Sold for 7s (say £7 in today’s money) when they were made in 1962, standard versions of these models would normally go for around £20 to £30 at auction.
“These were rather different,” explained Vectis Dublo expert Julian Rowse, “because they were for export and the boxes were complete with export labels and numbers.”
As a result, the tankers sold at £600. “In effect,” said Mr Royse, “the collector paid several hundred pounds for the cardboard boxes.”
Another rare marking accounted for the record £1400 which secured a mint and boxed 0 gauge Exley K6 travelling post office from the 1930s or ’40s.
“You quite often see these in LMS maroon livery,” said 0 gauge expert David Nathan. “But this was the first I’ve ever seen in LNER teak livery.”
Boxcar silly! Export package drives up prices
THERE is no getting away from the appeal of railways which were a major feature in one of two Midlands toy sales in June. The June 18 sale in Rugby held by toys specialists Vectis (15% buyer’s premium) set two modest records among a collection of Hornby items starting with a mint and boxed group of four 00 gauge petrol tankers.