Antique miners’ lamps to light up sale

A specialist Miners’ Auction, taking place on Wednesday, 11th December at Newcastle auctioneers Anderson & Garland.

The sale will features 40 rare antique miners’ and pit lamps from esteemed makers such as Davis of Derby, Hailwood and Ackroyd, W.E. Teale & Co., Johnson Clapham and Morris, and The Wolf Safety Lamp Co.

In addition to the lamps, the auction offers a rich array of mining and union-themed artefacts, including pin badges from Nottingham, Northumberland, and beyond. Highlights include an extensive selection of pit check tokens and tallies from historic sites like Cresswell, Baddesley, and Arkwright Colliery.

One standout lot in the sale is a 19th-century brass Davy miner’s lamp by Laidler, Durham, estimated at £100–150. Other highlights include two ‘Hailwood’s Improved Lamps’ and two ‘Wolf’ type safety lamps, with estimates ranging from £100–200.

Also featured is a lot comprising over 100 enamelled mining and union-themed pin badges, as well as mining equipment, rare books, and prints.

One of the highlights of the art section of the sale Tom McGuinness’s evocative etching, Miners Entering the Cage.

Anderson & Garland’s Westerhope saleroom is steeped in mining history, situated near the former Coronation and North Walbottle pits. Once part of one of the world’s largest coal-producing regions, Westerhope grew significantly during the Victorian era with the discovery of coal reserves. North Walbottle Colliery, which produced 21.5 million tons of coal, closed in 1968 to prevent undermining the nearby Newcastle International Airport’s runway.

Fred Wyrley-Birch, Director at Anderson & Garland, said: “Anderson & Garland is deeply rooted in a region once renowned as one of the world’s largest coal producers. It is a privilege to offer this remarkable collection of miners’ lamps and memorabilia, which not only preserve the history of mining but also honour the ingenuity and resilience of those who worked underground.”