What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of hoarders? More than likely, you think about somebody who fills their home with trash, often to the point where they don’t even have the ability to move about within their home freely.
Although that may be true in many cases, there are times when hoarders live up to their own self-description of being a collector. The way that you can tell the difference is by calling someone in the know and asking them which side of the fence you fall on. One man in England is happy he looked into the difference.
The man who did the investigating had a brother who was a computer programmer. He was only 44 years old when he died and was a bachelor.
The thing about this man is that he had earned the title of ‘Britain’s Biggest Order’ after filling up his entire three-bedroom home in Nottingham with nothing but boxes, bags, and packages.
It wasn’t just his home that was filled from floor to ceiling, he had 24 bins outside, two rented garages and even stored things in his neighbor’s backyard. He eventually had to move out of his home because there was no place for him to live within it.
When the man died and his brother started cleaning up the home, he was prepared to throw everything away. That is when he got the idea to call in Terry Woodcock of Unique Auctions in Lincoln to have the horde evaluated.
Woodstock was astounded with what he found, saying “This collection is beyond belief. I met the man’s brother at the house and he was just as shocked as I was. He had no idea his brother lived like he did. His house and garage were literally crammed full of items.”
It seems as if the deceased man had ordered items online to fund his retirement by selling them in his later years. Some of the items included vintage electronics, old science kits, Beatles memorabilia, rare comic books, and many other valuable collections. There wasn’t any rhyme or reason to how he had them stacked in the home.
Metro reports that eight men and three vans worked six weeks to get the house clear. That doesn’t even count the time necessary to open packages and research what was inside. In the end, however, there was a value of between $650,000 and $5,200,000.
“He didn’t buy rubbish, a lot of it was top quality stuff,” Woodcock confirmed.
“After he passed away his brother’s first inclination was to send it all to the landfill. Luckily he didn’t,” he continued. “We couldn’t get in through the front door so we had to go around the back. We were totally amazed at what we saw.”
After being sorted into more than 3000 lots, a sale of those items will take place at the end of October.
“Dates for Your Diary – The Largest Hoarders Collection Auction at Unique Auction House, Lincoln,” the Lincoln Auctioneers Unique Auctions Facebook page shared.
“Over 60,000 items will be divided up into 3,000 Lots for sale at this very UNIQUE Auction to be held: 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th October.”
“Highlights of the Auction include: A superb collection of 2,000 plus Space and Russian space exploration items, including slides, negatives, signed items and related books etc. A fantastic collection of Beatle memorabilia and collectable items. 6,0000 comics including DC; Batman; Hawkman; Superman; Secret Agent and Adventure Comics, plus many other titles (See Comic Photo Album with just a few titles listed).”
The post added: “2,000 plus items of binoculars including Zeiss, cameras, lenses, radios, receivers and radio equipment. Musical instruments including Rickenbacker Guitar and others. Over 4,000 records (LP’s & Singles), plus Elvis related items.
“Large quantity of cinema and other film reels and related items, including United Nations, Steamboat, 20th Century, Harry Truman, and USA Military etc. 3,000 plus chemistry and electronic sets. 4,000 plus books and magazines, with many relating to Gandhi, Churchill and JFK etc.”
It’s sad to think that the man was never able to see the true value of his collection. Thankfully, his brother looked into it before simply tossing it to the curb.