IPSWICH: A self confessed hoarder has dug out a couple of real gems from his mountain of memorabilia.
Clutterbug Ken Bloomfield, has amassed quite a collection of souvenirs in his 80 years.
The former social worker has stockpiled so many interesting artefacts that he completely forgot about a couple of real bobby-dazzlers.
Serial collector, Mr Bloomfield, from Bridport Avenue, Ipswich, suddenly remembered he had stashed away a pair of well-dated calendars after reading about a valuable Penny Black stamp in The Evening Star.
He hasn’t a clue how much the items are worth but was eager to dust them off and let us take a gander.
The older of the two is from way back in 1900 and depicts Queen Victoria and the royal household enjoying some family time.
The second is a football fan’s dream – a reminder of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign in 1966 – complete with charming annotations like ‘Disposition of Groups’.
Mr Bloomfield said: “They’ve been in the attic for ages with lots of other old stuff.
“I don’t remember how I got hold of either of them but they’re not much good to me, so I’ll take whatever I can get for them!”
Mr Bloomfield is no careless collector – back in 1953 he foresaw Ipswich Town’s promotion from Division Three South and set about accumulating signatures of the entire squad.
Among his extensive collection of treasures are 200 photos – many signed – of 1940s matinee idols and one of his favourite mementos – an autographed snap of Aussie tennis legend Rod Laver.
“He was coming out of a restaurant at Wimbledon,” Mr Bloomfield reminisced. “I was at the photo stall holding his picture and I asked him to sign it.
“I remember him being a very pleasant man.”
n Have you uncovered a forgotten treasure? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.
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