05 November 2018
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The real deal: gorgeous Britains Royal Horse Guards looked stunning in a Roan box; You might have to double take with this one… The set was from Hocker, in the USA.
Vectis held its Military and Specialist sale on 11 October.
Vectis held its Military and Specialist sale on 11 October.
From WM Hocker, a California-based company that has been producing solid cast (as opposed to hollowcast) figures in the genre of Wm Britains, was a lot entitled Types of the British Empire Series. The company is arguably best known for its British Colonial and Victorian subjects although it has also fielded a number of US themed sets. The Vectis lot was referenced set 93, to wit a Regimental Ox Wagon, together with Set 13, a Regimental Maxim Gun Detachment. In a mint state, and contained in near mint Types of the British Empire boxes, their estimate of £90 -150 was a little modest, as the duo realised £264.
More familiar was the Britains Set 2, the Royal Horse Guards: this was a 1953 version. It comprised an officer on a prancing horse with drawn sabre and a quartet of troopers with sabres at the carry position. Near mint overall, and strung in a good Roan labelled box, they galloped off to reach £240.
A Crossway Models 1/43 scale white metal model of the famous gas turbine car JET 1 (the original car, modified from a Rover 75, is still on view in the Science Museum, as far as I know) was finished in metallic green and fitted with a dark red interior. The model came with a pair of separately applied aero windscreens and a certificate. Predictably near mint and in a card box with all inner packaging present, this lot surprised many, selling for a handsome £240.
Something different surfaced from Sports Models in the shape of a large scale model of a replica racing driver’s helmet. This was No.7081 Damon Hill, from the 1996 period, in his blue Elf Renault colours. Described as mint, and including a cellophane wrapper and illustrated card box with certificate, its guideline of £70 was quickly eclipsed, with the helmet selling for £204. Could it be time to look again at British F1 memorabilia?
Another unusual lot was the Dragon (1/6 scale) Action Figure of Buzz Aldrin, taken from the 1969 Apollo Moon Mission. You guessed it: he was clothed in a white spacesuit, with accessories including a helmet. Nearly mint, he came in a presentation box with certificate. Hard to price this one: Vectis reckoned on £80 but Buzz soared away to make £240.
Finally, old bats never die: a signed, limited edition 1/18 scale Batmobile made by Elite pulled in many punters, since it was complete with the signatures of Adam West (who starred as Batman) and Burt Ward (as Robin) back in the 1960s television series. A mint example in a window box, this alternative to Corgi was finally knocked down for £504. Holy auctions, Batman!