Is this a new Viking invasion at Wallis & Wallis?

Wallis and Wallis’ March sale covered the spectrum of collectables, with everything from railway rolling stock and accessories through white metal miniatures, Britains figures and Lesney 1-75 models, as well as Tekno, Spot-on and old favourites Corgi and Dinky.

The title here is slightly misleading insofar as only seven lots of Danish Tekno made the auction – but then, when did you last see multiples of this Danish manufacturer? It was thus a feast for anyone enamoured of these miniatures. A Volvo Amazon in red with a white roof realised £150 but a pale blue VW Beetle, equally desirable, failed to find a new home. Of the rest, the PV544 Sport in beige was also unloved whereas a Saab 96 in light grey with a red interior did find someone happy to fork out £150. High reserves presumably put potential Tekno buyers off, which was a great pity.

Surprise lot of the day was arguably the Dinky Volkswagen (ref 181) that was finished in RAF blue with mid-blue wheels: its £70-90 estimate was way out, for it realised £400. The hammer subsequently fell on £360 for the Ford Consul Corsair by the same maker, this example finished in bright red and with a chauffeur driver. The real gem, though, was the rare Dinky Vauxhall Viva in light metallic blue but without a red plastic interior: a real oddity, and not priced in Ramsay’s because of this, it made £300 – which might turn out to be a true bargain for its new owner!