Featuring in our 4 March auction 'Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall', join us as we explore The Bill Wrather Collection of Automobilia.
5 February 2025
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William 'Bill' Wrather (1939-2023) was a much-loved collector of anything old, beautiful and well made, and this extended to property, antiques, motor cars and bicycles.
A 'Michelin' forecourt trolley compressor (£1,000-1,500)
Although a proud Yorkshireman, born in Sheffield, his success was forged in Manchester, where he began his career as a retail agent before founding his own general practice in commercial agency, trading as Wrather and Co.
Not satisfied with advising others, however, he began to acquire and develop buildings in his own right and generally held them as investments. He built a significant portfolio of refurbished period office buildings, principally in Manchester City centre, and at one time owned most of the city's Albert Square. His broad collection also encompassed retail parks, industrial estates and shopping centres, venturing beyond the Manchester metropolitan area.
The Bill Wrather Collection of Automobilia
Away from corporate life, Bill was passionate about motor cars, ranging in date from the very early Victorian era through to the sports cars of the 1960s. He had a fabulous stable which included an Aston Martin DB5 Volante, a 1928 Bentley Speed Six, a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, a 1908 Napier 38-hp, a 1914 Humber TT race car and 1897 and 1903 Panhard et Levassors. There was also a significant collection of pre-1900 bicycles, tricycles and penny farthings.
A Rolls-Royce 'Spirit of Ecstasy' car mascot (£300-500)
Together with his wife, Vicky, he spent many joyful years at Boden Hall. It was also where he passed away, having faced a debilitating illness with remarkable fortitude, supported by his devoted family.
Bill always enjoyed a party and was an enthusiastic user of his cars at home and abroad. He was much loved by his friends, particularly those who shared in his motoring hobby, and is greatly missed.
privatecollections@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
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