This month’s two-day sale at Laidlaw Auctioneers and Valuers’ Carlisle auction rooms includes items as diverse as vintage film cameras, a large private collection of sporting and other celebrity autographs and a rare Second World War British paratrooper helmet.

The lure of Militaria has always been strong and prices at auction for the rarer items are particularly high, with interest coming from both home and abroad.

such lot in this auction offers a link to key battles of the Second World War is a scarce British Airborne Troops Steel Helmet.

Cumbria is linked to the parachute regiment by way of the 1st Battalion Border Regiment, selected to be a glider-borne unit of 1st Airlanding Brigade, 1st Airbourne Division. The battalion took part on the invasion of Sicily and the Battle of Arnhem.

These troops wore a unique pattern of helmet. The example coming up for auction is a rare early variant and bears a Royal Army medical Corps painted. Highly collectable it carries a pre-sale estimate of £1500 - £2500.

Other items of a military nature in the auction include a George silver Duke of Cumberland Battle of Culloden medallion and badges and spears associated with the Zulu Wars.

An impressive Victorian Neo-Classical silver trophy cup and stand by Elkington & Co will appear in this month’s sale.

News and Star: This rare helmet is going under the hammerThis rare helmet is going under the hammer (Image: Laidlaw Auctioneers & Valuers)Elkinton & Co was a silver manufacturer from Birmingham and was one of the principal manufacturers of prize and display silver.

One of their most famous pieces is the electrotype copy of the Jerningham Wine Cooler, held by the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The 1869 Elkington cup coming up for auction is decorated with depictions of classical Greek female figures and has a link to this county as it bears a later Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling presentation inscription.

This cup was made in 1869 giving it a long life before it became a wrestling trophy. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £2000 - £3000.

Film cameras are in high demand these days, with many photographers unable to resist the allure and uniqueness of working with traditional film.

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In a digital age there is a certain charm to the process of film, taking the image, developing the image, printing the image.

Standout cameras in the auction include a Rollicord IV Synchro-Compur twin-lens reflex camera and a MPP Mark VI Micro-Technical Cameras, to name just a few.

News and Star: This rare camera is for saleThis rare camera is for sale (Image: Laidlaw Auctioneers & Valuers)The two-day sale will take place on September 29 and 30 with viewing available on Thursday, September 28 and during the sale. Bidding is available online and in the room and all are welcome and encouraged.