Ron Jobson was the illustrator of the Matchbox 1-75 series boxes in 1967 and also illustrated many propaganda posters during the Second World War. The October sale featured a large Matchbox collection and attracted collectors from all over the country, many travelling down for Jobson’s Matchbox lots in particular (lots 595 – 601) which each featured a selection of boxed Superfast models, one of these boxes having been signed by Jobson himself and several including rare model variations. Despite the Matchbox collectors loud exclamations that the models were ‘not really worth anything at all’ - which coming out of the mouths of avid collectors literally translates in to ‘I really want these models and must put everyone else off’ – the bidding war that broke out told a different story, with four of the lots reaching over £1000, the top price reaching £1800 (lot 601)! Jobson’s watercolours and illustrations also fetched some high prices, with his charcoal drawing of a World War Two combat scene fetching a well-deserved £380. See our other blog entry about Ron Jobson and his watercolours.
LOT 601 - Sold for £1800 plus Buyer's Premium
Aside from the Matchbox, we had some fantastic die-casts in this month including a Corgi Toys Silverstone Gift Set 15 (lot 556) which was near complete and in very good condition, and which sold for £550. We also had a Carrimore Car Transporter Gift Set 28 (lot 555) which fetched a whopping £600, and an Ecurie Ecosse Car Transporter Gift Set (lot 16) which sold for £400. (You see there really was no need for the die-cast collector’s to get excited at all...!)
With only 50 models believed to be produced we were very lucky to see a Shackleton David Brown Bulldozer in our auction for the second time this year! (lot 42) The rarity of the model accounted for the awe-stricken faces of several gentlemen when they realised they had another chance to purchase one of these fantastic models. The last one we sold in March made £2000 and although the condition of the box wasn’t great this example still sold for £1,400.
LOT 42 - Sold for £1400 plus Buyer's Premium
From tractors to sports cars…the automobilia section saw some fantastic lots including two original framed David Brown Aston Martin posters (lots 486 and 487) which sold collectively for £300. We also had a selection of car catalogues from the 1950’s and ’60s (lot 716) featuring such classics as the Sunbeam Alpine and the Morris Mini Minor, which sold for £380.
LOT 716 - Sold for £380
By Nell Hilditch (Auctioneer)
