Collection to be auctioned by Vectis on Thursday 4th May will be a sale of International importance to Britain’s collectors around the World. Featuring over 650 quality lots, the sale includes many [boxed examples] of, early [pre 1905], rare and unlisted variants of Britain’s military sets and “Paris Office” examples. Contained in the “early” category are: boxed 1893 versions of the Lifeguards and The Royal Horse Guards in addition to 1894 boxed versions of; 5th Dragoon Guards, Somerset Light Infantry and a 2nd Edition Lifeguard set, all are expected to reach four figure sale prices.

Amongst the ultra rare and unlisted [sets not officially listed in the Britain’s catalogue] examples to be found in the Collection include: a 1909 [Boer War] RASC set with wagons made by Britain’s for the wholesale firm of C.F. Eckhard, this is expected to achieve in excess of £3500, an 1897 [Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee] Lifeguards set, estimated at £5000 and two Royal Marine Colour Party sets produced exclusively for the London Toy Retailer, Hamley’s. These sets were only in production for a few months in 1940 before all Britain’s output was converted for War production. Each is expected to fetch in excess of £1100.

Lot 597 Britains – for C.F. Eckhardt – Army Service Corps Supply Wagons and Escort

The Collection also features: boxed sets of – Dr Jameson’s Raid [1896], Soldiers that Shoot [1895]. 33 x different “Famous Regiment’s” Sets [1938], Indian Mountain Artillery in both Khaki [1940] and Review Order [1947] and a number of Horse Drawn Vehicles with Crews in Active Service Dress with Steel Helmets [1939-40 only].

The final section in the Catalogue will be devoted to the output of Britain’s “Paris Office” figures, these were produced in Paris from around 1909 to 1921 and feature mainly French Army and Navy types or French versions of mainstream Britain’s UK sets. This section of the Sale will feature: 2 x French Gun Teams [a similar one being sold by Vectis in 2005 reached in excess of £6000], a French Naval Landing Party, Spanish Dragoons [boxed] and a set of 5th Dragoon Guards amongst others. This selection being [probably] the largest single sale of “Paris Office” figures offered for sale in the last 10 years or so.

The Catalogue for the sale will be a “special edition” version featuring high resolution colour images of every lot in a picture/text format presented in [Britain’s] set order. It is likely that this will become a collectible its own right as a primary reference source for Britain’s collectors Worldwide.

The message [should you happen to be a collector of Britain’s] is therefore loud and clear: mark May 4th in your diary, a collection of this quality is unlikely to appear on the market for many years to come. Miss it at your peril!

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