Modern Marklin: is it time to start investing?

The Vectis Tinplate & General Toy Sale held on 12 September  started with 170 lots of tinplate and plastic models from Marklin, Tri-ang, Sutcliffe, Mettoy, Schuco and others besides, with large scale clockwork racing and sports cars and trucks, along with a good selection of boats. Other items included pre-war items, novelty toys, radio-controlled vehicles, catalogues, leaflets, books and games. The sale continued with over 300 lots of general toys.

Where to start? Interest in Marklin never seems to abate and the Marklin No.19801 tinplate clockwork model of the Junkers JU52/3M aircraft, with Swiss markings to the wings and tail, was notable. Although of recent limited production (issued in 1999), it came with certificate and booklet and was fitted with controls for operating the ailerons and tailplane. The clockwork motor was in working order (driving three propellers), and the model came with a key. A split to one rubber tyre was noted, otherwise the aircraft was near mint. Boxed, of course, its estimate of £120-150 was too modest, the model realising £288.

Another recent Marklin model was No.16150, a large and impressive tinplate clockwork passenger steam ship, the Viktoria. Featuring a black hull, white superstructure and yellow fittings, the ship was equipped with removable flags, and accommodated a substantial clockwork motor and key (interestingly, a steam engine was an optional accessory at the time of issue). Boasting twin propellers, rudder and rigging detail, as well as lifeboats, the model was around a metre long, and came with a metal stand and box with inner packaging. Unusually, this model also included an unassembled glazed wooden framed display cabinet. A stunning model, its estimate of £500-700 was just passed, the ship casting off at £744.

Elsewhere, an interesting lot was the Lincoln (Hong Kong) plastic friction drive Rolls Royce Silver Cloud in 1/43 scale. Finished in pale greyish blue with bright plated fittings, it exhibited some slight age discolouration to the front wings. Otherwise, here was a good example with red interior and motor in working order and an illustrated box. Its upper estimate of £40 was quickly left standing, the vehicle purring off to make £264.

A Marten, Howes and Baylis dinghy named Henry was a 1/6 scale model of a typical clinker built, steam-powered working dinghy, used for small vessel harbour towage or for pleasure. Comprising a fibreglass moulded hull with varnished wooden planking to deck and interior, the latter was equipped with a wooden clad boiler, pressure gauge, various valves, hand wheels and associated piping, which drove the single rear propeller. The workings were untested but the model was deemed good for display and a worthwhile project for a competent boat builder. At 36"/91cm long and with a wooden stand, it realised £504.

There were other steam powered lots in the sale but tinplate, as ever, stood out. An Ichiko (Japan) large tinplate friction drive Oldsmobile StarFire 4-door sedan in red with a cream roof and with the drive in working order, exhibited some light play wear and marks to the roof, but overall was good. At 28cm/11"long, this impressive vehicle drove off to make £360.

An unusual (and pretty rare) boxed Wells Brimtoy 1950s spaceship with siren motor in bronze and red, with a see-through rear sparking compartment and working gyro motor, attracted the sci-fi fraternity, who bid it to £228.

Finally, a jolly lot in the shape of a Marx Toys (USA) Merry Makers set from 1925 featured tinplate clockwork novelty mice toy playing instruments. A true rarity in this kind of condition, the lot’s estimate of £300-400 was quickly passed, the rodent group hitting some high notes: £600, in fact.