A legendary sale?

Excalibur Auctions’ toy sales continue to produce impressive results. The highlights of its 7 July sale included two private owner collections of diecast, tinplate toys, and vintage O gauge model railways – both of which were in immaculate condition.

Representing European outline O gauge railways, a 3-rail streamlined railcar set from Karl Bub (Lot 80) achieved £120, whilst a Kraus Fandor tinplate streamlined steam loco train set, originally for the French market, achieved £130.

Two boxed Tri-ang Minic pre-War buses flew the flag for tinplate toys, with the single deck Greenline variant (Lot 58) selling for £80, and the double deck London Transport version (Lot 59) selling for £170.

Highlights from the diecast section included a very unusual Taylor & Barrett Coster Series Greengrocer Cart set. The lot, which was near complete and boxed, achieved £140. A Dinky Toys 514 Slumberland Van (Lot 53) achieved a stellar £280.

However, the real highlights of the day were the pristine Hornby O gauge clockwork items which were fought over by internet bidders and two determined bidders, one in the room and one on the phone.

A private owner Jacob’s Biscuit van (Lot 70) finished at £180, closely followed by an immaculate No.1 Special 0-4-0 tank locomotive in LMS maroon in a complete original box (Lot 71) which achieved £170.

A mint boxed No.2E Signal Cabin (Lot 75) had the hammer fall at £100, but they were all surpassed by the excellent boxed example of the No.1 Engine Shed (Lot 78) which, after intense bidding, made a spectacular £350.

Excalibur Auctions’ next sale is 15 September and consignments are also now being accepted for its November sale.