Hundreds of rare items recovered from shipwrecks, including cannons, crockery, and other treasures dating from the 16th century onward, are now up for auction.
The collection, housed at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown, Cornwall, is part of an impressive assembly owned by Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, who bought the museum a decade ago.
Reflecting on his decision to sell, Sir Tim said, “It’s a good little business, but it doesn’t make enough surplus to turn it into the great museum it could be, so we put it up for sale because we know it will all go to very good homes.”
Recalling his personal connection, Sir Tim added, “I used to be a wreck diver and this was the first place I visited in Cornwall.
When it came up for sale, I bought it on a whim.”
Among the artefacts, 500 of the most historically significant pieces have already been secured by a single unnamed buyer, yet there are still 700 lots set to go under the hammer.
The auction, which has already sparked significant interest, begins on November 5, while the museum building itself will be sold at a later date.
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