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The Peter Hooper 13th-19th Century Pewter Collection, Pilgrim Tokens, Medieval Brooches, Tokens etc - 258 Lots

The Peter Hooper 13th-19th Century Pewter Collection, Pilgrim Tokens, Medieval Brooches, Tokens etc - 258 Lots

2nd Jul 2025 by mike conroy

Peter was born in Wembley, London in 1930. His family moved to Dorset and then Wiltshire during the war years to avoid the bombing. He qualified as an Electronic Engineer and worked as a Nuclear Scientist at Harwell Nuclear Research facility in Culham, near Oxford. Whilst helping with church youth work, he met fellow youth leader, Ruth. They married and settled in Kennington village, near Oxford where they lived all their married life. Peter had many diverse hobbies and interests. From deep sea diving, steam engines, beer brewing and player pianos He was an avid reader and also a keen photographer, developing his own photographs at home. He had a particular passion for finding and collecting antique metal ware; coins, horse brasses, bells, weights and measure, ancient Thames finds, pilgrim badges and pewter in particular. He amassed a large collection of pewter as his interest and knowledge grew. He was a member of the Pewter Society for a number of years and contributed to the pewter society magazine, including producing photos for some Pewter Society books and publications. He also did some photography for the British museum on their pewter archive. He lectured at West Dean College as a guest lecturer for the students studying for a Metal Work Degree with the University of Sussex. On retiring from Harwell his passion and pewter collection continued to grow spending many happy hours with Ruth at antique fairs and Pewter Society meetings. Following the death of both Peter and Ruth, the collection is now being sold.