pm on 26th November. In person bidding is welcome, and the catalogue can be viewed online at the auctioneer’s website bid.eastbristol.co.u
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