CORGI GIFT SETS CAUSE QUITE A STIR AT VECTIS AUCTIONS

DURING the Specialist Diecast Sale, held at Vectis Auctions on 11th January, there were quite a few very desirable Corgi Toys gift sets up for bidding. Whilst they weren’t completely mint, they are still incredibly sought after items, so it was very interesting watching the battle that went on during their moment in the spotlight. Three in particular that caught the eye were GS16 Ecurie Ecosse Racing Car Transporter and Three Racing Cars, GS37 Lotus Racing Team and GS41 Car Transporter and 6 Cars.

The Ecurie Ecosse set included the Ecurie Ecosse Racing Car Transporter, of course, in blue with yellow lettering and spun hubs, plus the three racing cars – red No 150S Vanwall, blue No 151A Lotus Mark Eleven "Le Mans" and turquoise No 152 BRM. All were described as being good plus to excellent, in good to excellent boxes, with packing pieces. Starting with an estimate of £240 to £280, the hammer feel at £340.

The Lotus Racing Set included a white "Racing Club" Volkswagen Pick-up, green Lotus Climax Formula 1 Racing Car, green Lotus Elan S2, yellow Lotus Elan S2 Hardtop, red trailer and spare chassis, complete with cones in a bag. In good plus to excellent condition, in a good plus to excellent polystyrene tray and fair presentation box, the estimate of £180 to £220 was quickly passed, with the auction finishing at £280.

Corgi’s car transporter set compriosed a Ford H Series Articulated Car Transporter and six cars - blue Ford Consul Cortina Super Estate, metallic bronze Hillman Imp, metallic maroon Rover 2000, black ‘wickerwork’ Morris Mini Cooper, pale blue Morris Mini Minor and red BMC Mini Cooper S "Rallye Monte Carlo". With the vehicles all in good plus to excellent condition, in a fair to good polystyrene tray with good plus blue and yellow lift off lid box, interested parties soon pushed past the estimate of £400 to £500, with the winning bid closing the sale at £620. ■