| f the largest collections of toy vehicles in the | | | | important rule will not make for happy children! |
| world went under the hammer recently for a | | | | This is because the golden rule is that toys |
| massive £100,000. | | | | destined for eventual sale should never be played |
| The lifelong collection of model cars enthusiast | | | | with; they should be in perfect condition – |
| Horace Dunkley was sold at a special event at | | | | and that means still with the original packaging. If |
| the beginning of April by toy auction specialists | | | | the car is battered or chipped, it could be reduced |
| Vectis, in Stockton-on-Tees. The 65-year-old Mr | | | | in value by 90 per cent, whereas the value of the |
| Dunkley, from Stamford in Lincolnshire, had | | | | item could rise by 100 per cent if it is still in the |
| decided to sell more than 2,000 cars from his | | | | original box. |
| treasured hoard in order to help pay for his | | | | Anyone looking for bargains at car boot sales or |
| retirement. | | | | on eBay should be very careful when examining |
| The auction was a great success, with many toy | | | | claims that items are one of a kind or |
| cars selling for more than the price of their real | | | | “limited edition.” There are a large |
| life equivalents. One 1976 Matchbox white 1930 | | | | number of fakes on the market, and the services |
| Model "J" Duesenberg car sold for £4,935, | | | | of an expert may be necessary to sort the |
| while the genuine model would only have set the | | | | wheat from the chaff. By the same token, there |
| buyer back £3,750. | | | | is little profit in just buying up every model car |
| Mr Dunkley began collecting toy cars in the | | | | that you see. It is much better to focus on |
| mid-1970s and soon developed into a full-blown | | | | certain types of vehicle, or certain brands. |
| obsession. However, the sums obtained at the | | | | Collectors usually want to complete a |
| auction showed what a good investment they | | | | “set”, such as buses, coaches, |
| had turned out to be, as well as a great hobby. | | | | trucks bearing advertising or military vehicles. |
| There has been a surge of interest in model | | | | Because of the sheer range of Dinky and |
| vehicles in recent years, with toy cars made by | | | | Matchbox models out there, it is also well worth |
| Matchbox, Dinky and Tonka often selling for | | | | investing in one of the respected guidebooks out |
| five-figure sums. In March 2008, a pre-war "type | | | | there, such as Mike and Sue Richardson’s |
| 22" W E Boyce Dinky delivery van scooped the | | | | Dinky Toys and Modelled Miniatures, or Warman's |
| record for the highest-selling toy of its kind when | | | | Matchbox Field Guide: Values and Identification by |
| it was sold at auction for an amazing | | | | Tom Larson. Such guides can also be of invaluable |
| £19,975. | | | | assistance when it comes to valuing one’s |
| For anyone hoping to make their fortune from | | | | own collection – as can the toy companies |
| their own toy collection, however, there are some | | | | themselves, all of which offer some kind of |
| important rules to follow – and the most | | | | identification service. |