World record prices paid for plastic figures at auction at Vectis in June

For the fourth consecutive sale, Vectis achieved a string of world record prices for plastic figures at its auction on Tuesday 28th June with its Military, Civilian Figures, Equipment and Asscessories Sale, which included the second part of the Nils Fischer Britains Collection. The sale grossed just under £175,000 with 95% of the 960 lots offered being sold.

The latest to join its enviable list of record prices included Britain's Swoppet Knight on Foot with an original card plinth and label, which sold for £700 (all prices include buyer's premium); Britain's mounted Swoppet Knight on rare white galloping horse at £1,000; and Britain's mounted Swoppet Knight on the rare white galloping horse with yellow caparison, which made an amazing £2,600!

Among the un-released, prototype and unique pieces, mostly from the late Charles Biggs Collection, several pieces not surprisingly achieved conistently high prices. These included an extremely rare, un-released Herald Ballet Set in Yellow at £880; two prototype Deetail WW2 German Vignettes made £220 and £200 apiece; the Deetail WW2 Desert Battle toy fair diorama constructed by Biggs went at £750; and a metal test master for the plastic garden set dog made £140.

In fact, there were rarities to be found throughout this sale, which kept both bidding interest and prices realised high. For example, a Hugar Field Hospital from 1940 made £2,200; two boxed Monoplanes in British/US markings from the 1930s sold for £7,000 and £6,100 respectively, while a Bi-Plane in standard finish achieved £2,600.

Items from the W Britain 1880 Catalogue, many with their original boxes sold well with The Drinking Chinaman reaching £2,900; The Waltzers at £1,900; and The Equestrienne at £680.

In the Civilian and Other Makers sections highlights included: a Manor House (for US Store FAO Schartz) with Britain's Hunt figures making £2,100; a Britain's Set 168 Pedestrians at £940; a rare Timpo boxed set King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table from 1954 made £3,000; while a set of Napoleon and his General Staff (mounted) by Lucotte went at £2,900.

Elsewhere in the sale a Britain's set 72 Life Guards 1837 - 1897 (from 1897) made £6,100; a boxed set of Paris Office Zouaves went at £1,200; while a Grebruder Bing Torpedo Boat from around 1914 made £100.

There's even more to come in the Autumn (date to be confirmed) when Part 3 of the Fischer Collection will provide the centre-piece for a further selection of rarities.

PICTURED TOP RIGHT: An extremely rare Timpo boxed set King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, from 1954, made £3,000.
PICTURED TOP LEFT: This Britain's mounted Swoppet Knight on the rare white galloping horse with yellow caparison sold for £2,600 (including buyer's premium).

This auction story was first published online on the Collectors Gazette website on 22nd August 2011. To see which issues of Collectors Gazette are available to buy online, click here.