Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Collectors Gazette

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…

Hubris. What a brilliant word that is. I’m still not completely sure what does and does not constitute ‘hubris’, but I think there’s been quite a lot of it about over the last year. Especially in the political arena. Hubris is not particularly associated with train collecting however. Or maybe it is? A subject of perennial interest to collectors is the demise of Meccano Limited. Even though it happened nearly 60 years ago, we still feel the need to drag the topic out and examine it again, chewing over the same old cliches while poking the log on the fire and sipping brandy, just in case we missed something last time round. It’s one of life’s biggest ‘what ifs’, along with ‘what if John Lennon hadn’t moved to New York’…

Item: Palitoy Star Wars Return of the Jedi Boba Fett figure Condition: AFA Graded 90, in secure presentation case Sold for: £3655 (32 bids) Item: Hasbro Kid 123 WWF Wrestling Figure Condition: good with no sign of damage or age-wear Sold for: £1270 (26 bids) Item: LEGO Castle No.375 Condition: excellent and complete in original box and packaging, never been built Sold for: £2550 (19 bids) Item: James Bond Thunderball Bagatelle Condition: mint on sealed card, very good packaging, unlicenced piece Sold for: £670 (18 bids) Item: My Little Pony Nirvana French Cotton Candy Condition: A little wear on body and some noticeable factory glue around neck Sold for: £1220 (62 bids) Item: Kenner Mummies Alive Nefertina Presley action figure Condition: mint on original card, no visible damage to bubble…

This month we say ‘“hello” to the Model Bus Federation (MBF). Established in 1968 it was the first club formed to represent the interests of bus modellers in the UK, and over the last 50 years it has become the world’s leading society for bus modelling. The MBF was started by two people – Martin Popplewell and Bob Heathcote – now the Reverend Bob Heathcote. Both are still active members of the club with Bob being Chairman, Membership Secretary and now MBF Shop Manager. Their aim back in 1968 was to extend their hobby by communicating with other modellers, sharing tips and ideas to help each other improve their modelling. They had no idea then that this would gradually develop into a world-wide association. Plus, the growth of the MBF…

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…

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…

Receive these highly collectable gifts for free, when taking out a subscription to Collectors Gazette* To subscribe call 01778 392006 and quote GAZ/LRGIFT23 or visit www.ccofgb.uk/gaz-lrgift23 *This is an introductory offer only. Gifts are included with annual Direct Debit subscriptions at £44.99, and annual Credit Card subscriptions at £49.99. This offer is subject to availability and whilst stocks last.…

I am a huge fan of all the Constructor Series that were produced by Frank Hornby’s Binns Road factory and its overseas factory in Bobigny near Paris during the 1930s. Being an avid aviation enthusiast as well, I was particularly keen to follow up my previous articles with a similar review of the Aeroplane Constructor outfits and so I am delighted to offer a two part series of these wonderful construction toys (Ed - read part two next month!). During the 1920s Meccano Ltd had enjoyed huge success with its all-metal construction kits that brought miniature engineering and design creativity to literally millions of boys (and girls) around the world. But like all good businesses, Frank Hornby and his management team were constantly aware of the need to innovate and…

My introduction to Tri-ang Minic toys came courtesy of a very generous uncle who passed down his cherished toy box to me as a child, sometime in the early 1960s when he became more interested in motorcycles and pop music. I remember finding these little clockwork models he’d had as a child in the 1940s quite fascinating but also somewhat old fashioned with their long bonnets and running boards. By the 1960s cars and lorries were changing in style and so were toys. Diecast and plastic vehicles were attracting the attention of children the most so to be suddenly introduced to these little tinplate wonders was a bit strange. They did, however, have plenty of play value and I particularly liked the breakdown truck with its rear jib which looked…

Hi folks! I’m finding that one of the nicest things about getting old and becoming a pensioner is being able to approach buying and selling in a much more casual way, almost like turning things upside down. These days I’m not under pressure to instantly sell all the nice things I buy in order to pay all the bills. Now if I buy something I really like I can afford to keep it without feeling guilty. The problem is of course, that this could quite easily result in me hanging on to everything! Like most collector/dealers we all remember so many lovely things that we would have loved to have kept if only finances would have allowed. Now I am able to keep more goodies my collection is slowly becoming…

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…

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…

This particular year, in the US, one Bill Clinton was voted in at the White House. Fast Food was gaining ground, as McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in China, something that many believed would be impossible. The Endeavour, or Space Shuttle STS-49 as it was more formally known, was launched and this same year saw three astronauts walk in space at the same time, an historical first. Here in the UK, the price of ‘four star’ petrol was around £2.13 a gallon at the pumps (weep!), while an average house price was calculated to be around £68,500. That centre of satire, Punch Magazine, published its final issue after 151 years in the business and in April, John Major became Prime Minister, after the Conservative Party accrued the most votes in…

The humble LEGO brick is arguably one of the most recognisable toys in existence. Since its creation 65 years ago, it’s gone on to become a global icon that dominates the toy industry. In that time it’s spawned countless sets, theme parks, movies, videogames, clothing and soft toys. What’s more, over the past few years, it’s becoming a collectable icon too, with some sets rapidly increasing in price shortly after release. So, to celebrate the birth of the brick, let’s look back at its creation and find out why it’s still hip to be square. Firstly though, it’s worth noting that although the first commercial LEGO brick itself dates back to 1958, the company’s origins go much further back. Long before plastic was even an option for toy creation, Ole…

With the Avengers universe setting cinema screens alight over the last few years, with its numerous explosions and over-the-top action sequences, what better time to look at some of the toys inspired by its stars? Whether you’re a fan of Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor or Captain American, then the chances are there’s a vintage toy out there for you. One of the best places to start is with the World’s Greatest Superheroes range from Mego Corporation, as it produced a super selection of action figures (debate rages as to whether they were more like dolls) based on characters from the pages of DC and Marvel comics. Mego was created by D. David Abrams in 1954 and its original goal was to produce low cost toys for department stores across…

At present the viewing public seems fascinated by TV shows featuring restoration. Whether it’s houses, classic cars, upcycling, antiques or sentimental keepsakes being restored, they just can’t get enough of them. The restorers too seem to have been bestowed with sage like status, their skills veiled in mystery and awe (let me know when I’ve gone too far…). They also make it look effortless, cool and even sexy as their work brings unwavering praise and occasionally a tear to the eye. If you are sensing a hint of sarcasm in my tone, you may well be right. Just as Mike Brewer on TVs Wheeler Dealers never factors in the man hours into their project costs, there’s something amiss here. As a long-time restorer of a few things, I know the…