Sport Commentator Unveils Unique Career Keepsakes for Sale

The late BBC sports presenter David Coleman’s personal items, including a vintage typewriter and career keepsakes, are set to be auctioned. These rare artifacts will go under the hammer at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, on Wednesday.

Coleman worked for the BBC for 46 years, providing commentary for Fifa world cups, the Olympics and presenting BBC’s primetime sporting quiz show A Question of Sport for 18 years. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 87, leaving behind a rich collection of typewritten scripts, interview transcripts, photographs and personal mementos.

Among the items up for auction is an Olivetti Lettera 25 typewriter used to compose many of his sporting coverage. Coleman was a veteran broadcaster who covered 11 Olympic Games and six Fifa world cups over a career spanning more than four decades in the industry. He also presented BBC Sports Personality of the Year from 1961 to 1983, as well as Match of the Day and Sportsnight from 1968 to 1973.

In addition to his production notes for Grandstand coverage containing interviews with now King Charles and Princess Royal, Coleman’s family is also putting up for sale his OBE certificate signed by HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as a Royal Television Society Hall of Fame certificate awarded in 1996. The collection includes photographs, sports patches, golfing trophies and caricature sketches from both his public and personal life.

Auctioneer Gordon Brockman said he was “delighted” to offer such significant items belonging to a stalwart character from the world of British sport. He predicted that Mr Coleman’s vintage cigarette trading cards would fetch the highest bid at auction.