Spicers Auctions will auction the items in their antique, arts and arcadia auction on November 24, starting at 10am.

Having recently changed hands, the new owners of Watermouth have decided to rationalise their extensive collection of automaton, arcadia, amusement and attraction machines.

Spicers Auctions valued the machines in the castle with a view to offering a number of interesting pieces for auction.

Auctioneer Andy Spicer looking at a hexagonal Allwin arcade machine, by O. Whales, Fun City Redcar, c.1955, containing five machines, Olwin Beach Ball, Olwin Skill Cup, 2 x Have a Go and one other, 92 x 169cm, 2p play.Provenance; Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe, North Devon.
Picture By Yorkshire Post Photographer, James Hardisty. Date: 15th November 2023. — Auctioneer Andy Spicer looking at a hexagonal Allwin arcade machine, by O. Whales, Fun City Redcar, c.1955, containing five machines, Olwin Beach Ball, Olwin Skill Cup, 2 x Have a Go and one other, 92 x 169cm, 2p play.Provenance; Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe, North Devon. Picture By Yorkshire Post Photographer, James Hardisty. Date: 15th November 2023.

Watermouth Castle is near Ilfracombe, North Devon, designed by George Wightwick as a residence for the Bassett family in the mid-19th century and is not a true castle but a country house built to resemble one.

It has been designated Grade II* listed.

In 1977 the castle was purchased by Richard L. Haines and his wife; over the years they filled the castle with weird and wonderful machines and rides, bought from a wide range of sources.

In 2023 the family sold the castle and its contents to The Escapade Group.

Andy Spicer looking at one of four very rare Disney scene's this being a Disney Fairground Scene Display, by Pytram Ltd of New Malton, Surrey, c.1936/38, a laminated cellulose fibre musical automaton display, playing on a polyphone disc, 186 x 88 x 190cm.
Copy of the original letter of instructions.
Provenance; originally made for the entrance hall of Butlins, either Clacton on Sea or Skegness.
Provenance; Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe, North Devon. Picture By Yorkshire Post Photographer, James Hardisty. Date: 15th November 2023. — Andy Spicer looking at one of four very rare Disney scene's this being a Disney Fairground Scene Display, by Pytram Ltd of New Malton, Surrey, c.1936/38, a laminated cellulose fibre musical automaton display, playing on a polyphone disc, 186 x 88 x 190cm. Copy of the original letter of instructions. Provenance; originally made for the entrance hall of Butlins, either Clacton on Sea or Skegness. Provenance; Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe, North Devon. Picture By Yorkshire Post Photographer, James Hardisty. Date: 15th November 2023.

Amongst the highlights are a very rare set of four early Disney display automatons, made by Pytram Ltd of New Malton, Surrey, c.1936/38, for the new Butlins resort in either Skegness or Cleethorpes.

These 190cm square x 90cm displays are thought to be unique and were a special commission from Billy Butlin with the backing of Disney who wanted to push Mickey Mouse and his friends to a new audience in the UK.

They are made of a fibrous celluloid, articulated and have a musical soundtrack using a polyphone disc.

Other highlights include a Play Football by Chester - Pollard Amusement Company, a Twins Drink Milk machine and a Laughing Sailor.

In all some 30 machines will be offered for sale.

There will also be other vendors entries including vintage slot machines.

Spicers Auctions: Collection of vintage arcadia machines from world famous Watermouth Castle collection to go under hammer