Nottinghamshire County Council has announced it will auction off a trove of historical metrology equipment, once used by trading standards teams and going back to Victorian times.
This collection, comprising over 281 pieces of obsolete weights, scales, and measuring devices, promises a rare glimpse into the bygone era of trade and commerce regulations upheld in the county.
Funds will support the Trading Standards teams of today
The proposed sale, scheduled for the 2024/25 financial year, is part of a broader initiative to declutter storage spaces within County Hall and other premises while generating funds to support the council’s Trading Standards Service.
The decision comes in light of recent inventory findings, which uncovered the equipment languishing in the basement of County Hall and various garages and office buildings.
Some items date back to 1880
This collection, with items dating back to Victorian days and dated 1880 in some cases, includes an eclectic mix of weights and capacity measures, many of which bear inscriptions such as “The County of Nottingham” alongside inspectors’ stamps. This historical equipment is of course now redundant by metrication and advances in technology.
Nottinghamshire’s move follows in the footsteps of other Trading Standards Authorities, with past auctions fetching between £25,000 and £50,000. Such figures hint at the potential financial boon for the council, which aims to channel any proceeds towards the 2024/25 Trading Standards Service budget.
Public display for some of the items
In addition to the auction, the council plans to preserve a select few pieces for public display across local museums and county buildings. This initiative not only aims to declutter valuable space but also to pay homage to the local history and craftsmanship embedded in these instruments.
Auction of the antique metrology equipment
The auction is expected to attract collectors and history enthusiasts alike, drawn by the unique opportunity to own a piece of Nottinghamshire’s trading past. With the council in the process of selecting an auction house, anticipation builds over the potential discoveries among the 281 listed items.
There are 281 listed items in total and some of those items have multiples pieces of equipment within them.
The table gives a breakdown of numbers by type.
