21 November 2011
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Swapmeet report: Model Tractor 2011 Autumn Show - 2nd October
Variety was the word of the day at Colin Boor’s Model Tractor 2011 Autumn Show, which was held on Sunday 2nd October at the Springfields Exhibition Centre. ...
Variety was the word of the day at Colin Boor’s Model Tractor 2011 Autumn Show, which was held on Sunday 2nd October at the Springfields Exhibition Centre.
Over 100 stallholders filled the two rooms of the exhibition centre and, as well as model replicas from well-known manufacturers like Britains and ERTL, items up for sale included paintings, display cases and books. Tractor-related weather vanes were also available to purchase as well as a fantastic range of ‘muddy tractors’, which were on the National Minitrac stand.
This unique range of tractors, mostly limited editions, depict your favourite tractors – the range includes Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Case IH, John Deere and Ford tractors – covered in mud, which is more authenticate, I think you’d agree!
On the One 32 Farm Toys & Models stand there was a range of new products from Siku, Britains and Bullyland. Bullyland is a German company that produces figurines. On the One 32 stand was a range of animals that would look ideal on a farm-related diorama. From goats to horses, there was plenty to choose from.
Moving on to one of the largest stalls present, Martyn’s Farm Models, which had a huge range of both new products and obsolete. Manned by Richard, Mandy and Martyn, the stall was constantly busy. In between customers Richard showed me a particular jewel on the stand: a 1/32 scale John Deere 7230R, which was the show model at the 2011 Farm Show - PICTURED RIGHT.
This beauty was in the rare gold livery, and is just one of 100 worldwide – this model had been imported from the United States. Richard explained that 2,500 pieces of the show model were produced and that it was potluck whether you had one of the gold versions. Martyn’s Farm Models was selling it for £400.
Other rare items on the stand included an Industrial Fordson Dexta by Crescent Toys in the rare yellow livery, a Minilux Belarus (Byalarus) 420 and a Massey Harris Harvest Brigade Combine (maker unknown). A highly sought-after model, the Massey Harris Combine is from the late 1940s-1950s. With a £200 price tag, the model was missing its original steering wheel – if the original steering wheel was present, that price tag would certainly have been a lot higher.
Moving on to Malcolm Pegram’s stand, there were a variety of obsolete models for sale. His selection included a group of Britains horses and carts. The models, which also included a Charbens one, were from the late 1950s-1960s - PICTURED LEFT.
Malcolm, who used to collect but sold his collection a few years ago, told me that if the horse is black then it is made of metal and would have been produced in the late 1950s. If the horse is white, it is made of plastic and would have first been available in the 1960s. While not with their original boxes, the models were still in very good condition.
As usual, there was also the opportunity to purchase the show model. For this event it was a McCormick TTX 230, in Hawk Hire livery, by Siku. In 1/32 scale, it was priced at £28. If you were unable to attend the event, you may be able to purchase the show model by emailing [email protected]
Accompanying the show was an auction which was held two days earlier on Friday 30th September. The debut auction by M&M Auctions, it was also held at the Springfields Exhibition Centre and featured a host of farm-related toys. Models that went under the hammer included tractors by Nova (France), Danbury Mint and Benbros.
A rare Crescent Toys Ferguson Tractor in red, produced as an exclusive item for Woolworths, made £200 against an estimate of £100-200 while a scarce Denzil Skinner 1/16 scale Vickers Vigor Crawler Tractor sold for £1,700 against an estimate of £1,000-2,000. An incredibly rare Dinky Toys Massey Harris Tractor pre-production sample, estimated at £300-600, fetched £600.
M&M Auctions is planning to host another sale in early December, provisionally Friday 9th or Saturday 10th.