15 August 2019
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Military and civilian figures march into Vectis
June saw the Military, Civilian Figures, Equipment & Accessories Vectis sale unfold.
A Britains uncatalogued Band (a Special Commission Set) certainly caught the audience’s attention. This was an early 1960s issue, depicting a Band of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in Parade Dress. A Drum Major with baton and 30 marching musicians playing various instruments comprised this lot. Originally commissioned by the Ministry of Defence for display in the Truro Army Recruiting Office, it was near mint overall. This unique set carried an estimate of £2,000-3,000 but realised £3,840. Another set, with a different band, again for display but this time ordered for the Canterbury Army Recruiting Office, was bid to £3,600.
How about a Coldstream Guards, (other ranks) bearskin, circa, 1950, comprising a black bearskin fur on traditional wicker frame with a red horsehair plume? This was set off by a black leather liner and a leather-backed graduated brass link chin chain. You’ve probably seen one outside Buckingham Palace but if you wanted one, you’d have required £360 on the day.
From Timpo’s Medieval Range, Set 15 was desirable for its mounted knights (a triple figure set, actually). Within was a rare red knight with yellow Fleur de Lys livery and a red helm. The set was put at mint overall, contained in a generally excellent, early 1960s issue open front “Tree” box. This set with the red knight was a true rarity, (the first example to be sold by Vectis), and was expected to make £200: it was bid to staggering £504. Cheap plastic soldiers are a thing of the past…