Reading’s SAS will continue CSK toy sales

Following their decision to radically change their collectables sales, Christie’s South Kensington are to refer all their toy business to Berkshire firm Special Auction Services.

The Kennetholme, Midgham firm, recently under new ownership, have already promised the resurrection of the annual Trains Galore sale that was an institution at CSK for 20 years.

As the dust begins to settle following Christie’s May announcement that they would be ending their interest in a number of established collecting areas, Special Auction Services have become the first beneficiaries of their changing strategy.

The first of the new Trains Galore sales, that have served as a meeting place for model enthusiasts from around the world since 1986, will be on December 14 – there is already in stock a fine and large selection of Hornby Series and Marklin H0 gauge – and the auctioneers are keen to point out the advantages of ample car parking spaces and a site outside London’s congestion zone.

Christie’s have given the new venture their seal of approval and Hugo Marsh, former head of department who remains at Christie’s in the role of director of business development, has recently written to vendors and buyers on Christie’s mailing list recommending them to SAS.

The firm have an established relationship with CSK: they have received referrals for low value toys and those that were made post 1969 and in Nigel Mynheer share a consultant.

Thomas Plant who, together with Neil Shuttleworth, took over SAS from company founder Andrew Hilton in September to host sales of modern design, toys, silver and jewellery told ATG he had already received plenty of enquiries following the announcement on July 7.

As previously reported, Christie’s have decided to axe individual sales of cameras, toys, teddy bears and dolls, mechanical music, maritime models, scientific instruments, film and entertainment memorabilia and sporting memorabilia. Instead they will group collectables under two sales that were officially announced last week.

Under the leadership of Nick Martineau, biannual sales of Travel, Science and Natural History will begin in spring 2008 combining the best scientific instruments with the content of the Travel and Exploration sales. The second new category of biannual sale will be Popular Culture and Entertainment, a broad brush that will combine memorabilia from the fields of film, music, entertainment and sport. The department will be led by Helen Hall.

More announcements regarding the future of other defunct CSK departments are expected shortly with at least one former head of department planning to launch their own specialist auction business.

By Roland Arkell