Get ‘Swept’ Along with the Auction at Vectis!

Auctions are always exciting! The anticipation of the day, some lots which draw feverish attention and exceed all expectations whilst others slip quietly by with a single bid.

The Tinplate and General Toy Sale on Thursday 19th July offers over 300+ lots of tinplate and plastic to suit all tastes and pockets.

One of the most anticipated lots will be No. 2168 – a Lehmann (Germany) 450 ‘Baker & Chimney Sweep’. Lehmann, founded in Brandenburg in 1881 is recognised as innovators, introducing lightweight tinplate toys and locking mechanism for clockwork motors.


The example in the sale was produced from 1900 onwards and features a three spoke wheel tricycle carrying a figure of a Baker in white overalls plus a Chimney Sweep standing behind holding his broom. Being one of the early models this is highly sought after and the pre-sale estimate of £2,000 to £2,500 is conservative.


During the 1950’s and 60’s, the toy market in the UK and US were dominated by established manufacturers such as Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox. During this time a number of Hong Kong based companies producing extremely good copies of home produced Diecast toys, these were not fakes as these were clearly marked with ‘Hong Kong’ branding but copies in plastic, often in a different scale to the originals. Once looked down upon, collectors are starting to appreciate these plastic marvels in their own right. There is a quantity of them in the sale including Lot. 2210 Merehall, which is a plastic, friction driven model of a BMC van. The pre-sale estimate of £40 - £60 is an extremely tempting one.


There are sections of JNF racing cars, Schuco vehicles, Victory Industries 1/18th Scale battery operated cars, MGA, Triumph and TRO (both boxed and unboxed).

If you find you are struggling to park your vehicles then there is a forecourt full! Mainly dating from the 1950’s and 60’s, there is wooden and plastic versions. Although being produced by different businesses, many are very similar in design with just the branding letting you know the maker. There are unusual makers, such as –

  • Binbak (Bradford)
  • Playvalue (Lewes, Sussex)
  • Amersham Toy Works
  • Triang
  • O. D Product (Made in Scotland)

 The Triang Minic section of the sale features rare pre and post war examples of lorries, vans, tankers, buses and taxis, both boxed and unboxed.

 The catalogue for the sale will be free to view online approx. two weeks prior to the sale date on the website www.vectis.co.uk

For more information please contact David Bowers – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Andrew Reed This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +44 (0) 1642 750616.