Bing Brake c.1902 – £14,400 at W. & H. Peacock.
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).
