Big Boys' Toys

Some of the Dinky Toys and Dinky Supertoys. A selection of Corgi Toys. Big Boys’ Toys Ray Strutt previews a collection of toys coming to auction at Wallis & Wallis Matchbox Series box. The rare colour Vauxhall Cresta. in Lewes, Sussex. ‘What goes around, comes around,’ they say, but when it’s a and include Bedford TK and Bedford S type Mobilgas tankers, a rare collection of toys such as those brought together by the late Bob Ewers, Hammonds Commer van, a Belgian issue Smiths Karrier mobile it does not happen very often. canteen and Bedford vans in Corgi Toys, Evening Standard and KLG Dominating his collection, which is coming up for auction by livery. specialist toy auctioneers, Wallis & Wallis, in Lewes, Sussex, are six The continental makes include a French, JRD Hafa Motor Oil truck, hundred plus, Matchbox Series toys dating from the mid fifties - these Total articulated tanker, Kronenbourg Unic tractor and trailer set, two are the ones that came in little boxes that look like matchboxes. They Danish Tekno Carlsberg trucks and a selection of the same make Ford comprise all three series that were produced and include some forty or Taunus vans in various attractive liveries. so that, by virtue of their colour or casting variation are in the group of Particularly appealing, and sought after, are the ‘Tour de France’ scarce to very rare toys. As such they can command extremely high vehicles, comprising the very attractive PR Waterman vehicle, a rare prices from traders and, of course, collectors, set on filling the gaps in Way-boy’s Les Routiers Byrrh wagon, a Salza Citroen Red Cross their collection. ambulance, a rare Renault ‘Savon Ambre Le Chat’ and a Salza Peugeot Examples of these are the rare pink and turquoise Vauxhall Cresta, promotional, with Liberia Grammont, Spar, etc., advertisements. a Beales Bealesons van, produced for the Bournemouth store which still Lastly, and by no means least, a fascinating assortment of early trades to this day, a Pickfords Removals van, two German export issue British toy vehicles and accessories confirm the diversity of interest that ‘Aral’ petrol tankers - Leyland and Bedford, and three colour variations Bob created in the collection he assembled. Made by a variety of of the Aston Martin DB2-4. Sets include two Major Packs, M-9 companies, some of them are very rare and even ‘never seen before’ by Interstate Double Freighters, M2, Bedford Artic.Walls Ice Cream lorry, experts who have been consulted. and the rare 1959 Transporter and six cars Gift Set. From Moko, there is Sid Walker, a pop-pop scooter, a Prime Mover Dinky Toys, well known the world over, are much sought after by trailer and bulldozer, an excavator and a cement mixer, all from the today’s collectors and although the number in the sale is not great, most early fifties. of those now released for others to enjoy come complete with their Other makes include a Charbens tree wagon, and a tractor and boxes, as the enthusiast requires. trailer set, a John Hill & Co. Roman gladiators, figures and chariots set, Commercial vehicles with period signing predominate, and all but a scarce Crescent Toys milking time set, a village blacksmiths set by F a very few are in mint condition, just as they were packed for despatch G Taylor & Sons and an unusual Taylor & Barrett group of pay boxes, all those years ago. They are generally single lotted and include a scarce turnstiles and railings. cream and grey Dinky Supertoys Horsebox, a Bedford Heinz 57 lorry, Sadly, it is only with their owner’s passing that some collections see an Austin Shell van, Castrol and National Benzole tankers, a Bedford the light of day and I have seen it written that ‘the one who dies with Ovaltine van and one in Dinky Toys livery, Capstan and Post Office the most toys wins.’ In Bob’s case, despite the large number of Morris J vans, and Oxo, Chivers and Brooke Bond Tea Trojan vans. Matchbox Series toys he acquired, quality not quantity prevailed and Bob’s collecting habits were very focused, and complementing the what is now available for others to enjoy is a true dedication to his Dinkies are a selection of Corgi Toys, all of which have appeal, together collecting endeavours. with a very fine assembly of various continental makes, many seldom The major part of the collection is included in Wallis & Wallis’ seen in their country of origin, let alone here in the UK. auction on 12th February, the remainder being offered in their 19th As with the Dinkies, most of these last two groups are commercial March sale. Catalogues for each auction are available, price £8.50 each, vehicles, the liveries of which are very attractive and colourful - the including postage, direct from Wallis & Wallis, telephone 01273 continental makes especially so. Again, the majority are single lotted 480208, fax 01273 476562, e-mail: [email protected] ANTIQUES INFO - Mar/Apr 01 A selection of Matchbox toys. A selection of Danish, French and German toys. Matchbox set and single items. Some of the Dinky Toys and Dinky Supertoys. A group of Moko toys. A group of French toys. Tour de France vehicles. Various early British toys. ANTIQUES INFO - Mar/Apr 01 .

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