Japanese tinplate a highlight

If you didn’t make the Trains, Planes and Automobiles auction on 10 October (it was in Australia after all), then you missed out on some great tinplate. From Japan, as might be expected, was a Marusan friction drive Robot Boat, which probably stole the show. Whilst we are growing accustomed to the idea of autonomous cars, robot-driven speedboats might be a little harder to swallow. This was in great condition and came in a colourful box, with only some minor wear evident. Estimated at AUS$600-800, it made the lower expectation. The other notable tinplate was an unnamed example of a Highway Patrol car. At 380mm long, this was battery-driven and, aside from a couple of minor dents and a slightly bent rear bumper, it still looked the part. Estimated to make up to AUS$250, it fell slightly short at AUS$220. An unusual lot was the German US Occupied Zone tinplate Pez Clicker toy. A simple item, yet with plenty of history, this was in working order and exceed estimates to settle on AUS$80.

Aside from tinplate there was a Hornby O gauge clockwork LMS Royal Scot Passenger Set comprising a 4-4-2 Locomotive and tender No. 6100, with two coaches. Complete with track, track clips, instruction leaflet and parts list, this locomotive was working and exhibited a little corrosion, plus some scratches. The box was water stained but intact. Overall, a good example, it didn’t quite make the estimate of AUS$800–$1200, running out of steam at AUS$700.