Toy soldiers lead charge at Cuttlestones’ collectors’ sale
The final Cuttlestones Specialist Collectors’ Sale of 2015 took place at Wolverhampton Auction Rooms earlier this month – with toy soldiers, military medals, photographs, and postcards producing some of the day’s highlights.
The sale got off to a strong start, with the Militaria section featuring a number of rare and interesting medals which brought collectors out in force. In particular, lot 27: a George V military medal (MM) caused a stir amongst those bidding online and in the room, with the hammer eventually falling at £1,410. This, together with lot 25: a WWI military medal group of four which sold for £940, and a number of other high sellers, saw the medals featured on the day raise a combined total of £3,630.75.
Following the military theme, a collection of lead toy soldiers split across over some 90 lots were the surprise success of the day. The extensive private collection offered both boxed and unboxed examples and, with the majority by leading manufacturer Britains, triggered significant interest from collectors both in the room, online and on the phones. With the entire collection achieving a total of £5,805.68 particular highlights included Lot 360: a Britain’s boxed set (No. 9419) Royal Horse Artillery Gun and team which sold for £176.25; Lot 382: two unopened Britain’s boxed sets featuring The Coldstream Regiment of foot guards field music, in outer card cover, achieved £117.50. A second batch of lead figures from the same collection will come under the hammer at Cuttlestones’ Weds 2nd December auction.
The highest grossing single lot of the day was number 297: A large 19th century photograph album of ‘A Grand Tour of the East Coast of Ameria and Canada’ dated in pencil 1874-7 by Hope Edwards. Prior to sale, there had been much interest in the form of condition report and high-res photo requests from potential buyers, and the eventual outcome certainly did not disappoint as the album went to an internet bidder for £2,232.50.
Also of interest to collectors in the days leading up to auction was a large collection of mainly early 20th century postcards, divided into several lots and featuring local interest types from across the West Midlands. Bidding for the postcards reached frantic levels, with much activity coming via the internet. In total, the lots raised a combined £1,838.88, with the majority going to a local collector.
Elsewhere, lot 236: A collection of Wolverhampton Wanderers interest postcards, early to mid 20th century made £493.50, and lot 263: An interesting collection of fiscal documents sold for £528.75.