Bonhams will sell a highly unusual and - some might argue - controversial biscuit tin at its County Sale on Monday 25th April in Bath.

While at first glance, the Huntley & Palmer biscuit tin included in Bonhams’ sale appears to portray nothing more than a peaceful summer’s day in a traditional English garden, keen eyes may spot a couple of irregularities that are more than likely to shock.

These days, dissatisfied employees are increasingly prepared to take former employers to court to sort out disputes. However, one particular employee of Huntley & Palmer during the 1970s decided on an alternative and more inventive course of action.

Patrick Toynbee of Bonhams says: “Huntley & Palmer is well known for their decorative biscuit tins which adorned British tea tables for almost a century. However, there is also a well known story passed on amongst collectors that when one of their employees received notice of being fired, he decided to decorate some of the tins in a manner which would make his displeasure with his employers very clear, not just to them but also to their customers.

“If you look very closely you will notice a pair of naked lovers cavorting in a flower bed on the far left while two dogs are romping in the flower bed to the right of the tin. There are also reports of an obscene jam jar label as well but none of these are clearly visible.

Obviously, the company wasn't even aware of them and the first they heard of it was when a grocer apparently took an extremely good look at the picture and alerted them. Since then the tins have become widely known as the ‘Disgruntled Employee Biscuit Tin’, a very apt name for them indeed.”

Biscuit tins are increasingly appealing to collectors and the ones produced by Huntley and Palmer are especially sought after for their clever designs and ingenious shapes.

Bonhams expects to sell the ‘Disgruntled Employee Biscuit Tin’ for £100-150 to the highest bidder on Monday 25th April. For those wishing to sneak a peek at the highly decorative and notorious tin, viewing for the auction will start on Friday 22nd April from 8.30am to 5pm, continuing on Saturday 23rd from 9am to 12noon and on Monday 25th from 8.30am at Bonhams’ saleroom in Old King Street, Bath

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.