Leonard studied mechanical engineering gaining his degree from Imperial College. This was his true passion, and following in his father’s footsteps, he joined the family business ‘Taskers’ who made many engineering items but excelled in the production of bespoke high specification road trailers. Indeed, in his very early years, Leonard assisted his father, Arthur,  filing MOD papers during WWII. At this time Leonard’s father designed and built (at his own cost) a special trailer called the Queen Mary trailer to transport spitfires and other aircraft back to the factories to be repaired. This design was comprehensively adopted with the Queen Mary trailer being subsequently put to use across the globe. Sadly, Taskers suffered many pressures after the war requiring the location of the firm to be moved from the Anna Valley site to a lower cost base further north. This was devastating for Leonard and many of the other highly skilled staff, so he and a few colleagues set up a new company in 1984 called Andover Trailers which is still in business today. He sold the firm to another passionate mechanical engineer in 1992 but continued as a director. Leonard was also a director of the trade body SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) where he became a driving force for change and standardisation in the UK, and also worked with Europe to set new standards.

Leonard was a true English gentleman, he was always courteous, very polite and always well turned out. He had great knowledge of the motor industry but was also very knowledgeable about horology, the arts and nature. He lived from the age of thirteen in the picturesque private family estate in St Mary Bourne surrounded by nature, tranquillity and his beloved ancient wood.

He continued to work full-time right up until his late 70’s, and then decided to go part-time and then fully retired at the age of about 82. He still kept in contact with Andover Trailers but this now allowed a little more time to focus on the things he wanted to do. He loved travelling with his friends to Greece, Italy and beyond exploring historical sites and was fascinated by the engineering skills of the Romans and Greeks. Leonard also followed in the Fuller family’s passion for collecting, and established his own particular interest in horology putting together a carefully considered collection with the clocks placed throughout the house and kept in working condition. He also continued to work with machinery, making his own clocks from basic metal and using his lathes and other engineering tools whilst still entrusting the maintenance of his valued timepieces to highly experienced antiquarian horologists.

Leonard acquired most of his clock and watch collection during the late 1960’s into the 1970’s but was still buying in 2004. This is when he acquired the Vallier, Lyon, pre-hairspring watch (Lot 1102) together with movements by George Graham, John Knibb and Thomas Tompion as a group for £14,000 from Gerald E. Marsh, Winchester. It would appear that his preferred source was G.H. Bell of Winchester, from whom he acquired many fine pieces including the highlight of his collection, a Charles II month duration longcase clock by Thomas Tompion, numbered 136, in September 1966 (Lot 1246). Other items in the collection were acquired from Malcolm Gardner of Sevenoaks, as well Aubrey Brocklehurst, Camerer-Cuss, Charles Frodsham and Even Liberty and Company of London.

Leonard passed away on the 23rd April 2024 in St Mary Bourne. Neither Leonard nor his sister Margaret married so the direct family tree stopped with them. They were both passionate about their careers and enjoyed their lives following their passions.

Leonard’s wishes that his collection is to be sold to benefit charitable causes is testament to his gentlemanly character.

Lots belonging to the estate of the Late Leonard Arthur Colston Fuller are included throughout the sale, with the provenance including purchase details (where known) provided alongside the descriptions.

Page Turning Catalogue

Auction Details

Thursday 12 September, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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