Hundreds of items recovered from shipwrecks, including cannons, crockery, and other treasures are being put up for auction.
The artefacts, dating from the 16th Century to more recent wrecks, are part of the collection at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown, Cornwall.
Sir Tim Smit, known for founding the Eden Project, bought the museum 10 years ago, but has decided to sell both the collection and the building.
“It’s a good little business, but it doesn’t make enough surplus to turn it into the great museum it could be, so we put it up for sale because we know it will all go to very good homes,” he said.
“I used to be a wreck diver and this was the first place I visited in Cornwall,” said Sir Tim.
“When it came up for sale, I bought it on a whim.”
A single unnamed organisation has already purchased 500 of the most historically significant items.
There are still 700 lots to go under the hammer, and auctioneers expect a great deal of interest.
The auction starts on 5 November and the buildings will be sold at a later date.