"Help! Wat to do with Britain's find" Topic

Hi, my neighbour has inherited from an uncle his 'toybox'. It is filled with what appear to be mainly Britain's figurs of various types. They are not in mint condition as they seem to have been wargamed with when he was young.
I know next to nothing about these but enjoyed looking through the wooden box. As well as the figures were old wooden blocks used for buildings and hand made sandbags as well as a plan the owner had drawn out for making a fort.

The present owner has no use for them so would like to sell them on. I said I would help and so I'm on here trying to find some idea of where to start.

Only one item is in an original box, a George VI 1937 coronation commemorative figure.

I'm hoping to get them out and take a bunch of photos later, if the kids go to sleep easily!

I would guess there are about 100 figures including some guns (although no limbers) some cavalry, arabs (on foot and on camels) and some animals and jungle, nurses, black stretcher bearers, civilains etc etc.

Any thought on where to star muchly appreciated.

Even in a used state, they're worth something. Check out eBay's "completed items" search section to see what's been paid for similar items (make sure you set the search to Worldwide) and also go looking for more information online. These sites might at least be able to put you onto someone who can advise about values -

wbritaincollectorsclub.com
wbritain.com

You could also look at the websites of the conventional auction houses (e.g. Philips, Sothebys) to see if you can track down similar items.

I'd say it's well worth taking a bit of time to research this collection.

Good advice from Sue.

If you're going to be in London soon, stop by the Guards Toy Soldier Shop on Birdcage Walk (on the grounds of Wellington Barrracks). It's run by Lyn Kenwood, of MKL Models, who used to run the Britain Collectors Club. He'd be an invaluable resource for figuring out the value.

Both good recommendations. Consult specialists for the valuation. That reminds me; I need to write out instructions for mine, if anything should happen to me.

Allen

I am a Britains collector, single figures in good condition seem to get around £10.00 GBP on eBay currently, a lot depends on the quality of the paintjob as WB had two standards of finish.
Check out this website for more ideas on prices.
link

I sold a lot of 1970s plastic Britians figures on eBay a couple of years ago and got good prices for them -- and these were ones that had been toys that had been well played with.

You do need to a little research to make sure you put the right words in the title, so people know what you have is old stuff not the modern stuff.

also Google action results as many auction houses have specialist auctions, some sets have gone for £££££££££!

I've managed to add pictures to photobucket account, if anyone is interested in looking at them!

| tried to split them up into groups, but left them in order of how they are in the chest. Two of the artillery seem to be cheap tin toys, not sure of the manufacturer.

link

Try a specialist auction house like Vectis:

vectis.co.uk

Oh, my. Some very good things there. Get a good appraisal.

Also, get those guns checked out. You may be surprised what they will bring.

Allen

All the above suggestions re auction houses. Could also try the British Model Soldier Society, who hold IIRC fairly regular auctions of old collections.

Or you could find some children who could play with them as intended, and spread the "little wars" joy……

I would be very surprised if an auction house would be taking unboxed sets. The real money is with the boxed sets. And this is a relatively small collection.

Nevertheless, this is a real gold mine. Was the original owner a wargamer -- all those shooting Guards and Scots. All standing, no kneeling or prone as come in most sets. And so many Arabs. I see some rare Ethopians, and pre-war machine gunners. I have never seen before a "Negro" stretcher party. I do not have my reference books at work, but will be happy to name the various sets, if you wish. I have been missing a number of eBay bid wars by not going over $10 USD per unboxed figure. Some of these beauties should fetch $20-30 for the group. George in the box should go very high.

I have been collecting off and on since the early 1960's and again seriously in the past few years to obtain figures to do H.G. Wells Little Wars games. Planning a very big one at the US Historicon in 2013. Also getting boxed sets to replace those I had as a youth and shot up or re-painted.

Marc at home is all heart, but those little kids can get by with plastic figs, lead is dangerous for them, and should be used by big kids :)

Search eBay on this
Toys & Hobbies > Toy Soldiers > Pre-1970 > Lead

Let us know what happens. Put these on eBay and I am good for a 15pound bid on the shooters – per fig :)