Dambusters Collection Sells For £24K

A collection of World War Two Dambusters memorabilia has sold at auction in Market Harborough for £24,000 – three times its pre-sale estimate.

It commemorated Wing Commander Guy Gibson – who led the legendary ‘bouncing bomb’ raid in 1943.

A pair of RAF cloth wings removed from his uniform sold for over £4,000, a Lancaster Bomber steering yoke soared beyond its estimate of £300, to go under the hammer for £3,400 and a facsimile copy of Gibson’s logbook fetched £2,000, against a guide price of £100 – £200.

Some of the collection to be sold at auction in Market Harborough yesterday

All 54 lots ultimately found homes with new UK-based owners, many of whom were in the room at Gildings Auctioneers to compete with internet bidders from all over the world.

Gildings director Mark Gilding said: “A fierce bidding war was always inevitable with this rare opportunity to acquire items from Derrick Warren’s unique collection commemorating Guy Gibson, so we’re thrilled that this homage to one of World War II’s most daring heroes has exceeded all expectations.”

“We consistently saw memorabilia across the 54 lots beating estimates, and the incredible results from the most sought-after items shows the magic that can happen when determined collectors go head-to-head at auction.”

Guy Gibson was killed in action aged 26 in September 1944 when his de Havilland Mosquito crashed returning from a raid on Germany.