Sponsored Content: Extraordinary pub memorabilia to go under the hammer at Victor Mee Auction rooms

Fresh from the back of the annual Summer Garden Sale, the team at Victor Mee Auctions is delighted to present an extraordinary one-off pub memorabilia sale with the David Hughes Guinness Collection Pub Memorabilia and Collectables Sale taking place over three days - Tuesday, June 18; Wednesday, June 19; and Thursday, June 20. The auction house will bring to the rostrum almost 1,500 lots of superb pub memorabilia and collectibles that includes an incredible private Guinness collection.

The vendor of this Guinness treasure trove is one of the most esteemed figures in the collecting world, particularly revered among Guinness collectors. He has written numerous books on the brand, including ‘The Guide to Guinness Collectables’ and ‘A Bottle of Guinness Please’. They are books that delve into the art of Guinness’s renowned advert illustrator, John Gilroy, and the memoirs of Edward Guinness, the last family director. His expertise ensures the authenticity and value of these items.

David also brags about in-house knowledge having worked as a brewer in the brand's Park Royal brewery in London for 16 years. His time with Guinness inspired his passion for the company's history and afforded him the unique opportunity of delving into research from the Guinness archives. He subsequently earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and learned Guinness experts.

With his collection growing exceedingly vast today, David has reluctantly decided to part with his beloved pieces and among the many alluring items are several original artworks that will undoubtedly become the highlight of the sale. These framed sketches, illustrated and signed by John Gilroy, are rare and hold significant historical and artistic value.

Lot 246 is a framed Guinness for Strength Sculptor carving Stone Man After Henry Moore sketch by John Gilroy which is estimated between €600-€1200. Lot 323 is a Framed Koala on a branch with a Guinness bottle sketch signed by John Gilroy, estimated at between €400-€600 while Lot 379 is a Framed Guinness Zoo animals running pencil sketch by John Gilroy is estimated at between €400-€800.

Gilroy’s distinctive animal mascots are instantly recognisable worldwide and their charm makes them a welcome addition to Guinness collections. Meanwhile, Lot 247 is a framed Guinness toucan with a paintbrush pencil sketch by John Gilroy. It was gifted to David Hughes by art dealer Robert Lloyd. It’s estimated to be worth €200-€300. Lot 1 is an original framed advertising artwork depicting the Guinness Sealion and Ostrich (1953) that the vendor bought at Christie's, South Kensington in the late 1990s and is estimated to be worth between €600 and €1,200.

Several books are going forward written by the vendor, including lot 525, ‘Gilroy Was Good for Guinness’ written and signed by David Hughes, €20-€40. Lot 711, ‘The Lost Art of Guinness’ The Final Chapter Gilroy Canvases signed by author David Hughes is estimated at between €20 and €40 while Lot 738, ‘Guinness Bottlers Labels II’ composed and signed by David Hughes will go under the hammer at €20-€40.

Other notable Guinness items that are part of the private collection include: Lot 281 - Ruberoid Guinness penguin, €40-€60; Lot 636 – Rare Draught Guinness Ashtray with Penguin, opaque white glass by Nazeing Glass Works, one of the longest-surviving glass manufacturers in the UK, €80-€120; Lot 639 – Rare 1920s MB Foster & Sons small round cream plastic calendar, Bass’s Ales Lager, Beer, and Guinness Stout Cider Bugle Brand, €80-€160; Lot 642 - Rare 1920s WE Johnson & Co Liverpool Export Bottlers Guinness Compass, €60-€100; Lot 735 – Rare pottery water jug ‘Dogs Head Guinness’ with Read Brothers label by Adsigns Ltd, €60-€120; and Lot 1174 – Rare Guinness grey stone bulldog advertising model standing on a plinth, €80-€160.

Though immense, Mr Hughes’ private Guinness compendium comprises just some of the remarkable catalogue of memorabilia going to auction in this mammoth sale.

Also up for auction is an impressive assortment of pub and advertising signs, showcards, and mirrors, highly sought after by publicans, hoteliers, and avid memorabilia collectors. Lot 30 – Original Will's Gold Flake Cigarettes showcard in original stamped wooden frame, €120 to €120: Lot 90 - Jacob and Co Biscuits showcard in original stamped framed, €200-€300; Lot 145 – Rare Wills’s Gold Flake enamel advertising sign, €400-€600; Lot 150 – Apollinaris the Queen of Table Waters Pretty Polly advertising showcard in original stamped frame, €200-€300; Lot 216 - We sell Lyon's 2d Fruit Pies Many Varieties enamel advertising sign, €200-€300; Lot 224 - double-sided bilingual Oifig an Phoist sign with original pole bracket, €300-€500; Lot 813 - rare early 1900s McGee's Old Liqueur Whiskey framed advertising mirror, €1,800-€2,800; and Lot 1286 - Get Your Player's Please Here double-sided enamel advertising sign with bracket, €200-€400.

Speaking ahead of the sale, auctioneer Victor Mee added: “After a long time in the business, it’s a treat to come across a private collection of the caliber and esteem that David’s collection brags. In addition to the Guinness lots, we’ll present other rare and highly collectible pieces of memorabilia and antique advertising, all carefully compiled by the team here to make a very interesting and noteworthy catalogue.”