Meccano in the news!

Meccano has been making waves recently at Vectis. The auction house’s Model Train sale, held on 15 July, featured the first part of the Malcolm Hanson Meccano and constructional toy collection. In all 220 lots were sold: and here was the proof that collecting isn’t all about diecast and Star Wars.

Typical of the treasures was a rare Meccano Mechanics Made Easy X Set. This early set was housed in a sliding box and was the first one of this type that Vectis had ever offered. With a modest estimate of £600-800, this was finally knocked down for £1,560.

Meccano storage cabinets are always in demand and the best example, a wooden cabinet with double hinged doors to the front and Meccano transfer to the base, was in good shape. A number of nickel parts and hooks were present in the cabinet, which had a lift-out tray and a selection of other parts. Again, the estimate was modest at £500-600 and this set went to a delighted new constructor for £1,320.

Moving on, the later Meccano Outfit No 10 in blue, gold and red, with a boxed No1 clockwork motor and a NoE120 electric motor, attracted much interest. A host of other parts accompanied this set, as did a number of instruction sheets. Contents were described as excellent and were contained within a large green Meccano No10 box with hinged lid and lift-out trays. The hammer finally went down on £2,280.

Whilst Meccano boxed sets are eagerly sought after, equally, ancillaries have their following. A Meccano M251 Electric Lighting Set for the Meccano Motorcar Constructor Outfit No2 was a case in point. Dating from 1935, this rare set was virtually mint in an excellent box. Someone certainly saw the light, for it raised £600.

In contrast, and dating back to 1916, the Meccano Live Steam Vertical Stationary Engine comprised a single vertical boiler with a water gauge to the front, a single, vertically mounted cylinder and a flywheel. It sported an MLL gold transfer on the cast base and despite the fact that the top funnel was absent, this model raised temperatures, finally selling for £648, almost double the pre-sale estimate.

Finally, more mainstream was the 1933 Meccano Aeroplane Constructor Set No1, finished in green and cream. The aircraft had been restrung to a backing board and the contents and box were excellent. Unsurprisingly this flew away to £624, three times its estimate.