Collectors Gazette

Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s pre-Christmas sale proved yet again that the market for old collectables remains as buoyant as ever. Surprise lot of the day had to be a 21 Toy Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons playsuit. Contained within a worn box with the lid exhibiting a split to one corner, the suit top’s lining was somewhat worn. However, the ensemble appeared to be complete; estimated to make £40-45, this fantasy outfit attracted much attention, and finally settled on £320. Not all sci-fi is worth a bomb, though: in stark contrast was the Merit Dan Dare Space Control Radio set, in a good box, which struggled to make £38. A most unusual item for the car enthusiast was the fully restored Austin Centurion pedal car in red with chrome details. It…

The December 2022 sale at C and T Auctioneers was given over to model soldiers: in all, nearly 700 lots went under the hammer. Not everything sold, though; this was no reflection on the quality of the lots but probably more to do with the recession and the (usually costly!) run-up to Christmas. Some rarities emerged: the lead Johillco souvenir figures of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 80mm size, dressed in coronation robes, and dating from 1937, in their original boxes made £440. Rarer still was George VI seated on his throne, again with box, from the same year: this example was bid to £720. Amongst the lead, a Britains specially painted Royal Field Artillery Officer standing with binoculars was bid to an impressive £340 but £100 more…

British Toy Auctions held another successful sale in December and the event included the inevitable Star Wars theme – can any auction be held without one or more carded figures appearing, one wonders? The Kenner The Power of the Force Han Solo (in a Carbonite Chamber), was dated 1984, and he was on a 92 card back, which was punched. The whole was contained within a Star Case and it made £360 plus premium. More traditional, though, was the Meccano No 2 Constructor Car, resplendent in red with blue mudguards and seat. The headlamps, windscreen and original driver were all still in place, although the tyres had become hard and cracked and exhibited some small glue repairs to keep them together. The original Meccano logo was still on the tail…

GREENLIGHT MORRIS MINI COOPER S 1964 MONTE CARLO RALLY #37 1964 Price: £9.99 Scale: 1/64 Release: out now Marvellous little model of one of the mighty giant-killing Minis from the 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo. Plenty of detail to be enjoyed, even at this scale. ›› www.ayrey.co.uk CONRAD MEILLER TRIGENIUS D316 TIPPER ON MERCEDES 3-AXLE CHASSIS Price: €130.00 Scale: 1/50 Release: out now The latest tipper body design, authentically captured by Conrad on this 3-axle tipper, exclusive for MEILLER as a limited edition based on a Mercedes-Benz Arocs chassis. ›› www.meiller-fanshop.com More new releases reviewed at ccofgb.co.uk SOLIDO JÄGERMEISTER PORSCHE 935 K3 #2 1980 DRM - AXEL PLANKENHORN Price: £65.99 Scale: 1/18 Release: out now Solido’s latest release of its gorgeous 935 K3, modelled in the iconic colour scheme of Jägermeister…

The annual three day Trains Galore sale at SAS Newbury did not fail to deliver, with a huge range of trains sold, ranging from N Gauge to 7 inch models, as well as railway collectables and live steam models. On the first day the Rivararossi Arnold N gauge sold well. There were some amazing prices realised for a collection of Bemo and HRF Bras HOm models, including a Junfraubahn Railcar that went for £1,000. A significant Triang TT collection also performed, in particular two T574 Continental brown mineral wagons which realised £950 and £900. Day Two started with an excellent section of 00 gauge kit built locomotives and stock, including a London Transport Underground section. A collection of Lawrence Scale Models all sold well and the first part of the…

Milestone’s Winter Toy Extravaganza closed its books with sales totalling US$750,000, proving once again that toy collecting is alive and well – at least in the US! Robots stole the show in the pre-Christmas event: the Japanese Masudaya example, from the Gang of Five series, was a 15 inch tall battery-operated Target Robot, which was presented in all-original condition, complete with its correct dart gun with dart. Complete with glossy, colourful lithography and a very clean battery box, it grazed its high estimate with a winning bid of US$14,400. Another desirable fellow was the Yonezawa tinplate wind-up Diamond Planet Robot. Standing 10 inches high, the Diamond Planet was the largest of all wind-up robots produced during the golden era of postwar Japanese toymaking. The 100% original robot with a blue…