H R Lines Collection Heading Under the Hammer at Vectis

Vectis will be presenting the H R Lines Collection on Wednesday April 17th, 2013, at Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees. The auction includes rare and early catalogues and literature dating from 1913, including a complete run of Hornby/Tri-ang catalogues (1953-2013) and more than 100 lots will be offered.

In the 1870s two brothers, George and Joseph Lines formed a business selling rocking horses and a range of other wooden and metal toys. G J Lines was a highly successful business and subsequently Joseph’s sons, William, Walter and Arthur became the next generation of the company and in 1919 it became known as Lines Brothers Ltd. The three brothers, or three Lines, formed the brand Tri-ang.

This collection is the personal archive of Richard Lines, (H R Lines). It includes catalogues he collected while working for the company and additional earlier examples which were discovered in his father, Arthur Lines’ personal effects. The complete set of Tri-ang/Hornby catalogues date from 1953 – 2013. The earlier editions - until 1980, are contained in hard back binders which were commissioned by H R Lines from the printers, specifically for his copy of the catalogues, this is a unique collection which have all been signed by him. 

This interesting set is an invaluable reference for collectors, many know of the toys the company produced and are able to identify the range of toys, but it is unlikely that this complete reference library depicting the development and transition of each line and variation of toy has ever been available before.  It’s also fascinating to see how the catalogues changed in style and content over the years, from the early verbose issues to the punchier, eye-catching customer orientated versions.

Items include Christmas Catalogue editions for companies such as Hamleys, extensive 1960s TV advertising campaigns for the Daily Mail and Daily Express, trade catalogues which were given to dealers to show the current ranges and the introductory catalogue from 1953. This item is particularly interesting because after taking over Rovex the company needed to produce a catalogue very quickly to distribute at an upcoming Trade fair, this issue is the result, despite very limited production at the time it gave the intended impression of an active company. 

There are also compliments slips with a number of the catalogues from Simon Kohler, Marketing Manager for Hornby Hobbies, wishing H R Lines a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year or simply noting this was the next catalogue. This unique collection is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire. For further information any of the items in this collection please call +44 (0)1642 750616 and ask to speak to Kathy Taylor and Kegan Harrison or email.