In a bid to clear ‘legacy debts’ the Royal Agricultural Society of England has put its collection of Royal Show cups and trophies up for auction.
The silverware has been listed alongside a library of animal husbandry, horticultural and machinery literature, medals and historic artwork, which combine to carry a value of around £200,000 to £300,000.
David Gardner, RASE chief executive, said the decision to put the collection of more than 330 lots up for sale had not been taken lightly but, with the Royal Show defunct for the past five years, there is “no longer a need” for the society cups and trophies.
Instead, he said the money tied up in the collection could be put to better use “elsewhere”.
“The sale will allow the RASE to completely clear its legacy debts, the most significant of which is a deficit associated with a defined benefit pension scheme for past employees,” said Mr Gardner.
“It will allow the society to pursue its new agenda unhindered by the past . . . I suppose we no longer have a need for it.
“It costs us to keep it in terms of insurance, and we can use the money elsewhere.”
The items, which have now been removed from Stoneleigh Park, will be auctioned by Dreweatts & Bloomsbury in London a week today.
With widespread disappointment emanating from many of the livestock breed societies as news of the auction spread, it is anticipated that many representatives from the former Royal Show sections may bid to “buy back” their historic silverware.
Mr Gardner said RASE had indeed spoken to a number of societies that had raised concerns about the sale of the breed specific silverware, including those based in Scotland.
The Galloway Cattle Society’s Jubilee Challenge Cup is just one of the many Royal Show trophies listed for sale.
The Victorian silver twin-handled cup, made by London designer Robert Hennell IV in 1874, goes for sale with a guide price of between £400 and £600.
Dorothy Holdie, breed secretary for the Galloway Cattle Society, said its members were disappointed by RASE’s decision to sell the collection.
“There’s so much historic value in these items,” she said, adding that the auction system could result in many of the lots not finding their way to those they really matter to.
“We are hopeful we’ll get some of them back.”
The most expensive lot is a Sir Walter Gibley collection of 18th and 19th century pamphlets on agricultural, economic and social matters, which carries a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000.
Many of the cups and trophies previously presented at the Royal Show have been listed at between £100 and £600.
Potential buyers can view and bid for the lots through an online auction system.
The full catalogue of items available for sale can be found HERE.