Check out the hospice's eBay shop this Second-hand September - North Devon Hospice

This Second-hand September, Ecommerce Co-ordinator Shelley explains why North Devon Hospice’s eBay shop is the perfect place to discover a whole host of historic treasures.

As Ecommerce Co-ordinator, I’d say I’m lucky enough to have one of the most interesting jobs here at North Devon Hospice.

This is because every day, not only do I have the pleasure of meeting different people who donate their pre-loved goods for us to sell online to raise vital funds but through these generous exchanges, I get to discover a whole host of interesting items that are often rich in history or craftsmanship.

From vintage ornaments to antique furniture, the weird and wonderful goods that pass through the doors at our Two Rivers warehouse never cease to amaze me. Just the other day, I returned from the front desk to find the most intriguing item gracing my desk: a photo album. But this wasn’t just any old photo album. The leather-bound spine and jewelled brass clasp indicated that it had survived many decades and held a curious past just waiting to be uncovered.

Our brilliant volunteers got to work and after several hours of researching, we ascertained that this was an antique photo album dating all the way back to the early Victorian era! As I flicked through its gilt-edged pages, I wondered how many happy memories this beautiful book had held before popping it onto our eBay shop ready to find its next loving owner.

Another item that also caught my eye one day in the warehouse was a shiny brass horn that a lovely gentleman had kindly donated. At first glance, I thought it may have been some kind of musical instrument but on closer inspection, I realised that this was, in fact, a car horn, confirmed by the rubber bulb that was attached to the top. Of course, I had to test it out! As I squeezed the horn, a wonderful tone rang through the metal, and I smiled to myself imagining the driver of a stunning vintage car honking cheerfully at passers-by.

After studying the horn, which had an intricate pattern on the front grill, and with a little help from the internet, I determined this model was known as a Klaxon and dated back to the early 1900s. A superb addition to any motoring memorabilia collection, this was another item for our eBay shop!

For me, the beauty of items like these is that they encourage us to be curious. They provide an opportunity to look back and discover parts of our history that had we not come across them, we may never have known about! Whether you’re new to antiques or are a seasoned collector, our hospice eBay shop is the perfect place to discover a whole host of historic treasures.

Visit www.ebay.co.uk/str/northdevonhospiceshop today to find your next additions and receive an extra 15% off with code NDH15OFF from midnight on Wednesday, September 13, for one week.