25 years | 25 objects | 25 artists

Made by AG Spalding & Bros, 1951

Purchased in 2017

Leamington has a rich sporting history and one of its most famous sports stars is the boxer Randolph Turpin. Over the years we have built a strong collection that tells the story of his career. Because boxing and Randolph Turpin are popular with collectors, items tend to be sold at auction. Because our budgets are small, we are often outbid. Therefore, there was great excitement when we were successful in our bid to buy these boxing gloves. They were worn by Turpin when preparing for his World Middleweight title fight with Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951.

Made in 2015

Given by Ashley Woolley-Khan in 2023

Our collection represents Leamington’s present as well as its past. The video games sector is one of the town’s largest employers, with more than 50 companies active locally, from independent developers to multinationals. Ashley Woolley-Khan was given this controller when he was working on the development of Guitar Hero Live at local studio FreeStyleGames.

Made about 1814 

Purchased in 2018 

This medallion was worn by Leamington’s Master of Ceremonies, also known as the Arbiter Elegantiarum (judge of elegance). Their role was to manage the social calendar of balls and concerts in the town. The history of the medallion tells us more about Leamington as a spa resort. We applied to external bodies to help us to raise the funds to buy it. It was purchased with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.

Made by Brenda Barnes, 2020

Given by Judith Watkin, Croft Medical Centre in 2021

We collect objects that represent the local impact of major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Brenda Barnes made and distributed about 130 masks to local residents in 2020. In the future, museum staff will use

Sketches Taken in Warwickshire During Holiday Trip, 1867

Pencil and ink on paper

Purchased in 2008

The drawings were made by William Colliss, an amateur artist, when he was staying in Royal Leamington Spa during a holiday in August 1867. Made at a time before photography was widely accessible, they offer a rare personal record of excursions in mid-Victorian Warwickshire. Colleting objects that tell us more about the history of Leamington as a tourist destination is one aim in LSAG&M’s Collections Development Policy.