Armed and dangerous

Collecting tastes are rather different across the Pond in North America. Over there collectors have a real passion for large tinplate pieces and plenty of TV and film memorabilia. However, one thing that’s definitely the same is that quality Dinky pieces still attract a lot of attention and this was proved by the recent collectables sale at Lloyd Ralston Gallery.

One of the pieces in question was a Dinky Toys No. 156 Mechanised Army Set containing a No. 151a Medium Tank, 151b Transport Wagon (fatigued hubs, flat tyres), 151c Cooker Trailer (flat tyres), 151d Water Trailer, 152a Light Tank, 152c Austin Seven (body fatigue cracks), 152b Reconnaissance Car (fatigued hubs), 162a Light Dragon, 162b Limber, 162c 18 Pounder Gun, 161a Searchlight Lorry (body fatigue) and 161b AA Gun (fatigued).

Available between 1939 and 1941, this impressive set is valued at £1,800 to £2,500 in the latest Ramsay’s Guide and it’s unlikely many have survived in such great condition as the one at Lloyd Ralston. As such the $2,100 hammer price seems about right for such an absolutely cracking piece.

The other top Dinky lot was an FR24S Simca 8 Sport Trade Pack containing six light green models with metal hubs and red interiors. Complete with the original trade packaging and only suffering some minor wear, the hammer fell on $1,600.
They weren’t the only Dinky items to cause a stir though and lot 463 was a 22c Pick Up Truck in blue and red with chrome radiator surround and tin wheels. With some paint wear the truck rolled its way to $700. The blue cab and red truck body is considered to be the most rare variation of the model.