A piece of Suffolk television history is going under the hammer today.

East Anglian Daily Times: Signed autographs from the cast of Lovejoy are being auctioned off with a lot that includes the Lovejoy Antiques sign that also sports autographs.Signed autographs from the cast of Lovejoy are being auctioned off with a lot that includes the Lovejoy Antiques sign that also sports autographs. (Image: Archant)

Mander Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, near Sudbury, have been tasked with finding a new home for a sign used in the BBC show Lovejoy of the 1980s and 90s.

East Anglian Daily Times: James Mander is auctioning off a sign from the show Lovejoy on Saturday as part of a lot with signed photos of the locally based tv show.James Mander is auctioning off a sign from the show Lovejoy on Saturday as part of a lot with signed photos of the locally based tv show. (Image: Archant)

Large parts of the programme, which starred Ian McShane as the loveable rogue and antiques dealer, were filmed in Suffolk.

The sign being auctioned is one of several that hung outside the titular character’s workshop.

Its current owners acquired the sign at a charity auction run by Bonhams auctioneers, which was attended by the cast more than 10 years ago.

At the event it was signed by several stars of the show and this time the lot will include some related press cuttings and a cast photo, also signed.

Since then it has been hanging in the owner’s kitchen but as they now wish to downsize the time has come to sell the sign.

Auctioneer James Mander said: “This is the type of object that makes my job so exciting. You never know what is going to turn up at the saleroom.

“I’ve placed a guide price of £200-300 on the sign, although it is not an easy item to value.”

Various places in Suffolk played host to parts of Lovejoy’s adventures, including Lavenham, Bildeston and Bury St Edmunds.

Earlier this year a house in Long Melford which was seen in the series was put up for sale at just under £1m.

The Butt and Oyster pub in Pin Mill also appeared in an episode of the show, which ran from 1986-1994.

The interior of the Six Bells in Walsham Le Willows also featured in the first three series, but the films were mirrored for an unknown reason meaning several special costumes and props were required to make the footage appear the right way round.

Further details about the sale and today’s auction , which runs from 10am, are available at www.manderauctions.co.uk.

The auction will take place at the company’s premises in Lower Road, Glemsford, only a stone’s throw away from Belchamp Hall, which often featured in the show.