Batmobile brings in the bids

TOYS and games are a serious business for collectors.

Bidders at Stroud Auctions' April sale paid excellent prices for toys of different types and ages, from die-cast Corgi models of Eddie Stobart vehicles, sold for just under £1,000, to a 1980s Nintendo NES console and games, which made £350.

The auctioneer’s favourite lot was a vintage diesel enginepowered model pylon racing car, in the style of a 1930 single-seat racing car, which sold for £2,797 to a buyer in Australia.

A Hornby train set made a pleasing £380, while a batteryoperated vintage tinplate Batmobile sold for £300.

The highest price achieved among the 1,017 lots in the two-day sale - which featured specialist sections of toys, vinyl records, musical instruments and equipment, stamps, books, ephemera, paintings and pictures and furniture - was a mint and used world stamp collection that sold for £4,985.

The surprise result of the sale was the £3,890 paid for a 1930’s Clifford Essex ‘Paragon’ four string tenor banjo.

When the buyer was offered £2,000 for the instrument it seemed like a significant sum, but fierce bidding on the telephones and online proved that auction is still the best possible way of achieving the best price for your item.

In total, 1,291 bidders from 33 countries took part in the sale.

The next auction will be on June 14 and 15 at our brandnew saleroom, and will feature jewellery, silver, watches, coins, bijouterie and designer goods and textiles.

If you’ve never thought of buying at auction, why not come along to our public viewing day on June 13, from 10am to 6pm, and see us in our new surroundings.

We are still accepting items for our July auction, which will once again include vinyl records, toys, stamps, books, ephemera, paintings and pictures and musical instruments and equipment, along with twice-yearly cameras and scientific instruments section.

If you are thinking of selling, please give us a call on 01453 873800 to book a valuation or just email and ask for advice from one of our specialists.