A volunteer at a Bolton charity shop was left 'mind-blown' after discovering a rare sculpture among donated items. The piece, crafted by artist Matt Buckley Edge in Shropshire, sold for £2,500 on eBay.
Unexpected Find in Donations
Catherine, a volunteer at the Bolton Hospice charity shop on Hillview Road in Astley Bridge, was sorting through a bag of donations when she noticed a metal tiger bust. She set it aside for further investigation. With experience in the shop's eBay auctions, she quickly recognized its potential value.
"It arrived in a big bag of random donations," Catherine explained. "We sorted through the bric-a-brac and I immediately noticed it was something worth looking into. Volunteering with eBay has given me the skills to recognise the item's worth out on the shop floor environment."
Limited Edition Sculpture
The tiger bust was one of only 250 produced by Matt Buckley Edge at his Shropshire studios under his Edge Sculpture brand. His 'bold and primeval pieces' are crafted from clay. The hospice listed the rare find on eBay due to expected nationwide interest.
The hand-painted bust was originally part of a limited edition collection for Tiger Territory at ZSL London Zoo, aiming to raise awareness that only around 300 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild. Numbered 135 of 250, the listing described it as 'a bit dusty, but otherwise looks in excellent condition' and included the artist's hand-signed signature.
Auction Success
The item attracted 35 bids on eBay, with the auction concluding on May 17. The winning bidder secured the bust for £2,500. "The whole thing has been really exciting," Catherine said. "Volunteering really is a great way to support the hospice."
This became the highest-selling item the hospice has ever listed on eBay, surpassing a previous sale of an original print by artist Tracy Emin. Other items currently available online include a set of first edition Harry Potter books, 1930s vintage art deco drawers, and a Citizen Promaster Wingman watch.
The winning bidder left a glowing review: "I am glad the money is heading to a fantastic charity. Fab communication and perfect transaction. Even better than I had imagined."
