AN impressive collection of Somerset Light Infantry Shako, helmet and cap badges and collar badges is among a number of historic items coming under the hammer at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s second quarterly collectors sale tomorrow, (Friday, June 7)

It is guided at £1,800-£2,000 and has attracted a good deal of pre-sale interest. The sale gets underway at 10am tomorrow (Friday) at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton.

An interesting collection of Tazmanian photographic lantern slides, which includes portraits of the last full-blooded Aborigine woman – Trucanini. There are also views of early townships.

In addition there is also a portrait of notorious convict Martin Cash, who escaped twice from prison. Born in Ireland he was transported to Australia aged 20 for shooting a love rival.

He later wound up in Van Diemen's Land and led an outlaw’s life. He attempted to escape Port Arthur – the supposedly escape proof colony, but failed. However, he managed to swim across the purportedly shark-infested Eaglehawk Neck – the first man to do so.

Remarkably despite his colourful life he died in his own bed aged 69 – one of the few bush rangers to die of old age. He dictated his life story to a ghost-writer towards the end of his life and this account gives a glimpse into his adventures. Buck and Joan Emberg later transcribed this account from the original manuscript and released it as The Uncensored Story of Martin Cash.

The sale will include nearly 400 collectables from coins and medals to railwayana, toys and dolls.

There is a very large collection of diecast model vehicles from classic Dinky’s from the 1950s through to modern collectors’ items.

Among the more recent collectables are a number of Lego Star Wars items. These include a Lego No.4504, Star Wars Millennium Falcon, original trilogy edition, 2004, with instruction booklet. The pieces have been used and re-bagged, believed to be complete, but unchecked and boxed. It is guided at £50-£70.

The collectors’ sale will be preceded today (Thursday, June 6) by the regular monthly antiques sale, which includes an impressive jewellery section. The sale, which features nearly 600 lots, gets underway at 10am.