With a bronze body and marked Lesney Product Made in England to the base, this boy racer is an extremely rare find; it is thought that only 1400 models were ever produced, which means that while its general condition is only fair, it is likely to fetch in excess of its £2500-3500 estimate when it goes under the hammer next week.
Featured in the same sale will be a Dodge Wreck Truck in reverse colours of a green cab and yellow back and base (as opposed to the more common yellow cab and green back and base). This is in mint condition with its box and as such a scarce anomaly rarely comes onto the market it carries high hopes of £2000-3000.
On the following day, March 13, the sale of the White Rose Collection takes place at the same venue. This is a single-owner sale of Corgi toys assembled by a collector in the US over 20 to 25 years, which has attracted global interest.
One of the undoubted highlights of the day will be this delightful Corgi Circus Set, made especially for American toy company FAO Schwarz. The auctioneers told the Antiques Trade Gazette: “This is the first time we have ever seen such a thing, and since the auction catalogue went online, we have had a lot if interest from collectors in both the US and Europe.” The set, in mint condition with a near perfect condition outer presentation box is described as a ‘superb example of an extremely rare set’ and has been modestly estimated at £700-1000. It was originally priced at the equivalent of £2.
Both sales will also be taking place live on the Internet. For further details visit www.vectis.co.uk or call the auctioneers on 01642 750616.
Coming up in Buckingham
Here’s something you’re unlikely to see much this century, lifesize or otherwise: a cap-wearing boy on a go-kart, commonly known to collectors of Matchbox toys as a Soapbox Racer. It’s the cover lot of Vectis Auction Group’s Matchbox Magic 8 sale, which takes place next week at the Community Hall in Buckingham.
