Cheshire man's quirky pie funnel collection set to fetch large sum at auction

A bargain-hunting pensioner nicknamed ‘Lovejoy’ spent decades collecting novelty PIE funnels which are now worth a tasty sum.

J.Sam Gresham travelled the world building his remarkable collection of 500 vintage kitchen utensils – with some dating back to the 1880s.

Pie funnels – also known as pie birds – are placed inside the pasty topping to create a hole to release steam to create a crispy crust.

Mr Gresham, who was born in Cheshire but lived in Teddington, London, spent over 30 years buying and selling eye-catching funnels.

The retired Shell engineer died last year aged 84 and now his family are selling his collection in the hope they will be enjoyed by other pie enthusiasts.

His son, Sam Gresham Jnr, 49, said: “Dad was from the generation that collected things - originally stamps and then matchbox labels.

“He got very specialised focusing on Japanese labels in the inter-war years. According to my brother, Toby, it all started when dad bought him a Toby jug.

“This led to him building Toby a Royal Dalton character jug collection. Apparently, dad was more excited about collecting them than Toby.

“It was during their trips to antique shops in London’s Portobello Road in 1992 that dad chanced upon a pie funnel.

“His collection started to build, as did his curiosity. The giant pie funnel collection was the net result.”

Mr Gresham used his keen eye to buy valuable funnels and also learnt how to restore damaged ones and became so expert he wrote a book about them.

Sam, a communications manager from Teddington, added: “Pre-eBay dad made a killing from them, flying over to the US with a suitcase full of them to sell at conventions.

“He used to make enough money to fund his entire trip and buy a new set of golf clubs, golf being his other passion.

“He also enrolled in a ceramic restoration class at college so he could restore and sell the funnels.

“He really just needed access to their kiln, I suppose he was a bit of a Lovejoy character. He sometimes made hundreds of pounds on funnels he’d bought for a couple of quid.

“Money raised went back into expanding his collection or buying golf clubs.

“When eBay came along it took the bottom out of the market but he was still able to spot a bargain and mastered sniper software which placed auto bids on items seconds before bidding closed.

“This ensured he got the best deal. He also spent many a happy hour at the Public Records Office in Kew researching patents for his pie funnel book.

“Though rarely used nowadays, celebrity chef Paul Hollywood launched his own pie funnel, as did Le Creuset and many pottery manufacturers.

“They’re all in dad’s collection. Pies are still hugely popular. In fact a British chef known as the Pie King, Calum Franklin, opened a Brasserie called Public House in Paris this year offering pie perfection to the French.”

Some of Mr Gresham’s funnels includes rare ones dating back to 1880.

They are expected to sell for thousands of pounds but could fetch far more when they go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on Friday (September 20).They are being sold in 14 multiple lots ranging from £5 to £70.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson, star of TV’s Bargain Hunt, said: “We see a lot of quirky collections but this one is extra special.

“It celebrates Britain’s love of pies and a Victorian invention to make them taste even better.

“Sam spent around £15,000 accumulating his pie funnels, So for any collector it’s an amazing opportunity to start or enhance a collection at a very affordable price.

“The family just want to find them a new home where they can be enjoyed.

“There are pie funnel collectors all over the world, particularly in the USA where Mr Gresham used to sell some of his finds.

“I hope we can find out who ate all the pies and unite this collection with appreciative new owners.”

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