AN ANDOVER woman’s incredible 800 piece thimble collection, auctioned after her death, has raised over £5,000 for her “favourite” charity.

Joan Hacking, who died in February, aged 92, asked that her unique collection of sowing items be sold at auction to raise money for children’s hospice, Naomi House.

The Eardley Avenue resident had collected the thimbles, many of them rare, from around the world over the last four decades.

Her two sons, Andrew and Simon, say the former Andover librarian began the hobby sometime in the 1970s.

She soon became hooked and would often seek out antique shops and auctions while on holiday, in order to bolster her collection.

Mrs Hacking was also a frequent visitor to Portobello Road market and a dedicated member of the national Thimble Society, whom she would buy new items from.

Her family would also give her a helping hand, buying thimbles as holiday presents or as gifts on special occasions.

Son, Simon, 61, said: “It kept us supplied with presents for Christmas and birthday gifts for many years.

“We never had to think about what to buy her.

“We’d also bring thimbles back from our holidays – I bought one back from Kashmir after a trip to India.”

Of the 800 plus items in her self-catalogued collection, Mrs Hacking’s favourite was her ‘Palais Royale’ thimble.

The rare piece, which sold individually at auction for nearly £400, was a 19th century design, originally made for use by the French aristocracy.

Andrew, 69, said: “It was definitely her favourite.

“For thimble collectors it is the ultimate goal to have one and she did.”

The entire collection was proudly stored in a display cabinet in Mrs Hacking’s living room.

However, from time to time she would take pieces out as part of talks to members of the Phoenix Club and Andover Collectors Club.

Prior to her death, Mrs Hacking requested that the collection be sold at auction to raise money for Naomi House.

The charity-minded mother-of-two had been a long-term supporter of the hospice, after visiting shortly after its opening in 1997.

Andover Advertiser:

(Mrs Hacking (right) with husband Lambert in Interlaken in Switzerland)

Speaking about the donation, Paul Morgan, head of fundraising at Naomi House and Jacksplace, said: “This significant gift is made all the more special because it is the result of such a special and personal collection.

“Gifts like Joan’s enable us to offer even more care and support to the most medically complex children in the region.”