Ross's Belfast, Tuesday 24th May - Tuesday 31st May
TBF Thompson was born in 1915 above his parents' grocery shop in the plantation town of Garvagh.
Leaving school at 15, he started a haulage business which thrived through the Second World War.
By the mid 1960's TBF Thompson would become a household name in Northern Ireland, having aligned with JC Bamford taking the agency for J.C.B. Aside from being one of the most prominent businessmen in the province, Thompson pursued an interest in evangelism leading to the establishment of TBF Thompson Ministries.
Ross's in Belfast has received instructions to sell by auction the Dr TBF Thompson and Mrs Thompson, Garvagh Collection. It is an eclectic mix of period furniture, silver, porcelain, and pictures compiled during the 1960's and 1970's from auction houses across Ireland.
One of the highlights of the auction is the Georgian Secretaire Bookcase (illustrated) (estimated £5000-£7500). Correspondence from Lord Castlereagh dated 1933 confirms that the bookcase came from his family. It was purchased by Sir Thomas Somerset, an Ulster Unionist member of Parliament from 1929-1945. Sir Thomas lived at The Weir, Belfast. The bookcase was lot 61 at the auction conducted by Ross's at The Weir in August 1972 where it was purchased by TBF Thompson.
