Regular Vectis customers, and avid Dinky Toy collectors, may remember the phenomenal David Ireland collection which was held at our North East Auction house in 2011.

Many of the pre-war boxed sets from that collection realised record breaking prices, and the sale at the time was described as “one of the finest private owner collections ever to come onto the market”. A number of those sets were bought by a single buyer, who has now decided the time is right to part with some of his collection. And the quality of those lots is still as magnificent today as they were eight years ago.

The collection includes the Hornby Series No.22 motor vehicles set, which at the time sold for a record price of £22,800 (inclusive of Buyers Premium), the set includes an Army Tank, Delivery Van, Sports Car, Motor Truck, Sports Coupe and Farm tractor. It has been described as a bright example of a hard and rare to find set and graded Excellent Plus to Near Mint, contained in a generally Good to Excellent blue patterned lift off lid box with original card.

Another pre war set, this time no. 24 “Motor Cars” set is in a later type wide box with display insert and contains 24a Ambulance, 24c Town Sedan, 24d Vogue Saloon, 24e Super Streamlined Saloon,  24f Sportsman's Coupe, 24g Sports Tourer 2-seater and 24h Sports Tourer 4-seater, conditions overall are generally Good to Excellent (although some are showing signs of fatigue) however they are still beautiful examples in a hard to find set.

The French Collection, consists of the some of the finest examples of pre war sets, including Gift Sets, Trade Boxes, Aeroplane sets, plus many superb single models.

The catalogue is now online to view, and the sale will be held on Tuesday the 5^th of November - a date, definitely to remember, and starts at the earlier time of 10am.

For further information please contact Andrew Reed on 01642 750616 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rare figures to be in the Doll & Bear Sale in October at Vectis

When Illustrator George Studdy began sketching images of a rolling white pup with sparse black spots and huge blue eyes, he did not realise what canine capers were to follow. 

After working freelance and for a number of publications, Studdy became a regular contributor at The Sketch Magazine.  His editor at the time tasked George with presenting something lighter for the publication.  The little pup appeared in 1921 to instant popularity, readers wanted to read more about his misadventures and most pressing, needed to know his name. ‘Bonzo’ was Christened on the 8^th Nov 1922.

George and his wife loved dogs and owned several at a time, these alongside the antic of his young daughter Vivienne provided endless inspiration for the escapades Bonzo got into.  A girl friend for him was added in the form of a Pekinese named Chee Kee, named after Studdy own Peke at home and providing more possibilities for exploits.

A wealth of merchandise followed, postcards, condiment holders, perfume bottles, china, games, books, annuals, toys and figures by both Royal Doulton and Royal Worchester. Everyone it seemed was Bonzo bananas, even Royalty! The first time a reigning royal attended a public cinema screening was when King George V and his wife Queen Mary went to see a short cartoon version of Bonzo in 1926.

 Some of the most appealing Bonzo are in soft form, made in the UK by Chad Valley in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  Arguably the rarest b piece is the Steiff version (not thought to be on general release) from 1927 and a Bonzoette, which featured a Bonzo head on a long-limbed body in 1928, which was generally available for that year.

In the Doll & Teddy Bear Sale on Thursday 24^th October Lot 5210, features not just one but TEN wooden, articulated, painted musician band figures of Bonzo. This rare set was crafted in Italy by Anri, who attached paper labels to the sole of the figures foot, and stamped ‘Deposee’ (Trademark). Each figure is individually hand painted capturing the character of Bonzo as a musical band. Each is five way jointed to enable posing and hold an instrument. The orchestra includes drummers, trumpet, trombone, cello and clarinet players.

This delightful set would make a fantastic focal point of any Bonzo collection!

For more information contact Kathy Taylor on +44 (0) 1642 750616 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Specialist Sale held on the 5^th of November was definitely be one to remember. The sale started at the earlier time of 10AM with The French Collection, 489 lots of superb quality models including predominantly Dinky and French Dinky pieces. Lots included boxed and unboxed road and racing cars, coaches, vans, tankers and trucks, construction vehicles, military and farm; plus a fantastic selection of pre- and post-war Gift Sets and Trade Boxes, including a Dinky Pre War (Hornby Series) 22 “Motor vehicles” gift set and a 24 “Motor Cars” set. Other items included Dinky petrol stations and accessories, figures sets, ships and pre- and post-war aircraft. Further items included Corgi Chipperfield Circus, MA Collection white metal/resin vehicles, Tekno, and Marklin, and Dinky restored and repainted groups. The sale also featured a further 61 lots of boxed and unboxed Dinky, Corgi and other models.

Doll & Bear Sale Thursday 24th October

Rarities, Red Bears and Rosebuds!

The name Steiff is synonymous with quality toys and the examples in the Vectis sale from this company from the early years of 1890’s through to present date are testament to this.

There truly is something for everyone – and given Steiff's universal appeal – is certain to be of great interest to collectors, museums, and toy enthusiasts and historians all around the world.

The collection includes one of the finest examples of an early Steiff cat skittle, dating from 1892 – 1904. Steiff began to identify all their pieces with the trademark ‘Knopf im ohr’ (button in ear) from 1904 onwards. It has been part of a set of felt skittles and is accompanied by a red and blue felt ball, these were generally released as a set of eight cat plus one cat kingpin, apart from in the US where they included a tenth skittle. He is in exceptional condition with a tempting pre-sale estimate of £600 - £1200.

Having the wealth of archive material that Steiff has access to, it often launches replicas of its early examples using the original patterns.  Lot numbers 5297 and 5443 provide the rare opportunity to purchase not only the replica 1934 Scotty Terrier but the original too!  The early example was made in grey frosted mohair from 1930 and then in a solid black.  Both are extremely appealing pupsters, so if you can’t stretch to the £80 - £120 estimate for the first edition then perhaps you can get add a later replica estimated at only for £35 - £45.

In addition to the button, Steiff has used white, yellow and red ear tags to help identify its products. Red tags were primarily used from 1926 – 1934 and so to find a Steiff toy still with the red tag attached is exciting.  Lot number 5440 Steiff Molly Dog, #3310, dates from the 1927-1930 period. He has blonde mohair, brown and black glass eyes, black vertically stitched nose and is in a seated position with a jointed neck, in generally good order for his age. He has a pre-sale estimate of £140 - £240. Molly dog was a popular line for Steiff and the sale also includes a #3310 (4360/10), 1952-1969 example plus the third option again of a replica Steiff Molly dog 1927 in white and red tipped mohair.

All ready for Halloween is the Steiff vintage Eric the Bat, #1310/00, made from 1960 to 1962, in mohair with synthetic wings this guy may be little at only 4" (10cm), but we are sure he could give you a big scare if needed! He is Lot number 5450 he has a pre-sale estimate of £40 - £60.

There are some Steiff pieces that although were not limited editions were not produced for a long period or in a small run and therefore not often seen on the secondary market. Lot 5408 is a splash of miniature sea creatures / shell fish including Swinny Seahorse, Coloro Seestern Star Fish and Mosy Muschel Oyster Shell in Lot No 5408 and are delightful.

In 2016, one of the worlds most recognised Steiff Teddy bears, Alfonzo, left his home at Teddy bears of Witney and travelled to become the star attraction at a new museum in Denmark.

Alfonzo, has been described as the most romantic bear in the world, made in 1906 by Steiff for Russian Princess Xenia, cousin of Tsar Nicholas II and travelled with his royal mistress when she visited Buckingham Palace in 1914. Xenia’s mother was Princess Marie of Denmark and Greece.

If you need a fix of this wonderful red bear, lots 5425 – 5430 provide the opportunity to add one to your collection.

There is an abundance of other vintage Steiff animals in the sale including three studio (display pieces) – zebra, gazelle and flossy fish.

Miniature vintage teddy ‘soldier’ bears are always in demand, add in the story of the that it, plus pipe cleaner horse companion were the childhood companions of twins David and Guy Campbell born on 18th January 1910; they were bought for them over a number of years by their grandmother. They gave the two boys great joy and many hours of play acting with them. When the boys staged The Battle of Waterloo, the bears would ride on pipe cleaner horses. They made about one hundred "steeds", each with little faces, eyes and ears, blue or pink reins and brown thick pipe cleaner fur.  The pair have a pre-sale estimate of £200 - £300.

In every Vectis sale, one of the most popular and strong segments is the Steiff Limited Edition section, this one being no exception. Early pieces from the 1980’s Museum collection right up to modern releases.

Artist bears, are also in abundance including a large offering of ‘Teddystyle’ bruins which are outstanding. Orchestrator of these creations, Janet Clarke has been a designer, maker, teacher, mentor and innovator since the mid 1980’s. Like many bear artists, Janet started with a teddy made from a pattern, sewn as a gift for her sister Jackie.  The attention to detail, luxurious finish and excellent tailoring on her dressed teds, meant Janet’s designs were in great demand all over the globe.

There is a rousing dose of medical bears which make a striking parade. Jean Morris of ‘Parkside Bears’ was well known for her use of vintage fabrics, lace, accessories and jewellery. Her nurse bear is reminiscent of a WWI carer, with white apron, armbands and cap, she proudly sports her ‘Red Cross’ and ’15 Years Long Service Award’ medals. She is gently aged, with painted detailing and would be the focal point of any collection.

Having previously worked as a theatre costumer, Jennie Sharman Cox of ‘Mister Bears’, tailoring skills are second to none. The two nurses in the auction have perfectly scaled uniforms of the 1930 – 40’s.  Ever popular there are several ‘Bears of Grace’ examples, in sparse mohair with black eyes and leather pads. The dedicated nurse accompanies her soldier charge and is keeping a close eye on him. Military bears are of course another variation to explore. Models do not have to cost a great deal to be part of an effective ensemble. The Gantz Cottage Collectables and Boyds bears in medical attire make a marvellous contribution to the theme.

You might be drawn to manufacturers such as Farnell, Chad Valley or Pedigree, and we have several examples of this underestimated British classic producers in the sale.

There are some prime examples of hard plastic and plastic dolls made by the iconic British producers such as Pedigree, Palitoy and Rosebud. In excellent condition, many accompanied by their original boxes.  Pippa also makes an appearance as do beautiful bisque dolls from Armand Marseille, Heubach, Simon & Halbig and Kestner.

All the Doll and Bear Sales at Vectis are room sales, which gives buyers the opportunity to mingle, bond with the bears, inspect the dolls and chat to fellow enthusiasts. If you can’t be there in person you can watch all the action live, bid through the site or via the telephone.   Whatever ‘type’ of bear or you prefer we are sure to have something to tempt you.

For more information or to be kept up to date about future bears sales contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.