VECTIS FARMS OUT THE HECTOR HAMER COLLECTION

THE specialist sale held at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby on 12th April featured an impressive collection of farming-related models.

Born in April 1930 in Farnham, Surrey, Hector was brought up on a farm and always loved the countryside. As a child, he was fascinated by tractors and his first toy was a Fordson Standard. For over five decades, Hector found himself unearthing special models and his tractor collection grew exponentially and eclectically, from construction to military, tin plate to modern plastic, European to Japanese. Sadly, Hector passed away late last year, at the age of 91.

His last wish was that his collection should now allow others all the enjoyment and happiness it had given him over decades. Manufacturers in this collection include Britains, Tri-ang Spot-on, Corgi, Dinky, Joal, Ertl, NZG, Fun Ho and many others.

The sale produced some truly impressive results, with many lots exceeding pre-sale estimates by some margin. Here are the details of three that really caught the imagination of those bidding.

• Lot 278 Tri-ang Spot-on No 137 Massey-Harris Ferguson 65 Tractor

Red including mudguards, grey engine and body, yellow wheels, black seat and steering wheel, silver grille. Good plus to excellent in fair carded box, with folded leaflet and correct colour collectors card.

Estimate: £400 - £500 Sold For: £1,600

• Lot 279 Tri-ang Spot-on No 116 Caterpillar D9 Bulldozer

Yellow including rollers with black rubber tracks, silver blade. Good plus in good lift off lid box with correct inner packing piece, folded leaflet and correct colour collectors card. Estimate: £300 - £400 Sold For: £750

• Lot 296 Denzil Skinner & Co Ltd Nuffield Tractor

Orange, including hubs. Excellent in good lift-off-lid box with paper label, complete with instruction leaflet plus some facsimile sheets and original paper advert.

Estimate: £150 - £200 Sold For: £1,800 ■