Why toys deliver joy forever – fuelled by festive memories One thing is forever entwined with the excitement of the festive season – the joy of unwrapping a new toy on Christmas morning. Children across Cheshire will be making lists and hoping Santa will be kind to them. But one thing they’re too young to realise is that toy cheer will remain with them forever, returning in waves of nostalgia. One woman who knows this well is Hansons’ dolls and teddy bear consultant Janet Rawnsley. She is a lifelong collector who has written books on the subject. She leads fortnightly valuations events in Cheshire Two 19th century French dolls sold and is always on the hunt for for £1,700. items that may fly at auction. Nostalgia fuels the toy market with collectors around the world keen to amass items that remind them of their formative years. Consequently, Hansons’ specialist toy sales have increased and cover everything from dolls, teddies and railwayana to Pokémon and gaming. Hansons also holds single-owner sales, often courtesy of lifelong model railway enthusiasts. However, dolls and teddies were at the forefront of a giant single-owner collection recently catalogued by Janet. She undertook the task of sorting through hundreds of boxes – and discovered childhood treasures along the way. Among them was a first-issue 1971 Paddington bear made at a cottage factory started by Jeremy Clarkson’s mum, Shirley Clarkson. It went to auction Paddington Bear with an estimate of £60-£80 but sold for £260. soared to £260. Paddington emerged in mint condition inside his original shipping bag with Dunlop boots, felt hat and coat. Janet had never seen one in unused condition before as they were generally loved and played with.
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The first Paddington bear soft toy was designed by Shirley Clarkson as a Christmas present for her children, Joanna and Jeremy, the worldfamous TV presenter. They proved so popular with Joanna and her friends that Mrs Clarkson went on to make many more Paddington teddies, lovingly hand-stitched in her kitchen. So many people liked them her company, Gabrielle Designs, was granted a licence to sell them in the UK in 1972 and royalties were agreed with Paddington Bear’s creator Michael Bond. But Paddington is just one example of a toy adored by children. There is something for everyone. Other recent lots have included two 19th century French dolls which sold for £1,700; a Palitoy Action Man, £115, and vintage blocks sets, £45. Old or new, vintage or antique, toys deliver joy forever.
Palitoy Action Man, sold for £115.
Vintage blocks sets, sold for £45.
General antiques, dolls/teddy valuations are available fortnightly at St John’s Knutsford Church Centre, Church Hill, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6DH. Upcoming dates include October 28th, November 11th and 25th and December 9th and 16th, 11am-1pm. To find out more, or to book a valuation, email Janet Rawnsley: jrawnsley@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk Twitter: HansonsUK Facebook: HansonsAuctioneersUK Instagram: hansons_auctioneers
