Britain’s biggest collection of light bulbs has gone on sale – after the death of the luminary electrician who spent years hoarding them.
The set of more than 500 bulbs date back to 1890 and were amassed by Bill Carlton – a lighting and engineering specialist who travelled the world for his work.
Bill spent 30 years with Philips Electrical and was responsible for the interior lighting and floodlighting at Salisbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Bath Abbey.
In 1998 even appeared on the scientific TV quiz show Brainstorm hosted by Kenny Everett to explain the development of lighting through the decades.
He collected light bulbs during his career which featured in exhibitions at the Science Museum and the Institute for Engineering and Technology.
The set is now being sold and is expected to fetch over £3,000 at a sale on December 6 and 7 at David Lay Auctioneers in Penzance, Cornwall.
A spokesman said: ”’This rare and unusual collection gives us a fascinating glimpse into an emerging technology of the 1800s and some of the earliest attempts to mass-produce them.”
