The John Gurney Collection

The John Gurney Collection is a fantastic collection of mainly white metal items which have been collected over many years. Day one features Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, Franklin and Danbury Mint and day two includes Gems & Cobwebs, Milestone, Brooklin and Minimarque.

All of the lots on offer are boxed and each day features over 600 lots.

Some particularly nice examples from the collection include Daimler and Jaguar models, racing cars from the 1930s to early 1990s and a “Rob Eddie” by Brooklin. The collection also includes a large quantity of police cars and TV & Film related items including The Saint.

“John was interested in collecting from an early age. At 7 years old he was on first name terms with his local toy shop manager. His younger brother would accompany him to the shop, on a weekly basis, where John would pay off for the latest model in instalments. He had been bitten by the collecting bug. This was the start of a lifelong collection and the delivery of an awful lot of parcels!

John’s mum would buy him and his brother identical cars. John would put his away and have the enjoyment of playing with his younger brothers’.

John enjoyed mooching around toy fairs looking for unusual and limited edition models to add to his collection. He would often come home with a carrier bag and a big smile on his face. He would then disappear into the lofts (he had two) which were his man caves.

John took pride in his cars and some only came out for inspection on purchase. They then got stashed away in his Aladdin’s cave. Ann, John’s wife was very tolerant and on seeing yet another parcel her eyes would roll although there were a good few that were sneaked past her. Despite this they were happily married for 57 years.

John made many friends through his love of collecting. He was well known within the circle of dealers which no doubt improved his collection enormously!

In fact, John was an avid collector of most things: trains, comics, “lost” hub caps and anything to do with Wallace and Gromit. He was one of life’s magpies!

We, his family, hope the models find good homes and will be treasured as much as they were by John.”

The Graham Hamilton Ultimate Matchbox Picture Box Collection

Part 1 - 26th & 27th May 2021

Part 2 - 29th & 30th September 2021

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

Covering the entire Lesney Matchbox Picture Box era from 1962 - 1982 the collection covers every possible genre of Matchbox collecting. You name it and it’s comprehensively represented including obscure ranges such as Screaming Demons along with Retailers Point of Sale Shop Displays etc.

Well-known and respected in international Matchbox circles Graham has pieced his personal collection together over decades of trading. Many rare and unique models have come directly from Ex-Lesney employees, many of whom worked within the research and development department responsible for designing new additions to the range. 

The philosophy of the collection was simple - to assemble an example of every picture box released by Matchbox Toys over the years including significant printing variations where applicable. The hard part was then to match this box artwork to a corresponding model so that body, window, interior, base and wheel variations were an exact match to the artists illustration on the box. Pretty much an impossible task to complete, but we do have a dazzling array of these throughout the sale.

Part 1 of the collection will be held over 26th/27th May comprising both Regular Wheel and Superfast 1-75 series models, with the remainder of the collection being offered on the 29th/30th September.

To commemorate this landmark event Vectis Auctions are publishing a full colour Limited Edition collector’s reference catalogue priced at just £25. Demand for these catalogues is bound to be high, so to avoid disappointment please register your interest in purchasing a copy as quickly as possible.

Check out our YouTube channel for an in depth preview with Graham and our very own Julian Royse:

Providing the Governments road map continues on the right course, the room will be open to the public for this auction. Customers must wear face masks (unless exempt) and regularly sanitise hands. The two-metre rule will also apply.

A photo Album has been created on our Facebook page for additional images from this collection. This can be viewed at the following link: -

Facebook

We have also created an Events Page on Facebook. Any interested parties can join the event and it will send a reminder for the sale and give updates: -

https://www.facebook.com/events/244403950797575/?active_tab=discussion

Viewing times: Tuesday 25th May

                    10am - 4pm by appointment only

                    Wednesday 26th May

                    8am - 10am, auction commences at 10: 00am

                    Thursday 27th May

                    8am - 10am, auction commences at 10: 00am

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic no tea or coffee facilities are available. Please bring your own refreshments if required.

TV & Film Related and General Toys – 13^th December 2017

The TV & Film Related and General Toys Sale to be held on the 13^th of December starts with 100 lots of TV and Film related items, including Ghostbusters, Gerry Anderson, Dr Who, Action Force and Action figures, Star Wars, Transformers and James Bond, including vehicles and figures. The sale will also include toys and games, Lego and a signed HR GIGER framed poster. The remaining 500+ lots of general toys are made up of Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox and similar boxed and unboxed groups of vehicles; Lledo, EFE and a large collection of Vanguards and Airfix. The sale will also feature figures, dolls, teddies and general children’s toys, books and games.

TV & Film related – 14^th December 2017

The TV & Film Related sale to be held on the 14^th of December features some interesting items, including a Meccano square cut 18 back Star Wars Boba Fett, which is UKG graded, plus further graded Star Wars figures. There is an unusual collection of Neca Bobble Head / Head Knockers which include Alien characters, Iron Maiden, Predator, Gremlins, Hellraiser and Freddy Mercury, plus a Monkee’s collection which features a talking glove puppet, vintage magazines, Monkee mobiles and collectables, including sheet music and photographs.   The sale will also include electronic games, action figures, vehicles, children’s games and toys plus Fast Food premiums, Lego and much more.