Collections prove there is cash in attics
Collections of toys, stamps and banknotes proved there really is cash to be found in those attics, when they went under the hammer at an auction in the Cotswolds last week.
The top price of the day was made by a large collection of toy cars from the 1970s and 80s, which sold for 17 times its lower estimate of £40 to £60 at Moore Allen & Innocent's general and antiques sale on Friday, July 23.
Although it broke many of the rules of collecting - the cars by Matchbox, Palitoy, Solido and Mercury were unboxed and produced fairly recently - the sheer number of items in the lot - 109 in total - ensured a hammer price of £700.
Also in the extensive toy section, smaller numbers of older, rarer cars made more per unit. Among the best was a 1936 Speed of the Wind and a Gardners MG Record Car, of similar vintage, which together achieved £45, and a set of four 1963 Dinky racing cars featuring a Cooper, Lotus, Ferrari and BRM, which made £38.
Meanwhile, a WG Hughes magic lantern with dozens of complete sets among the 1,000 slides - including Nursery Rhymes, British History, The Mouse Hunt and Puss in Boots - achieved £330.
Elsewhere, a large collection of world, Commonwealth and UK stamps - including examples from emerging markets like China and Hong Kong - made £460, while a large collection of stamps, including many from South Africa, made £400.
Foreign coins and banknotes - many from countries that have changed their name, like Ceylon - also proved their worth on the day, a large collection selling for £360.
Auctioneer Philip Allwood said: "With toys, stamps and coins and banknotes performing well at auction, now would seem to be a good time to check the attic for unwanted collections, which could make their owners a good deal of cash."
 |
| Speed of the Wind and Gardners MG Record Car |
 |
| Set of four Dinky racing cars |