‘Larger-than-life’ islander’s belongings to be auctioned

Mr Burley, a renowned after-dinner speaker and a well-liked local figure, particularly in cricketing and horse-racing circles for four decades, died last November at the age of 78.

The items being sold at next Wednesday and Thursday’s auction at Martel Maides in Cornet Street are reflective of Mr Burley’s interests and passions, with a variety of equestrian, cricket and wildlife-themed treasures on offer, along with masonic items and some more functional objects.

They include a miniature cricket bat signed by the Hampshire County cricket team, a bronze sculpture of racehorses by world-leading equestrian sculptor Philip Blacker, and several porcelain models of wild birds.

Martel Maides auctioneer Guy Cooper was impressed at the size and quality of the collection.

‘It really does tell the story of who Mr Burley was,’ he said.

‘Everything is covered in terms of what he loved, there are all sorts of things, some nice models and ceramics, it’s a really good collection.’

The most valuable items among the 114 objects are three signed paintings by renowned British artist Edward Seago.

One of them, a work depicting an atmospheric, wintry view of London’s Trafalgar Square, is estimated to be worth between £15,000 and £25,000, making it the single most valuable item on offer.

The other two paintings – Herringbone and other Mares in a Paddock and The Bicester Hunt – are valued at between £8-12,000 and £10-15,000 respectively.

Aside from the artworks, the most valuable piece is likely to be a side table attributed to 18th-century woodworker Thomas Chippendale, which has an estimated value of between £7,000 and £10,000.

‘We don’t know for certain if Chippendale made it but it’s certainly associated with him,’ Mr Cooper said.

He was hopeful that most items would sell next week, in part due to how well-known Mr Burley was locally, but also because of the objective quality of items.

‘Nearly everyone we have spoken to about the auction has a story to tell about John, he clearly was a very popular man,’ he said.

‘But we have had interest from the mainland too, which shows that the items are good in their own right.’

David Piesing, who knew Mr Burley for over 40 years and had often played and watched cricket with him through the Guernsey branch of the Lord’s Taverners, said the collection would likely be a ‘treasure trove’ of memorabilia.

‘Knowing him as I did, and how much of a larger-than-life, raconteur-type figure he was, there are bound to be some fascinating, probably priceless items in there,’ he said.

‘He had an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of both cricket and horse racing, so goodness knows what he might have had kicking around at home.’

Mr Burley moved to Guernsey from England in 1973 following the sale of his family business. He lived in Mount Durand for the next 50 years. Mr Cooper described his home as a ‘museum to souvenirs from his colourful and considerable life’.

Among his business interests he was chairman of Island FM and Le Riche’s and chairman of the Floral Guernsey Council.