Dinky toy collection fetches £146k at auction

A 995-piece Dinky toy collection, gathered by a private collector over 50 years, has fetched more than £146,400 at auction.

The die-cast metal vehicles dating back to 1934 were the brainchild of miniature train maker Frank Hornby and are now among the most valuable and collectable nostalgic toys and models.

Vectis Auctions in Stockton-on-Tees said the collection sold this week included pre-war models including a cream and maroon double-decker bus which sold for £4,655, with the buyer's premium.

Andrew Reed, from the auctioneers, said the sale far exceeded their expectation of £100,000.

Vectis said there had been "competitive bidding" for a number of "exceptionally rare" Dinky Foden wagons and trucks.

A red 501 Foden (Type 1) diesel wagon was expected to sell for between £120 to £140 but fetched £4,655.

Meanwhile, a burnt orange Foden (Type 2) flat truck with a tailboard, expected to sell for between £700 and £900, went for £4,165.

Both prices included the buyer's premium.

About 1,000 different Dinky models were created and production continued until 1980, with a break during World War Two.

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