Artwork raises cash for Macmillan Cancer Support
JOHN Gordon’s face was a picture when he unlocked a treasure trove of posters, prints and paintings.
Grandfather-of-three John was handed the keys to three storage rooms crammed to the brim with artwork two months ago - and has only managed to sort through a fraction of what he’s got.
The pieces were donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and 60-year-old volunteer John, of Portrush Avenue, Kings Norton, was given the task of cataloguing the haul and selling it.
“I saw what we’d been given for the first time two months ago - I was staggered, I certainly didn’t expect this much,” he said.
“I’ve worked through around 100 of them, but there’s thousands,” said John, a former fire officer who retired in 2000 after serving in stations across Birmingham.
“I’m on my own sorting them and as I’m looking through them every now and again one that is really nice will just hit you - it’s amazing, like a real treasure trove.”
But it’s all a labour of love for John, whose grand-daughter, Erin, now aged three, had a kidney removed just over a year ago after she was diagnosed with a cancerous Wilms tumour.
John also lost his father, John Gordon, uncle Robert Scott and cousin Yvonne Scott, to the disease.
“Somewhere along the line everybody’s involved with cancer,” he added.
The artwork haul was given to Macmillan by Allposters.co.uk when it moved abroad. The amazing collection includes photography, canvases and prints - most of them ready-framed.
“I’m actually learning as I’m going along because I’m searching the internet to try to identify the pieces. I’m loving it.
“There’s stuff by Andy Warhol, Van Gogh - I’m turning into a real name-dropper.
“There are some Jack Vettriano pieces that have taken my fancy and I’ll certainly be buying a few of those when I reach them. Actually, there’s so much that I like, you’ve got to be really selective.”
Macmillan spokesman Cat Yates said: “The prints were returns from previous sales. The majority are in perfect condition and were mostly returned simply because they didn’t match the colour scheme exactly.
“The majority of the pictures are worth at least £100 plus.”
The pictures are available to buy, with suggested donations to Macmillan ranging from £10, on John’s website www.macmillanprints.btik.com - local delivery conditions apply.
John also takes pieces out for art shows. Details are on the website’s Diary of Events section.
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