A local 90-year-old gentleman and his wife were in the room to watch his childhood toy sell for a small fortune at W. & H. Peacock’s recent ‘Memories of Childhood’ sale in Bedford.
The 9½in (24cm) tinplate Bing brake with a
clockwork mechanism is one of a celebrated range of more than a
dozen automotive toys that appear in the firm's 1902 catalogue.
All are much admired for their design, build
quality and detail and this example (it had been secondhand when
the vendor was given it as a boy) had survived in superb condition.
Only a split to the front left wing marred a toy that retained all
its original components and original yellow, green and maroon paint
finish.
Peacock's estimated the car at £800-1200 for
the auction on October 13 but bidding from two parties (on the
telephone and online) saw it sell to the latter at £14,400 (plus
15% buyer's premium).
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