Only Fools and Horses items go up for auction including original yellow three-wheel van

A huge collection of iconic items from Only Fools and Horses has gone up for auction - including an original three-wheel van and Trigger's medal from the council for 'preserving' his broom.

More than 150 special items connected to the long-running sitcom are being sold to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

They include the 1973 Reliant Regal Supervan III - signed by David Jason - the original hang glider Del crashed in and Uncle Albert's war medals along with multiple items from the Trotter's flat.

The collection went live today (Fri) after being catalogued by East Bristol Auctions, who said they had so many items they say they have been able to 'recreate' Del-Boy's flat in their showroom.

The most anticipated item going under the hammer is the original Reliant, which was the official promotional vehicle for the Only Fools & Horses Appreciation Society.

The vehicle was used by the BBC several times over the years – including for the official DVD box set, as well as official books and various other promotional material.

Auctioneer Andrew Stowe said the collection was unique.

He added: "It’s as close to the real thing as you can ever get, and has some incredible connections to the series.

"It’s iconic. Everyone knows Del Boy’s van – it just makes them smile. We had it parked outside our saleroom for a matter of minutes, and there was already a small crowd gathering for selfies with it."

The van carries an estimate of £15-20k.

Among the other highlights within the sale include one of Uncle Albert’s original war medals, worn by Buster Merryfield on screen in the series.

Andrew added: "Albert’s war stories were one of the longest running gags so to have one his medals that he was given ‘during the war…’ is really special."

Also up for grabs is a medal used in the famous 1996 Christmas special ‘Heroes And Villains,’ which is presented to the character Trigger for his ‘services to road sweeping’.

The councillor who awards the medal is later saved from muggers by Del and Rodney whilst dressed as the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, which was filmed just off Stokes Croft, near the centre of Bristol.

Larger items like a replica of Del’s bar, a limited edition gold van door, and even a full ‘Del Boy’ costume set are also included and expected to fetch thousands under the auctioneer’s hammer.

Andrew said they expected a strong level of interest when the sale starts later this month.

He added: "Bristol is the home of Only Fools and Horses. Most of the later series were filmed in Bristol – we’re surrounded by locations.

"The block of flats used for Nelson Mandela House is just a short drive away, as well as the alleyway from the famous Batman and Robin scene. There is a real connection to our city.

‘The collection, most of which comes from the Only Fools And Horses Appreciation Society, has been amassed over many years, and is expected to fetch over fifty thousand pounds.

"Many of the items used in the series – particularly in the Trotter flat – were fairly valueless items, but now have a certain chic and are actually in vogue.

"From gaudy patterned carpet, to lifesize ceramic dogs – he had it all in his flat.’
‘Only Fools fans are uniquely British – but they number in the thousands.

"To have some of the most iconic pieces in comedy history here in our saleroom, is quite surreal.

"To be greeted by a lifesize Del Boy mannequin – with his famous sheepskin coat – every morning is a little strange, but great fun.

‘Cataloguing the sale was great fun – in one box we’d find Uncle Albert’s medal, followed by a ceramic cat that sings How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?

"We spent hours laughing as we worked through it all – pulling out an item from a famous episode, then re-enacting it."

The original Hang Glider from the episode Tea For Three has a price estimate of £10-15K, Trigger's medal £6-8k, Uncle Albert's war medal £4-6k.

The total sale estimate is £150,000.

The sale starts at 1pm on 26th November. In person bidding is welcome, and the catalogue can be viewed online at the auctioneer’s website bid.eastbristol.co.uk