Historic plaque seeks cast iron bids

Monumental plaque from Oldham on ebay.co.uk

A PIECE of Oldham’s history is up for sale on eBay.

The 1906 cast iron plaque from the Victoria Market has a starting price of £749.99.

The plaque is marketed as a “superb and monumentally large and heavy cast iron plaque, probably by the Coalbrookdale foundry”, originally commissioned by Oldham Council in 1905-06 as one of a set to hang over the entrances of Victoria Market.

The market opened in 1906, replacing Oldham’s smaller market hall, but was destroyed by a huge fire in 1974. It is claimed the plaque was rescued from the ruins and is one of the four originals that can still be seen on the remaining wall of the old market place at the end of Curzon Street.

The seller states: “One was destroyed in the fire, and another which is known to have survived has disappeared. The one you are looking at is the only one ever likely to be in private hands, and is in entirely original condition.”

The plaque, which bears the Oldham coat of arms and motto, is 18in across and weighs about 15kg.


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