05 June 2018
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Take a good look, for you’re unlikely to ever see another! Argentinian Eton O gauge locomotive was the star of the auction.
Vectis had a rash of sales in April, with three back to back: one was general, one focussed on trains and the last was the John Gurney collection.
Vectis had a rash of sales in April, with three back to back: one was general, one focussed on trains and the last was the John Gurney collection.
An unusual lot was the Mattel Man in Space Major Matt Mason: a partially unboxed group, it included Galisto and the Major Matt Space Station plus other items. Despite the box’s absence, the original backing card was present. Fair to good plus described the contents but the estimate of £20- 40 was hammered, the lot selling for £312.
The star attraction was something that rarely comes to market: the Hornby O Gauge Argentine export E420 4-4-0 Loco and Tender FCO in black. The Eton came with No.900 applied, and was a 20v electric example. This example was gloss finished but exhibited some retouching along the running plate and the relining of the splashers, and had overpainting to the inside of the cab; it was also fitted with a smokebox bulb holder. The tender featured FCO to the tender sides. In overall excellent condition, it was contained in an excellent E420 Eton box with internal end packing pieces; the tender was similarly packaged. Estimated at £3,000-4,000, it finally settled on £4,560.
The Hornby O Gauge "Colas" Bitumen Tanker was small beer by comparison, but desirable nonetheless as it was a version with a red tank and black base. In excellent shape, this rolled away to realise £360. In a similar vein was the Hornby O Gauge SR pink Refrigerator Van. Boasting large SR lettering to the van sides, it too was excellent and was contained in an early box with an SR label to one end. A chilled audience soon grew warm, and the van finally sold for a creditable £1,200.
But it’s not just locos and rolling stock that sell these days: the Hornby O Gauge No.2E Signal Gantry was a case in point. A late home version with a green base and red finials, it was near mint in an excellent box. Its upper estimate was a strong £600 but enough people wanted it to chase it all the way to an amazing £2,520.
The last sale featured many interesting Brooklin miniatures. One notable example (or rather examples) was No.BRK53 1955, the Chevrolet Camino Pick-up set of eight trial colour issues. This was specially produced by Brooklin models as a one-off set and, as such, represented a unique opportunity for someone to acquire the lot. Colours included red, sea-green, yellow, navy blue, off white, cream, grey and light blue. Generally mint in excellent cream boxes and with with correct paperwork, the guideline of £300-400 was rapidly eclipsed, the set making a stunning £6,480.