Election-mania – five historical election collectables at auction this month

With just a month to go until polling day, you might like to snap up a piece of election history while you wait to cast your vote.

Here are five items coming up at auction for the politically minded collectors out there.

1. A vintage 1975 European Union election poster

With Brexit firmly at the forefront of voters’ minds ahead of the December election, collectors may want to bid for an original vintage election propaganda poster for the 1975 European Union membership referendum.

Offered at auction house AntikBar in London on November 16, the poster features an image of a Union Jack flag on an ostrich with its head buried in the sand and the statement Europe Support your Local Continent Vote Yes. This original EU referendum was held on June 5, 1975 under the provisions of the Referendum Act 1975, by the Labour government led by Prime Minister Harold Wilson (1916-1995). It was not a binding result but the poll resulted in 67.2% for yes and 32.8% to leave Europe.

The 17.5 x 11in (44.5 x 28.5cm) poster has an estimate of £120-240.

View and bid for this vintage 1975 European Union election poster on thesaleroom.com.

2. A Gladstone election jug

This 19th century Doulton Lambeth stoneware jug inscribed ‘Leeds Election 1880 Rt Hon W Gladstone’ will be offered with an estimate of £150-300 at the Potteries Auctions.

This lot is certainly one for the Liberals. The 19^th century Doulton Lambeth stoneware jug inscribed Leeds Election 1880 Rt Hon W Gladstone is decorated with a portrait of William Gladstone. The Liberals secured one of their largest-ever majorities in this election and Liberal leaders Lord Hartington and Lord Granville withdrew in favour of Gladstone, who became prime minister for a second time. It was the last election when the Liberals, or any party other than the Conservatives, would win a majority of the votes cast in a general election.

This jug will be offered with a £150-300 estimate at Potteries Auctions in Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, in a sale taking place over three days on November 8-10.

View and bid for the 9.5in (24cm) Gladstone election jug on thesaleroom.com.

3. A satirical broadside advertising a ‘Mock Election’

A 19th century satirical broadside – an historical poster – advertising a farce titled the Mock Election.

This 19^th century satirical broadside – an historical poster – advertises a farce titled the Mock Election in Weymouth to be performed by the Cumberland Company of Players.

The sheet comes with other items of ephemera (written and printed transient material) and is estimated at £400-600 at Forum Auctions’ November 21 sale in London. View and bid for this satirical broadside advertising a Mock Election farce on thesaleroom.com.

4. An 1832 general election commemorative beaker

A rare pottery beaker to be offered with an estimate of £100-300 at Historical & Collectables auction near Reading.

The 1832 general election was the first after the Reform Act and saw the Whigs political party win a large majority, with the Tories gaining less than 30% of the vote.

A number of newly created constituencies including Whitehaven in Cumberland were created following the Reform Bill.

This Whitehaven rare pottery beaker is printed in blue celebrates the passing of the bill on June 7 and is inscribed Littledale and the Independence of Whitehaven.

The beaker will be offered with an estimate of £100-300 at Historical & Collectables auction on November 16 at Padworth near Reading.

View and bid for this general election commemorative beaker on thesaleroom.com.

5. Political postcards

A collection of political postcards and ephemera to be offered at Lockdales in Ipswich with an estimate of £30-35.

This collection of political postcards and ephemera includes general election cards from 1885 and 1906 and Oxford 1910 parliamentary election documents. The lot comprises around 34 items and is offered at Lockdales in Ipswich with an estimate of £30-35 at its November 16-17 sale.

View and bid for this collection of political postcards on thesaleroom.com.

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