Very large fossil fish fragment - Pygopterus, 46cm wide
The David Thomas Turner Collection - Part II (1945 - 2023)
Presenting the David Thomas Turner - Part II (1945 - 2023) collection of fossils and geological specimens.
David Thomas Turner was was born in East Yorkshire and attended Pocklington School where his favourite subjects included Latin, History and Geography. As a young man his interests developed in gardening, bird watching, history, geology and the natural world.
He pursued a career in horticulture, studying at Askham Bryan College near York and then moving to Essex to attend Writtle Institute of Agriculture to study commercial horticulture. He became an employee of the agrochemical firm May and Baker and made Chelmsford his home. It was in 1973 that a visit to Speeton on the East Yorkshire coast sparked his passion for collecting fossils, a hobby which remained with him throughout his life.
His interest in geology and fossils developed further as he became Field Visits Secretary for the Essex Rock and Mineral Society and a member of the Essex Field Club. David travelled extensively throughout the United Kingdom, both organising trips and attending visits to geological sites, archaeological digs and places of interest. He also travelled the world in pursuit of his various interests in history and the natural world, visiting places such as the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Rico, California, New Zealand, Hawaii, Iceland, The Azores, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and many more. His extensive collection of geological specimens, fossils and artifacts, which is predominantly composed of U.K. examples, comprises his own finds, augmented by purchases from dealers, collectors and trade fairs across the U.K.
Sold for £46
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Auction: Specialist Collectors', 13th Jun, 2024
Reeman Dansie’s latest Specialist Collectors’ auction was a busy one, with almost 1800 lots offered throughout the three days. Day one started with jewellery, silver, and watches, where highlights included a Second World War Eterna 'Dirty Dozen' military wristwatch, which sold above estimate at £1778 (lot 230). The coin section followed, and we were particularly delighted to offer part of the local ‘Messing Hoard’ of Civil War coins, including an Elizabeth I silver hammered Half Crown (lot 454, £1168). The day concluded with medals and militaria, where notable lots included a George III officer’s sabre (lot 950, £533).
Day two opened with ceramics and glassware, where the top-selling lot went to a Royal Crown Derby Imari pattern tea set at £2286 (lot 1204). Ephemera, stamps, and books were next to go under the hammer, followed by toys, which included more pieces from the late Barry Butcher collection, several of which made well over their estimates, including a rare boxed action figure of Maximilian from the 1979 Disney film The Black Hole (lot 1831, £1778).
The final day of the sale include automobilia, vintage and designer clothing, music, cameras, and miscellaneous items. There was strong competition for a collection of Chinese textiles, with a silk robe selling for £965 (lot 2122). There was also considerable interest in part two of the David Thomas Turner collection of fossils, with many lots selling for above estimate. Other highlights of the day included a collection of 19th century microscope slides (lot 2554, £3556), and a good collection of fountain pens (lot 2650, £2032).
Thank you to everyone who attended the sale, and we look forward to welcoming you to our next Specialist Collectors’ auction in August. Before then we will be holding a number of other sales, which you can find details of on our website.
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