A RARE banjo spotted in a Nantwich charity shop window by auctioneer Chris Large sold in a Peter Wilson auction for £2,300.


The Guardian reported two weeks ago that Nantwich auctioneer Chris Large noticed the banjo in the Shelter charity shop window in Beam Street on his walk to work at Peter Wilson’s Victoria Gallery.


He recognised it as a rare Clifford Essex Paragon four-string tenor banjo with engraved pearl headstock and fingerboard inlays and took the instrument, promising to give any money it made at auction back to the charity.


Chris predicted that the banjo would fetch around £500 at auction, but was shocked when it sold for £2,300 to a local enthusiast who beat off stiff competition from bidders on five telephones.


Chris said: “It’s a fantastic result and I’m delighted for the charity. I knew it would make more than the conservative presale estimate but I never expected such a great outcome as this.


“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it standing in the shop window. They were thrilled in the shop when I explained it was a valuable instrument. They were only too happy for me to put it into the auction, it’s a real windfall for them.”


The banjo was on sale in the charity shop for £25 when it was spotted by Chris.


Sue Davies, manager of the Shelter shop, said: “I couldn’t believe it. If it hadn’t been for Chris, it would have been sold for £25. The money it raised is fantastic for the charity - £150 pays for a representative to attend court and prevent someone getting evicted.”