23 December 2013
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Collecting highlights of 2013 - January to March
Read our round-up of some of the best collecting moments from 2013. ...
Collecting highlights of 2013 - January to March Images
2013 has been a fantastic year for collecting. Over the past 12 months we've seen some amazing new releases, plenty of impressive auction results and we've filmed at numerous auctions and toy fairs. So, just in case you've missed any of the excellent coverage on Collectors Club of Great Britain, over the festive period we're going to round-up some of the best content... it's a bit like an advent calendar but with interesting stories instead of rubbish chocolate. To read the content or watch the videos, either click on the 'read more' link or look for the blue links within the text. We're kicking things off with January - well, it seemed the most logical place to start!
Toy company bids to run West Coast Mainline
A toy company has had its bid to run the West Coast Main Line, using the wooden toy trains it produces, declined by the Department for Transport. In a rather humorous response by the DFT - showing they're not all miserable pencil pushers - private secretary Mark Reach explains that although he enjoyed receiving a model train and short section of track, the offer had to be declined due to stock not meeting "modern crashworthiness standards", among other reasons. READ MORE...
Aston Martin celebrates 100 years
As Aston Martin celebrated its centenary, we looked at some of the best Aston Martin vehicles produced by Dinky Toys, including some particularly nippy racing cars. The iconic brand is perhaps most widely associated with James Bond, who drove a DB5 packed with gadgets, such as tyre slashers and an ejector seat. In the pages of Collectors Gazette and online, we've often mentioned the super spy's super car and you can read about the some of best DB5 collectables here. READ MORE...
UK snow: the collecting survival guide
As the UK was gripped by subzero temperatures we decided to cheer you up in the best way possible: by looking at some classic snow-themed collectables! It’s the perfect collecting survival guide for the winter weather. Wrap up warm, grab yourself a lovely cup of hot chocolate and take a look through some of our favourite snowy collectables. READ MORE...
London Toy Fair 2013 video report
The London Toy Fair is the biggest toy event in the UK and gives manufacturers from around the globe the opportunity to showcase their latest items. This year there were more than 230 exhibitors, including recognisable names such as Corgi, Oxford Diecast, Meccano, plus thousands of toys on display. Of course, the only problem for collectors is that the Toy Fair is a trade-only event that's normally shrouded in mystery! Well, fret not because we snuck in our video camera (disguised as a giant LEGO brick) to give you an exclusive behind the scenes look at the fantastic events. READ MORE...
London Toy Fair 2013 EXTRA video report
In this extra video you can see some of the extra items that also caught our eye during the London Toy Fair, including extra models from Oxford Diecast, a bizarre selection of Rabbids kits from Mecanno, more fantastic TV and film memorabilia from Amerang and lots more! Take a look and start planning what you'll be buying throughout this year! READ MORE...
Nuremberg International Toy Fair
For the first time ever we reported lived from the International Toy Fair in Germany and things kicked off right at the end of January, with exclusive video previews of upcoming releases from Hot Wheels Elite, autoART, Norev, Oxford Diecast, Minichamps, IXO Models, TrueScale Miniatures and Hornby International. We'll be doing the same thing next year, so make sure you're signed up to the e-newsletter to be the first to see all the new models for 2014!
Nuremberg International Toy Fair
But wait, there's more! Not content with all the coverage above, the start of February also saw more great International Toy Fair content, including exclusive videos from Sun Star Models, Spark, Conrad Models and Corgi.
Spring Fair International 2013
The fair season ended with the much smaller Spring Fair International at the Birmingham NEC. Although mainly a show for all manner of different products, there were a few collectables on offer, including Diamond Comic Distributors and an exclusive look at the Britains RMS Titanic Lifeboat No. 6 .
Latest Hot Wheels Elite releases
February saw a whole host of new products from Hot Wheels, so we grabbed our camera to film them! Included in the line-up was Ghostbusters ECTO 1A, 1/43 scale Knight Rider KITT, Back to the Future Time Machine and the very impressive 1/18 scale version of KITT.
Hasbro announces new Star Wars Black action figures
Not content with already releasing hundreds of Star Wars action figures each year, Hasbro announced a new highly detailed series of figures called the Black range. The replicas are almost twice the size of traditional 3.75-inch examples and come in at almost double the size, measuring a mighty six inches. The larger size means they'll have more articulation and lots more detail. READ MORE...
Corgi new releases July to December 2013
March is always a great time because it means we get our first look at the new releases from Corgi and 2013 was no different. We headed down to Margate armed with our video camera to give you an exclusive first look at the upcoming Aviation Archive, Hauliers of Renown, Richard Burns Collection, Vanguards and Original Omnibus Company models.
Palitoy Star Wars shop display sells at auction
Normally when you hear of Star Wars collectables selling for a mint at auction, it's the unusual carded action figures, such as the unfortunately named Yak Face or Jawa with plastic cape. However, Vectis has recently sold a superb Palitoy Star Wars Shop Display that was previously used at the Golden Gains Toyshop in Wardwick, Derby. Estimated at £400-600 this intriguing piece of history sold for £460. READ MORE...
Tribute to Corgi's Marcel Van Cleemput
The 86-year-old died on March 15th, following a short illness. Throughout his incredible 29-year career at Corgi he designed some of the company's most famous models and was considered to be the genius behind Corgi's technological superiority over its big rival, Dinky. READ MORE...
Corgi steals the show at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers
If you're a fan of Corgi, then you missed a potential treat during Reeman Dansie's Special Collectors' Sale on 11th and 12th March because there were plenty of superb vintage Corgi items up for grabs. Many doubled their pre-sale estimates, proving that even through the weather has been freezing cold, quality items are still red hot at auction. READ MORE...
Remember, to get the latest collecting news delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks, sign up for our e-newsletter.
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JANUARY
Toy company bids to run West Coast Mainline
A toy company has had its bid to run the West Coast Main Line, using the wooden toy trains it produces, declined by the Department for Transport. In a rather humorous response by the DFT - showing they're not all miserable pencil pushers - private secretary Mark Reach explains that although he enjoyed receiving a model train and short section of track, the offer had to be declined due to stock not meeting "modern crashworthiness standards", among other reasons. READ MORE...
Aston Martin celebrates 100 years
As Aston Martin celebrated its centenary, we looked at some of the best Aston Martin vehicles produced by Dinky Toys, including some particularly nippy racing cars. The iconic brand is perhaps most widely associated with James Bond, who drove a DB5 packed with gadgets, such as tyre slashers and an ejector seat. In the pages of Collectors Gazette and online, we've often mentioned the super spy's super car and you can read about the some of best DB5 collectables here. READ MORE...
UK snow: the collecting survival guide
As the UK was gripped by subzero temperatures we decided to cheer you up in the best way possible: by looking at some classic snow-themed collectables! It’s the perfect collecting survival guide for the winter weather. Wrap up warm, grab yourself a lovely cup of hot chocolate and take a look through some of our favourite snowy collectables. READ MORE...
London Toy Fair 2013 video report
The London Toy Fair is the biggest toy event in the UK and gives manufacturers from around the globe the opportunity to showcase their latest items. This year there were more than 230 exhibitors, including recognisable names such as Corgi, Oxford Diecast, Meccano, plus thousands of toys on display. Of course, the only problem for collectors is that the Toy Fair is a trade-only event that's normally shrouded in mystery! Well, fret not because we snuck in our video camera (disguised as a giant LEGO brick) to give you an exclusive behind the scenes look at the fantastic events. READ MORE...
London Toy Fair 2013 EXTRA video report
In this extra video you can see some of the extra items that also caught our eye during the London Toy Fair, including extra models from Oxford Diecast, a bizarre selection of Rabbids kits from Mecanno, more fantastic TV and film memorabilia from Amerang and lots more! Take a look and start planning what you'll be buying throughout this year! READ MORE...
Nuremberg International Toy Fair
For the first time ever we reported lived from the International Toy Fair in Germany and things kicked off right at the end of January, with exclusive video previews of upcoming releases from Hot Wheels Elite, autoART, Norev, Oxford Diecast, Minichamps, IXO Models, TrueScale Miniatures and Hornby International. We'll be doing the same thing next year, so make sure you're signed up to the e-newsletter to be the first to see all the new models for 2014!
FEBRUARY
Nuremberg International Toy Fair
But wait, there's more! Not content with all the coverage above, the start of February also saw more great International Toy Fair content, including exclusive videos from Sun Star Models, Spark, Conrad Models and Corgi.
Spring Fair International 2013
The fair season ended with the much smaller Spring Fair International at the Birmingham NEC. Although mainly a show for all manner of different products, there were a few collectables on offer, including Diamond Comic Distributors and an exclusive look at the Britains RMS Titanic Lifeboat No. 6 .
Latest Hot Wheels Elite releases
February saw a whole host of new products from Hot Wheels, so we grabbed our camera to film them! Included in the line-up was Ghostbusters ECTO 1A, 1/43 scale Knight Rider KITT, Back to the Future Time Machine and the very impressive 1/18 scale version of KITT.
Hasbro announces new Star Wars Black action figures
Not content with already releasing hundreds of Star Wars action figures each year, Hasbro announced a new highly detailed series of figures called the Black range. The replicas are almost twice the size of traditional 3.75-inch examples and come in at almost double the size, measuring a mighty six inches. The larger size means they'll have more articulation and lots more detail. READ MORE...
MARCH
Corgi new releases July to December 2013
March is always a great time because it means we get our first look at the new releases from Corgi and 2013 was no different. We headed down to Margate armed with our video camera to give you an exclusive first look at the upcoming Aviation Archive, Hauliers of Renown, Richard Burns Collection, Vanguards and Original Omnibus Company models.
Palitoy Star Wars shop display sells at auction
Normally when you hear of Star Wars collectables selling for a mint at auction, it's the unusual carded action figures, such as the unfortunately named Yak Face or Jawa with plastic cape. However, Vectis has recently sold a superb Palitoy Star Wars Shop Display that was previously used at the Golden Gains Toyshop in Wardwick, Derby. Estimated at £400-600 this intriguing piece of history sold for £460. READ MORE...
Tribute to Corgi's Marcel Van Cleemput
The 86-year-old died on March 15th, following a short illness. Throughout his incredible 29-year career at Corgi he designed some of the company's most famous models and was considered to be the genius behind Corgi's technological superiority over its big rival, Dinky. READ MORE...
Corgi steals the show at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers
If you're a fan of Corgi, then you missed a potential treat during Reeman Dansie's Special Collectors' Sale on 11th and 12th March because there were plenty of superb vintage Corgi items up for grabs. Many doubled their pre-sale estimates, proving that even through the weather has been freezing cold, quality items are still red hot at auction. READ MORE...
Remember, to get the latest collecting news delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks, sign up for our e-newsletter.
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