Wallis & Steevens 7733, Stroud Auctions
 

This roller will be sold on 10th July by Stroud Auctions at their Moreton Valence site off the A38.

More informations and pictures from the viewing day - https://www.internationalsteam.co.uk...rollers482.htm

W&S 7773
 

Sorry for the mistake in the title, it should have been 7773 not 7733.

Has this engine been in Norfolk for the past couple of years ?

W&S 7773
 

The auctioneer told me that the collection was local to the Stroud area (it says 'Gloucester' in the TER) and the roller had been part of it for a while. That was the main reason that it had come to them.
I doubt many steam engines pass through their hands, in this case there were a fair number of vintage tractors present, the roller didn't really fit in at all, especially as it had no agricultural connection.

Wish people would stop saying this roller is the prototype Advance. 7772 was the prototype. 7773 was the first production model with the modified one piece cylinders.

Rufus Carrs old engine from Clitheroe. Done many miles on that one.

Almost as bad as thinking the batch of Advances sent to South Africa were the last built just because they had the highest makers numbers. Can't remember the reasons but soon after I bought 8112 in 2001 Derek Rayner sent me an article about it that he'd written some time before. Unfortunately two house moves and multiple computer upgrades later I can no longer find it in electronic or hard copy.

Interesting to see in the photos of 7773 on the International Steam website that it has the same style of makers plate bolted to the splash guard as seen on most of Wallis' conventional steam rollers rather than cast in to the splash guard as per all the other Advances I've come across. Anyone know when that change over happened?

W&S 7773
 

In the event, it was 'not sold', the bidding stalling at £31,000 below the unstated reserve and just short of the guide price which was £32,000 - £40,000.
No doubt it will now be sold privately.
Of course as always seems to be the case these days, there would have been a punitive 18% (+VAT) buyer's premium and the seller will have seen 15% (+VAT) clawed back as commission.

An unrealistic reserve for an Advance .

If it sold at £40,000, the auctioneer could net some £13,000. No wonder the likes of Berrybrook are becoming popular!