A Stretchy attic find!

East Bristol Auctions’ first sale of 2018 has something for everyone. ‘It’s been a bumper season for toys,’ says auctioneer Andrew. ‘We’ve had several large private collections consigned.’ For the diecast enthusiast there is plenty to choose from. ‘We’ve had a gorgeous collection of early French Dinky consigned, direct from a collector in France,’ adds Andrew. The collection or largely mint models includes both loose and boxed versions. For the action figure collectors there is plenty to choose from – already consigned is a collection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles carded figures, a great collection of Real Ghostbusters and something of a ‘holy grail’ where the vintage toy market is concerned – an original Stretch Armstrong.

‘Stretch was a real-life attic find,’ adds Andrew ‘scrabbling around a client’s loft, I could just see the corner peeking out. All too often the boxes are empty, but I could feel this one had something inside. Low and behold, it was the man himself!’ The ‘version one’ stretchy action hero survives within his original box, and still has plenty of give in his old rubber limbs. ‘He’s in remarkable condition for his age,’ says Andrew ‘all too often the rubber goes hard and he starts to perish, but this one is as pliable as the day he was made!’ East Bristol are hoping that bidders ‘stretch’ to the £300-£500 estimate affixed to the toy.

East Bristol’s first sale of 2018 will be held on January 27th. Further entries are still invited.