Ferguson Salesman's Demonstration Model sells for £6,100 at Cheffins' (July 2011)

One of the most collectable scale items for agricultural tractor enthusiasts is the Ferguson Salesmans’ Demonstration Model, and the appearance of one that had been tucked away in a loft for several decades was going to prove irresistible!

All the original decals to the box and runway were present with the grey ‘Fergie’ tractor and ploughs unspoilt. As a result, the lot sold for £6,100 at Cheffins’ Cambridge Vintage Sale on 23rd July (photo online).

There were also some splendid scratch-built scale models in this sale, such as a 1½in scale Burrell agricultural engine, which sold for £2,500. A Ransomes thrashing drum, in the same scale, sold for £1,850. A 3in scale Burrell 6 nhp single cylinder agricultural traction engine sold for £3,900.

Among the railway items on offer was a 7¼in gauge Hunslet locomotive, ‘Victoria’, which had originally operated at the Pleasurewood Hills theme park near Lowestoft, Suffolk. It sold for £3,000, while a 5in gauge Simplex 0-6-0T made £2,100.

However, these marvellous models could not compete pricewise with the real thing, in particular with the 1907 Burrells Showmans road locomotive ‘Her Majesty’, which reached £550,000!

There was a stong selection of enamel signs including Taylors Depository of Pimlico, which sold at £720, and a Fry’s Pure Breakfast Cocoa at £600. As ever, with mixed sales like this, there were bargains to be found among the literature, ephemera, railwayana  and model lots for those prepared to study the catalogue carefully in advance.

The next Cambridge Vintage Sale will be held on Saturday 15th October.

PICTURED: This Ferguson Salesmans Demonstration Model sold for £6,100 at Cheffins' Cambridge Vintage Sale on Saturday 23rd July.

This auction story was first published in the October issue of Collectors Gazette. To see which issues of Collectors Gazette are available to buy online, click here.