Now is a wheelie good time to sell collectables from yesteryear
IF you were lucky enough to be a kid in the 1970s – when mobile phones and social media didn’t exist to swallow up time – you probably spent countless hours racing around on your bike. Owning that first bicycle was a big moment of freedom back in the day and the dream bike to have was a Raleigh Chopper.
Today nostalgia is surging through the 1970s collectables market and making items from that period hugely desirable. This includes everything from teak furniture and studio pottery to designer watches and toys.
For example, in our latest Toy and Railwayana Auction, lot 4190, a 1970s Raleigh Chopper, MK2 bike in complete and original condition sold for £680. Last summer, an unridden 1970s Raleigh Chopper MK2 in amazing condition soared to £1,250. Its Derby owner told us it had been kept in a bedroom for years.
It’s finds like these that make every day special at Hansons – and they remind you that iconic design grows in value.
The Raleigh Chopper, influenced by American dragsters and ‘chopped’ motorcycles, was so popular Raleigh sold more than 1.5 million of them. It was the coolest of bicycles and perfect for practising wheelies.
Now a good vintage Chopper is worth more than its original retail price. In 1973 a Mk2 cost around £34 - equivalent to around £361 in today’s money.”
The Chopper, manufactured by Nottingham’s Raleigh Bicycle Company, stood out in the 1970s because of its ground-breaking good looks. However, its design has sparked debate with claims made by both Tom Karen of Ogle Design and Alan Oakley of Raleigh.
Whoever played their part in creating the Chopper it was a stroke of genius. If you just happen to have one in decent condition at home, it goes without saying that you would gain a good price for it at auction.
But if you haven’t there are plenty of other toy and train-related items that could unleash success under the gavel. Even an old camera could prove to be an auction winner.
Other items in our latest Toy Auction included lot 4023, a collection of play-worn, diecast vehicles which sold for £520.
Vintage toy vehicles will always be desirable and we see some lovely examples. We’re now sourcing lots for our July 22 Toy Auction and have just taken in a 1960s Corgi Chipperfields Circus gift set, estimate £100-£150. Complete with original box, it includes trucks, trailers and a crane.
Railwayana came to the fore in lot 4117, a rare Trix Twin Railway/ Bassett-Lowke, OO gauge, LMS Coronation Locomotive. It achieved a hammer price of £380.
Lot 4164, a boxed set of six long straight Lehmann track pieces reached £360 and lot 4168, a collection of railway transfers on wooden boards sold for £320.
Star Wars toys always take off at auction and lot 4172, a collection of assorted figures climbed to £320. In the same vein, lot 4174, a Star Wars portfolio of artwork with cast signatures skyrocketed to £300 and lot 4175, a boxed Gerry Anderson Thunderbirds Zero-X Space Vehicle, made in 1967 by Century 21 Productions, sold for £270.
Our Toy and Railwayana Auctions include a category for cameras.
With the advent of digital cameras and smart phones you may think traditional cameras have lost their mojo but this is a strong and growing market.
Lot 4252, a boxed Samsung NX1 camera with original box, battery and charger made £500 and lot 4248, a boxed Nikon D600 camera, serial number 8007559, sold for £240.
The message is simple - never discard an item found gathering dust because you think it has no, or little, value. I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard of objects almost making it to the tip before a chance trip to one of our valuation days led to auction success.
If a spring clean has led to some discoveries, or you’re just having a clear out, Covid-safe free valuations are available by appointment at Hansons, Etwall, in an airy marquee. General valuations are available MondayFriday, 10am-4pm, Wednesday, 5-7.30pm and Saturdays, 9am-noon.
Plus, we have a team of specialists available every week – including me. On Fridays, from 10am-4pm, I specialise in valuing Fine Art paintings and Asian and Oriental works of art. I also cover general valuations and you can book an appointment to see me.
Likewise, from 10am-4pm, at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, we offer specialist valuation events. Tuesdays: Toys, railwayana, vintage video games and consoles and cameras with David Wilson-Turner; ceramics and glass with Barry Jones. Wednesdays: wine, whisky, spirits and music memorabilia with Josh McCarthy; coins, medals and militaria with William Haywood. Thursdays: Jewellery, silver, watches, textiles and luxury goods with Helen Smith.
To book a free valuation appointment, email service@ hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.