A COLLECTION dating back 250 years is likely to attract collectors from around the world when it goes under the hammer in Dorchester.

One of the largest collections of silver bottle and sauce labels ever sold will go up for auction at Duke’s in Dorchester on Wednesday.

The collection, pictured right, was formed by the late Marion Morrell, who expanded the collection of her father and moved to Dorset in her later years before passing away in 2006.

Silver bottle and sauce labels, pictured right, were often produced by silversmiths to show off their skills and became popular in the 18th century.

The collection offers an insight into culinary history from the accession of King George in 1760 until the end of the 19th century, including wine labels as well as sauces such as ketchup dating back to the early 1800s and ‘essence of anchovies’.

One of the labels, designed by Elizabeth Morley in London in 1812, is expected to sell for up to £1,000.

Guy Schwinge from Duke’s said: “This is an outstanding collection. The auction represents an opportunity to acquire a piece of drinking or culinary history”