Back-toback sales
Special Auction Services has had a busy time of it recently, with two sales almost back to back.
Its general train sales on October 26 combined with the general toy sale on November 9 proved once again that the collectables market remains buoyant, the combined auctions totalling a useful £101,000.
Despite the huge amount of ready-to-run locos and rolling stock that inhabits this particular collecting segment, the train sale showed that accessories and projects can still make good money. Lot 145, which comprised a number of boxed HornbyDublo signals, was taken to £240, while another lot featured modern EFE 1938 Underground stock, some of which was fitted with Tenshodo motor bogies and which was, as such, an uncompleted project. In spite of this, the assortment was still bid to £260. Elsewhere, an almost complete set of Yeadon’s Register of LNER locomotives was vigorously contested to £270, showing that not all books have lost their value. Even less than perfect railway items found new homes for decent prices, as witnessed by a Hornby 0 gauge SR pink refrigerator van which made £120, this despite being in only fair condition with a repainted roof. Such results, one imagines, are very encouraging for the sector.
As for the toy sale, the event illustrated that modern vehicles continue to be increasingly popular, despite what some pundits may feel. A number of OOC buses sold for £420, while 39 Lledo Vanguards settled on a winning bid of £400. A total of ten Creative Master Northcord Single Deck London buses raised a creditable £400. ■