Ewbank’s, Surrey’s leading auction house, has many intriguing items consigned for sale for its mid-February sale of militaria, stamps, books and photography, including a World War II instrument panel believed to be from a Spitfire.
 
The panel, fitted with original instruments, some of which are dated 1943-44, was gifted to the father of the vendor, by a Polish airman at the end of the war, and has a pre-sale guide price of between £500 and £1,000.
 
Viewing in person is recommended for this fascinating lot, as it is sold without a condition report, and is sold as seen with all faults and omissions, including damaged glass on the ‘turn and slip’ indicator.
 
A large and comprehensive collection of more than 550 military cap, collar and shoulder badges, including re-strikes and reproductions plus related items, has an estimate of between £500 and £1,000. 
 
Among the many medals on sale is a Queen Victoria South Africa medal, with 1901 date clasp and five battle and state clasps which has been valued at between £100 and £200. The clasps are for Belfast, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein and Cape Colony. 
 
It was presented to Captain Frederick Leonard Hingston, of the First Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Ypres, on April 26 1915. Captain Hingston was mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette on September 10 1901, and received this South Africa medal with six clasps from the Boer War. 
 
Also, on sale in the militaria section of the auction, is a French Model 1845 Infantry Officer's Sword which has a guide price of between £100 and £200. 
 
Stamp collectors’ interest will be piqued by a collection, sold as one lot, of eight albums, five stock books, and loose stamps, including an 1840 Penny Black, used with three margins, a 1948 silver wedding £1 stamp in mint and used condition, and decimal commemoratives and definitives. It carries an estimate of between £400 and £600. 
 
Among the books a first edition, first impression, copy of E.M. Forster’s 1908 novel A Room with A View, has been valued at between £200 and £300. It is in original red, vertically-ribbed cloth, with spine and front cover lettered in gilt. 
 
The sale takes place on February 14, and the deadline to consign items for sale is February 8.
 
The team at Ewbank’s is available for free sale valuations on lots in all categories from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm at the Burnt Common saleroom in Send just off the A3. 
 
-          Ewbank’s: 01483 223101 or email valuations@ewbankauctions.co.uk. 

-          Live internet bidding is available through  www.ewbankauctions.co.uk and www.theauctionroom.com