Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2022 i Collectors Gazette

Hake’s first-ever Special Event Auction, one that featured memorabilia from the legendary Star Wars franchise, closed its books on US$903,000, illustrating yet again the pull of the genre. It wasn’t all about the well-known rarities, though. Ironically, something that really drew the punters was a Hungarian bootleg Return of the Jedi Boba Fett figure, which more than doubled its preauction estimate to command US$20,768, a world auction record for that variety of Boba. Part of a series of ten unlicensed Hungarian figures released in 1987, its smaller size, lack of copyright information and the fact that it was made of lower quality injection-moulded plastic, singled it out. Predictable, the Boba Fett L-slot rocket-firing prototype soared to a record-setting sale price: US$236,000. This prototype is famous in collecting circles because it…

NOREV 1952 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM IV Price: £44.99 Scale: 1/43 Release: out now The very limited Phantom IV in regal guise, dressed in Royal Claret over black. The shape is perfectly crafted and both the paint and trim are spot on. » www.ayrey.co.uk CORGI FORD CORTINA MK2 LOTUS - ANCHOR BLUE Price: £35.99 Scale: 1/43 Release: out now A very subtle interpretation of the Lotus Cortina, with the only clues being discreet badging and the shape of the side stripe. Gorgeous. Limited edition of 1,100. » www.corgi.co.uk More new releases reviewed at ccofgb.co.uk WIKING CLAAS ARION 930 ‘LEONHARD WEISS’ TRACTOR Price: £99.95 Scale: 1/32 Release: out now It is yellow body panels, extra road warning signage and Leonhard Weiss decals for Wiking’s special edition Arion 930 tractor. » www.wiking.de CORGI FOKKER…

The next reproduction from the Corgi Model Club (that should be about to begin to arrive with early subscribers by the time that you read this) is No.231 Triumph Herald Coupé. Featuring a superbly recreated box that’s as close to the original as modern practices allow, this latest faithful 1/44 scale recreation was originally released in November 1961 and was in production until 1965. WIth its fully-opening bonnet, this feature was very new at the time. Even if you’re not a subscriber, you can buy any of the releases so far (subject to stock) as a standalone purchase. This model will be available to buy on its own for £29.99, plus postage. But, as a subscriber, this would cost a whopping ten pounds less. To find out more, visit the…

For reasons unknown to me, the military toy side of our all-embracing hobby seems to be something of an ugly sister. For every collector of khaki-clad vehicles there are probably ten times that number amassing model buses and vans and cars. Maybe it’s because colours are a bit more limited (“Would you be wanting that in green, sir?) or maybe because the subject matter doesn’t endear itself to all and sundry – whatever, it’s a smaller marketplace. But that doesn’t mean to say that the sector is lacking in interest, as these articles will hopefully point out. Each issue I’m going to showcase a limited number of manufacturers, for I cannot hope to cover the entire military output in the space of three issues. So there will be an element…

One of the most outstanding adventure films of the 1990s, and possibly all-time, has to be Jurassic Park. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park was one of the first films to make extensive use of CGI. The concept behind Jurassic Park was that scientists from bio-engineering company InGen had discovered dinosaur DNA in mosquitoes that had been found trapped in prehistoric amber. That DNA was then used to clone various types of dinosaurs and these were raised on a Caribbean island to be exhibits at a safari park type of attraction. Unfortunately, due to a combination of a freak storm and industrial espionage by a rogue employee, the electric fences are turned off and the dinosaurs are able to run amok on…

Hi folks! Collecting is a funny old world you know. Often, it’s not those big, bold, in your face finds that excite a collector, even the smallest of things can bring that warm glow of satisfaction when you find that little gem. A most satisfying little find this month was a very small enamel pin badge I discovered amongst a large collection of badges at an antique centre. They were all fairly bland and uninteresting except one that immediately caught my eye. It had a pair of open wings each side of a black circle lettered ‘Hepolite for Speed’ and a cylindrical object in the middle. Now I had never heard of Hepolite Motor Oil before so what else motoring related could it be? The raised lettering on the back…

Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s last auction was held under the moniker of Collectables but it included a fair number of toys amongst the lots. Of note was a large tinplate Tri-ang Push and Go heavy duty crash truck in cream and red livery with an attached electric searchlight. The model had huge presence and although the light was untested, the bonus of a box propelled it to £50. A collection of Waterline model naval ships was an unusual lot: most were painted metal and by Wiking, Germany, the largest being 21cm long. Accompanying the fleet was a group of Erzgebirge style painted wooden harbour sections. The ensemble realised £110. For railway buffs, the star lot was a 3 1/2inch gauge live steam LBSC “Mona” 0-6-2 tank locomotive. Boasting green livery and…

A year ago, in a feature on collectable toy train books, I was extolling the virtues of the Railway Room at Winchester Discovery Centre, aka the library. Having found an archive of eleven thousand train books I was keen to get stuck into it for your edification. As soon as the pandemic restrictions were lifted I hot footed it down to Winchester. Imagine my dismay when I found the library was partly closed for refurbishment. On enquiring about the railway room I was told it was moving to Eastleigh Library. Now, Eastleigh was of course a major railway town, its existence being largely because of the London and South Western Railway (LSWR). They opened a carriage and wagon works there in 1891 and extended it to a full motive power…

It all started way back. The accepted date is 1762, and in October that year the Jockey Club made a decision to adopt certain colours for their members. Mind you, we’re not talking about any Tom, Dick or Harry here: although there were three Commoners within the hallowed portals of this establishment, for the most part it was the realms of the Viscount, Lord, Baronet, Duke, Marquis and Earl who made up its composition. They had plenty of disposable income, you see, and this was required if you were going to devote your spare time to the turf. The individual colours would, it was felt, better identify and distinguish the jockeys as they pounded along the track. This was all the more important on dank, muddy days, when the chap…

Shock, horror! It appears that the common consensus is that the bottom has indeed dropped out of the market. Before you reach for the Rennies, or anything stronger for that matter, lets have a closer look into this bombshell of a statement. Various sources seem to think that there are changes afoot when it comes our ‘scene’. It would appear that those old diecast collectable standbys of the UK market now have quite differing fortunes. The Matchbox 1-75 market remains strong with even the once neglected King Size and Super Kings now garnering some long-awaited interest. These still offer great value for money but for how long? The Yesteryears, those once fashionable 80’s interior design props (no G-plan cabinet was complete without a few) are still very much in the…

C &T Auctioneers held a sale devoted to toy soldiers in June, which comprised 548 lots in all. The auction house’s Glen Chapman reported plenty of interest and amongst the highlights of the sale was a Britains for CF Eckhardt complete City Imperial Volunteers Escort set. This rare example was contested to £3,400. Another desirable Britains entry was set 94, the 21st Lancers, Heroes of Omdurman & Khartoum. In Foreign Service order, it was the extremely rare first version which resulted in something of a bidding frenzy, the lucky winner parting with £1,350 for the privilege of ownership.. The Britains set 78 was another gem: this was the Royal Navy Bluejackets group, with rifles at the trail, which was accompanied by a rare 1903 complete listing of Britains metal soldiers…

People collect all manner of things, don’t they? I’ve met a chap who liked milk bottles and someone who was into coat hangers (yes, really – a closet collector, perhaps?). Diecasts, stamps, coins, lead figures, banknotes… you name it. But there are also people who collect kits. The history of Airfix doesn’t need repeating here but suffice it to say that one Nicholas Kove, a Hungarian, spotted an opportunity for injection moulded household goods (especially combs), and established his company in 1939. A deal with tractor maker Ferguson a decade later saw an assembled model take shape, which was subsequently marketed as a kit. Airfix wasn’t the first to capitalise on this genre, though – that honour went to Frog, who retailed aircraft models under the Penguin banner. Tractors led…

When it comes to famous names in the world of toys there are few bigger or better than Britains, a brand synonymous with toy soldiers but also famed for its farm toys, civilian figures and much, much more. The Britains story begins way back in the first few decades of Queen Victoria’s long reign. It was around the early 1850s that a young, adventurous William Britain (1828-1906), a ‘Brass Finisher’ by trade, moved from the Midlands to London to ply his trade making brass taps, stop cocks and small brass fittings to supply the capital’s rapidly developing domestic plumbing industry. After spells living in Clerkenwell the Britain family moved to 3 Grove Cottages, Barnsbury Grove, Islington, and it is here where William Britain was first recorded as a ‘Toymaker’ both…

Marvel Incredible Hulk #6, 1963, graded 3.0 (G/VG) by CGC. Steve Ditko cover and interior art, flat/unfolded. Presented slabbed and sealed. Sold for £500, Excalibur Auctions, June. Marvel Incredible Hulk #6, 1963, UK price variant. Last issue of the original series, first appearances of the Teen Brigade and Metal Master. Steve Ditko cover and interior art, flat/unfolded. Sold for £420, Excalibur Auctions, June. Marvel Incredible Hulk #5, first appearances Tyrannus, Jack Kirby cover and interior art, flat/unfolded. Sold for £500, Excalibur Auctions, June. Marvel Incredible Hulk #4, 1962, Origin retold, Jack Kirby cover and interior art, flat/unfolded. Sold for £480, Excalibur Auctions, June. Marvel Incredible Hulk #3, 1962, third appearance of the Hulk, first appearance Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime. Jack Kirby cover and interior art, flat/unfolded. Sold for £900, Excalibur Auctions, June.…

Since the Trix Twin Railway Collectors’ Association (TTRCA) was founded in 1975 when 11 Trix enthusiasts met up in Peterborough, they now have around 630 members worldwide including America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scandinavia, Europe and of course around the UK. The club also has a website, a quarterly gazette and a new Facebook page. The aim of the TTRCA is to bring together model railway enthusiasts who are interested in collecting and operating Trix Twin, Trix Express, Trix OO and HO gauge electric model trains, manufactured between 1935 and 1973. They also organise the manufacture and sale of replica spare parts so members can repair and restore Trix trains to their former glory and keep their layouts running smoothly. Additionally, the abundance of knowledge and experience amongst members…