A treasure trove of documents, books and pictures detailing Perth’s history is to go under the hammer at auction.
The several thousand items that will make up 100 lots form part of the estate of noted antiquarian George (Stanley) Keay, who died in December.
Mr Keay, known to all as Stan, was a former Perth town councillor and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and also worked with General Accident.
For more than 50 years he gathered everything he could lay his hands on that related to the city he loved.
The collection will be among 1,000 lots that go up for sale on Friday at Iain M Smith Auctioneers and Valuers, based at Perth Aerodrome.
Maps, watercolours and engravings show how the city of Perth has changed and expanded over the years.
Books on horseracing, cricket, football and bowls chronicle its sports while hardback volumes of Leslie’s Directories – a precursor to the Yellow Pages – detail its people and businesses.
Those perusing the pages of the directories – the earliest is from 1852 – can search for residents by name and address or by profession.
Mr Keay was also a keen supporter of Perth Theatre and there are many posters and programmes detailing its past productions – among them a programme for 1982’s pantomime Aladdin.
The family favourite will return to the stage as the first show in the theatre’s renovated auditorium.
Another lot comprises a small collection of Perth crested ware – china made in Stoke on Trent for the Fair City’s tourist market in the 1930s and 1940s.
Historical volumes detail the lives of the titled families that once called Perth home, while stunning photographs show it in years past – including one of trams on the Perth Bridge.
There are also five albums of postcards that show how the city has changed over the years.
A number depict the Perth Bridge, with a boating station to the fore. The city is currently progressing plans for a network of pontoons and boats to take visitors back onto the river.
Auctioneer Iain Smith said: “It is a very exciting collection and there has been a great deal of interest from a number of individuals.
“Mr Keay was a font of all Perth knowledge and for decades collected all manner of items with relevance to Perth.
“If there was anything you wanted to know about the city, he was the man to ask.
“The lots are from his estate. His house was stuffed with pictures, photographs, postcards and many books on the city.
“It is very rare that you see so many items of Perth interest together. They are being put up for sale by his family following his death.”
The auction sale begins at 10am on Friday, with bidding on Mr Keay’s collection beginning at 12.30pm.
