05 November 2018
|
A 1930s Bugatti Tourer by Eureka of France.
Collections come in all shapes and sizes, which means that auctions tend to come in all shapes and sizes too.
Collections come in all shapes and sizes, which means that auctions tend to come in all shapes and sizes too.
One such upcoming specialist toy sale at Brighton and Hove Auctions on 24 November is a prime example of this theory. Going under the hammer are over 350 lots including tinplate vehicles, clockwork toys, French Hornby locomotives and metal soldiers. All the lots featured in the sale have come via a museum in Kent which has closed, and the owner is now in the process of rehoming all of these prized and much-loved toys.
A huge draw to this seaside auction, and one that has produced the most interest, is a large selection of pedal cars. In fact, the collection is so big and varied that it is only rivalled by that owned by George W Bush (… yes, the George W Bush of American presidential fame).
The star lot has to be a large wooden bi-plane pedal car. This unique example was made by Lines Bros and was on display in Hamley’s of London. Based on a World War 1 bi-plane it features a radial piston engine, a wing-top machine engine and measures an impressive 170cm in length.
Also featured is a Bentley with a soft top convertible roof, made by Motorima in the 1960s. This particular pedal car was one of only 150 produced. A vintage Tri-ang Vanwall Grand Prix racing car in British racing green makes the line-up, as does a Bugatti Tourer by Eureka of France dating from the 1920s.
“A lot of the auction will go under the hammer without a reserve price against it,” auctioneer Andrew Potter told us “…but I like to think that, with all the interest that we’ve received, these cars will make thousands of pounds.”
A catalogue with full details can be found online at www.the-saleroom.com and sale results will be featured in Collectors Gazette next month!