A Bill of Sale, bought on eBay by a couple from Penryn, is real proof that Falmouth's Old Curiosity Shop traded in the weird and wonderful.

The Bill of sale, dating from 1897, bought from John Burton importer of foreign merchandise from every region under the sun, lists the sale of several items including a Hippo skull, a Walruses tusk, and a necklace, all to be sent to Nottingham.

Jenny Wittamore, Acting Curator said: "This demonstrates that John Burtons shop was a real Aladdin's cave reflecting the amazing diversity of people passing through Falmouth at the time, from all over the world."

When Simon and Philippa Holden bought the Bill of sale a few years ago they had no idea what they were buying. They purchased the bill as they were interested in the picture of Penryn at the top, having little idea what the actual receipt was all about until the Museum's new exhibition opened.

Simon Holden said: "I bought the Bill on eBay around four years ago as a present for my wife who collects Penryn-related ephemera; the illustration at the head of the bill is very similar to an old print that we already owned. It shows a view from above Penryn looking down on the town clearly showing the town hall, the river leading down to Flushing and out into Falmouth Harbour.

"When we received the Bill, we were vaguely aware of Burton's Shop from photographs in local history books. We wondered at the exotic items listed, handwritten in pencil, then like a great many things we buy on eBay, carefully put it away in a drawer! When we saw in the local press that the Maritime Museum had a display re-creating the shop window, we dug it out and bought it down for the Curator to see. We were very nicely persuaded to loan it to the museum, who have carried out some conservation work on it and we are now delighted to see it on display."

The Bill of sale is framed and on display in the Falmouth Gallery alongside the Old Curiosity Shop display.

A renowned local character, Burton's reputation spread far and wide. He claimed he could sell 'anything from a monkey to a pulpit' and this Bill of sale certainly seems to prove just that.