Nottingham artefacts to go under the hammer

A rare opportunity to own a piece of an iconic Nottingham factory will be available this month as over 120 artefacts and assets from Imperial Tobacco’s Horizon Factory will be auctioned off.

Nottingham-based John Pye Auctions, which is the UKs largest independent auction house, has the privilege of auctioning a vast array of artefacts and assets from the facility, which closed in March 2016.

The well-known factory, formerly known as ‘Players’, housed the artefacts and assets which would have been on display across the factory’s five floors which included two productions floors, office space, conference rooms and canteens.

Highlights of the artefacts and assets to be auctioned include:

  • Oil on canvas painting called ‘Players Navy Cut’ which depicts a sailor and partner with smoking paraphernalia. Signed ‘Bannibal’. Original was created for the design of a Player’s Navy Cut advert.
  • Oil on canvas painting called ‘The Nation’s Choice’ which depicts a batsman. Signed ‘Sep E Scott’. Original was created for a Nation’s Choice advert.
  • Oil on canvas painting called ‘Players Please’ which depicts a lady with a lit cigarette. Signed ‘Lambert’. Acquired by Imperial Tobacco in 1947.
  • Watercolour painting called ‘Mummy’s Favourite’ which depicts a child playing with cigarettes. Signed ‘Sep E Scott’. Original was created for a Mummy’s Choice Player’s Navy Cut advert.
  • Watercolour painting called ‘Cutty Sark’. Signed ‘Frank H Mason’.
  • John Payer & Sons brass factory sign. The sign was used on one of the original John Player buildings.
  • Original Victorian twin sided architects desk with 26 drawers.

The much-anticipated online auction will start on Thursday 25th May and all lots will be available to view at the auctioneers Marchington site in Staffordshire on 29th May, 10am – 2pm and at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground 6th June 11am – 3pm. The auction will end on 7th June from 12noon.

The artefacts are being sold within John Pye Auctions Luxury Assets division on behalf of Imperial Tobacco following the closure of the factory which once had the capacity to produce 36 billion cigarettes a year.

Trevor Palethorpe, national head of corporate valuations at John Pye Auctions, said: “This is an opportunity to purchase rare paintings and other artefacts which have only ever been owned by one major institution, and have only been seen by a small number of people as they have never been put on public display.

“Being a Nottingham firm we are incredibly proud to be working with Imperial Tobacco to sell what is a very interesting and eclectic range of pieces that have a strong history attached to them.

“I envisage a great deal of interest in this sale so advise interested parties to view the lots and bid at their earliest convenience.”

The Imperial Tobacco factory, which is on Thane Road, was built in the 1960s and opened in 1972 and in its heyday employed more than 1,000 staff.

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