For model collectors, the internet has proved a treasure trove of opportunity. While it’s still a huge pleasure to haunt swapmeets, collector fairs and so on, online auctions offer an extra dimension of mouthwatering collectibles.
Here we feature just two samples from current auctions provided by The Saleroom, which sends a click-thru pot-pourri of sales via email regularly.
The Bing live-steam locomotive is in big Gauge 1 (about 1:32) scale, and is a true antique, dating from somewhere between 1906-1912. It’s hardly cheap, at a guide price of £8-10,000 GBP ($13-16,400 USD), but as the old saying goes, “They’re not making them like that any more”. So it just has to be a top-class investment, as well as a thing of beauty and hugely desirable. On top of all that, it’s still in working order!
Incidentally, the German Bing company was mega when this locomotive was made - in 1905 Bing had the biggest toy factory in the world.
The Corgi Chipperfield Circus diecast collection is easier on the pocket, with a guide price of £400-600 GBP ($655-983 USD) and is also highly desirable, especially as the showcase is included.
You can visit The Saleroom here. Once registered, you can receive heads-up emails on a host of auctions around the world.