Models, Toys, Dolls & Games

Collecting toys will undoubtedly evoke nostalgic memories of a long-gone childhood – from die-cast models (including Dinky Toys and Corgi), model railways, toy soldiers, dolls, teddies, games and general juvenilia, such as Meccano and LEGO, there is wealth of choice in this collecting area.


Robot ashtray

Robot ashtray ignites saleroom interest

28 August 2026

Elektro was built in 1937 by industrial giant Westinghouse in Mansfield, Ohio, for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York: the first robot in the world that could walk, talk and even count on his fingers.

img_15-1.jpg

The furniture removal wagon that could be removed by a rail wagon

28 August 2026

The Marklin ‘wagon within a wagon’ toy is a popular choice for collectors. Essentially this is a horsedrawn wagon that fits inside a railway wagon for transporting a long way.

img_13-1.jpg

A very special Steiff bear

28 August 2026

This rare large Steiff brown-tipped mohair Teddy Clown bear offered by Special Auction Services (20% buyer’s premium) in its summer Fine Dolls, Teddy Bears & Traditional Toys Auction was once owned by a Josefina González González of Cuba.

img_59-1.jpg

Potters support toy fairs after sale of the business

28 August 2026

Barry Potter and his family attended their first BP Fairs event following the sale of the business to Warners Group.

img_12-1.jpg

The traditional toys in demand today among 'connoisseur collectors'

28 August 2026

Huge collection concentrates on a world before mass producing

img_14-4.jpg

Britains toy soldier demand? All down to Deetail

28 August 2026

A remarkable result for an unboxed group of plastic figures could be due to a ‘holy grail’ withdrawn set

img_15-6.jpg

William and Mary carved wooden doll exceeds expectations in Kent

28 August 2026

Despite a repainted face, and the arms and legs not being original, this William and Mary c.1690 English carved wooden doll still impressed a buyer enough for them to win her at a hammer price of £4600.

BP Fairs

Long running toy fair under new management

12 August 2026

The founders of a successful toy fair have stepped down after 46 years.

img_18-7.jpg

Bing steam loco branded for the British market satisfies the sales pitch

10 July 2026

Bertoia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) did not hold back when discussing a Bing gauge 4 live steam toy locomotive with tender.

img_5-3.jpg

The most powerful man in the auction universe

03 July 2026

The He-Man film out now has struggled at the box office but the character in a smaller form amazed saleroom bidders.

img_25-2.jpg

‘Holy Grail’ Britains toy soldiers from 1893 achieve terrific price

03 July 2026

Two of the most desirable of all W Britains toy soldier sets were offered in Morphy’s (23% buyer’s premium) Toys & General Collectibles auction on June 2-3.

Dolls’ houses pictured at the specialist fair run in Cobham which is about to expand to the west of England.

Second home for dolls’ houses

26 June 2026

Dolls’ houses, these tiny homes and their teensy furniture, create passionate collectors.

img_28-2.jpg

Wave of interest as RAF Museum sells off items

12 June 2026

Unusual models brings strong demand as the RAF Museum sold off items it viewed as no longer needed

img_1-4.jpg

Charlie Watts' bird box on song at Exeter auction

29 May 2026

This 19th century gilt metal and enamel singing bird automaton that took £17,000 was among the highlights of the Charlie and Shirley Watts collection sold by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.

img_9-2.jpg

Hornby trains building up a head of steam at auction

08 May 2026

Prices for Hornby 0 Gauge clockwork railway toys have been rather flat for quite a few years now.

img_8-1.jpg

A trunk call for traditional cast lead and tinplate toys

08 May 2026

From an elephant gun team to a double-decker and general on a hobby horse, good prices are still paid for collectable toys.

img_10-2.jpg

Answering the siren’s call: tinplate police car bid to five times estimate

08 May 2026

Kosuge (Kosuge Toy Industrial Co Ltd), with the trademark KSG in a diamond, was Matsuzo Kosuge.

img_9-4.jpg

Vichy automaton bears fruit in the saleroom

08 May 2026

Gustave Vichy was born in 1839 to a Parisian watch and clock maker Antoine Michel who, along with his wife, set up the Vichy company in 1862 with the aim of building and selling clocks, mechanical objects and toys.

img_10-4.jpg

Dressed to kilt, a £15,000 Highlander

08 May 2026

The association of native American and Scottish Highlander advertising figures with tobacconists began in England and Holland in the 17th century and later spread to America.

img_8-2.jpg

Taken up a peg or two: early 19th century wooden doll makes a record

08 May 2026

An early 19th century wooden peg doll featuring the original costume of a straw bonnet and cream silk dress with a mother of pearl belt, and red leather shoes, has sold for £3000 to a UK collector.

Categories

News