Ewbank’s, Surrey’s leading auction house, is preparing for its sale of militaria, scientific instruments, photography and other collectibles on February 15.

It will also feature a collection of more than 40 pieces of vintage surveying equipment which will go under the hammer to raise money for charity, following a generous donation by a chartered land surveyor.

Nigel Atkinson FRICS has consigned the fascinating collection to raise money for LionHeart, the charity for members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), past and present, and their families, as he prepares for retirement.

Ewbank’s will waive all vendor charges so LionHeart receives the full proceeds. Senior partner Chris Ewbank FRICS, a former chair of the RICS Fine Arts Advisory Panel and Governing Council member, said the team at Ewbank’s was delighted to be involved in supporting such a good cause. 

The total value of the collection has been conservatively estimated at between £3,000 and £5,000, but will be split into 41 separate lots. Experts at Ewbank’s believe the collection will be popular with buyers.

Highlights include a late 19th century Everest-pattern theodolite, unsigned and unboxed, which has a guide price of between £200 and £300. A Kern E12 electronic Theodolite from the 1990s, including a box of prisms and battery, has an estimate of between £600 and £1,000. A mechanic calculator, dated 1948, in original metal case with original instruments has been valued at between £300 and £500. It was made by Contina Ltd, Liechtenstein.

Another lot in the sale which has been consigned to raise proceeds for a charity is a rare first edition, first print, of Anthony Burgess’ iconic 1962 novel A Clockwork Orange. All proceeds will go to The British Heart Foundation. It’s been conservatively valued at between £800 and £1,200, although it’s expected to see a higher final price.

Among the militaria lots, is a group of WW2 medals and large family archive, including an RAF pilot’s log book, press clippings and photographs, which carries an estimate of between £400 and £600. The medals and archive are of Squadron Leader A. A. Pearce, and include 1939 -1945 World War II medal, Defence Medal, 1939 - 45 Star, Africa Star and Italy Star. Among the archive items is a WW2 RAF Irvin brown leather flying jacket. Squadron Leader Pearce served for 21 years in the RAF, and flew more than 20 types of aircraft including Hurricane, Spitfire, Mosquito, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, and the mighty Lancaster Bomber.
 
Keen stamp collectors will be intrigued by a comprehensive Queen Elizabeth II collection of unmounted and used commemoratives, definitives and regionals dating up to 2013, including booklet stamps. The collection has been valued at between £400 and £600.

A slightly more unusual collection, of steel surgical instruments in a surgeon’s bag, both made by Down Bros., is also going under the hammer on February 15. It has a pre-sale guide of between £250 and £350.

 
•      Ewbank’s: 01483 223101 or email valuations@ewbankauctions.co.uk. 
•      Live internet bidding through www.theauctionroom.com and www.ewbankauctions.co.uk.