Impressive prices reached as Vectis saleroom is open to the public again

Although the weather outside was miserable, the atmosphere inside Vectis Auctions was bright and optimistic... the first day the auction room has been open to the public for 14 months, and what a sale to open with!

The Graham Hamilton Ultimate Matchbox Picture Box collection has drawn interest from across the world, with some even travelling for their chance to bid in the auction room and feel the excitement first hand. The room was abuzz with chatter before the sale, with many of the attendees meeting up for the first time since lockdown, a few pictures were snapped and stories swapped.

But they were all here for one thing, the finest Matchbox collection to be auctioned in recent years - the Ultimate Picture Box collection. Graham and his wife were also in the auction room, watching as his collection was sold to eager collectors.

There was interest across both the internet terminals, telephone bidders from across the world, and of course many commission bids left before the sale even started.

The sale started well with lot 4003, the third lot in the sale, achieving £2,640, to one of those commission bidders. The sale progressed with many lots achieving four figure sums. However, the first lot to achieve five figures, was Lot 4218, the Matchbox Regular Wheels 13d Dodge Wreck Truck in reverse colours is an interesting and sought-after Lot on its own, however this model came with a fantastic provenance, including a letter and photograph of Ed Fosdick who was Chief Engineer of Design and Safety for Chrysler, which ensured it sold for a fantastic £12,000, and a round of applause!

Another lot with interesting provenance was Lot 4258, the colour trial Matchbox Regular Wheels 15d Volkswagen Beetle Rally Cars’ was previously sold as part of the Peter Smith Collection (prototype model maker for Lesney) at Stacey's on 22nd July 2015, this undoubtedly helped it to achieve a fantastic £6,000.

A very rare Matchbox Superfast 10f Plymouth Gran Fury Police Car (Lot 4176) with 5-arch wheels which match the box artwork, achieved £3,600, against an estimate of £200 - £260.

Lot 4251 a Matchbox Regular Wheels 15c Dennis Refuse Truck Pre-production provided a rare opportunity to buy a relatively early colour trial model, with not only a casting difference to the container hatch but also fitted with smaller diameter 20-tread black plastic wheels, interest in this model meant the £400 - £500 estimate was destroyed at £3,120.

An unusual transitional model with factory spun front base rivet but un-spun rear rivet, Lot 4362, a Matchbox Superfast 22c Pontiac GP Coupe, doubled its lower estimate of £2000 - £3000 to achieve £5,280.