The family of an Aberdeenshire man who died last year are selling more than 1,500 items he collected at an auction next month.
Charlie Cooper, from Woodend, Bridge of Alford, died in February 2013 and his family have been clearing out his home.
The dealer had collected various items during his lifetime which the family now plan to sell, including engines, tools and machinery.
His daughter Doreen Watson said: “My dad was in World War II and he was a prisoner of war for five years. When he got out he had a sum of money which had built up from his wages, and he used that to buy Woodend from my granny in the late 40’s.
“When he left the army he learned to become a joiner, but he was also a postie.
“He would do the posting then get on the bus, sometimes changing his clothes on the bus, and go to the mart in Aberdeen to buy things for selling. He used to go to ex-government sales, he would travel all over.
“Everybody in the north-east knew my dad, he sold everything – once he even sold a boxing ring – just everything.”
Mr Cooper and his wife Mary were well known throughout the north-east. They lived with their four children in Alford, in the house which has belonged to the family for four generations.
He died shortly before his 94th birthday, but continued collecting items until well into his 70’s. The family have cleared more than a dozen sheds, and the items will be sold by Huntly Auctions.
“All those folk that have steam engines and things would like the pieces we’re selling,” said Mrs Watson.
“There’s a lot of old tools – dad never worked in metric, it was always imperial, so there’s a lot of old style tools. They’re good for people that restore old engines and motors, that kind of thing.”
The family plan to sell the Bridge of Alford house once the auction is complete, but not before having one last family gathering.
“We’re having a family reunion barbecue,” said Mrs Watson.
“All our cousins used to love coming to Woodend to see mum and dad for visits and holidays and things. So it’ll be a nice chance to get everyone together to say cheerio to Woodend. Dad was one of seven so there’s a lot of us.
“We would all love to keep the house in the family, but there’s four of us and it’s just not feasible. Letting it out would become a problem, so we’re just going to let it go out of the family.”
The auction will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 11am. Due to the volume of items it will take place at Mr Cooper’s home at Bridge of Alford.