Article: Money For Old Rope : The Continuing Story Of John Lee
By: Ian Rennie

On 7th October 2000 at The Old Ship Hotel, Mere, Wiltshire there was an auction of Antiques, Pictures, Works of Art and Books. Lot 228 in that Auction was a rather bizzare item as the Auction Catalogue description shows:-

Auction Catalogue Entry

Auction Entry Picture Word of the auction of this item had 'escaped' a short time before and had prompted an article in " The Times" of 27th September. In The Times article it was stated that the item was expected to raise between £200 and £300 but in the intervening period the interest in this item had heightened, so much so that the auction bidding actually opened at £1000. There followed some brisk bidding between would-be buyers on the telephone and those in the hall, which ended in the items being knocked down for £2800 plus buyers premium.

The items were purchased on behalf of a UK Museum specialising in Crime Memorabilia called " Crime Through Time" based in Newent, Gloucestershire and is available for public viewing in the museum.
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