The Rob Freeman Matchbox Superfast Collection auction took place at Vectis, the collectable toy specialists on the 12th and 13th June. The auction included nearly 1500 Matchbox items including a No.6A Ford Pick-up with red body and very rare unpainted base in Mint condition with Near Mint type G box, a No.14A Iso Grifo with metallic dark blue body and very rare white interior. The sale was eagerly anticipated by Matchbox collectors the world over.

 

The Rob Freeman Matchbox Superfast Collection Review

 

Day one of the Rob Freeman sale began with a flurry of activity on the telephones and Internet, coupled with a high level of commission bids and determined room bidders it proved a good start to the proceedings.

 

With a number of rare and interesting models in this sale it stands to reason that the most sought after items commanded high bids.

 

Lot 114 a No.6A Ford Pick-up with red body and very rare unpainted base in Mint condition with Near Mint type G box reached £672 from a £80-£100 estimate, Whilst Lot 304 a No.14A Iso Grifo with metallic dark blue body and very rare white interior realized £1320, that’s over three times its bottom estimate.

 

The number of items which soared above their estimates thanks to some determined bidders is too many to mention, but included a Horsebox, a dragster, an 8-wheel crane, a patrol tanker, and a Formula 1 racing car, many of the items being only one of its kind known to exist.

 

Day two proved just as busy with telephone and internet bidders determined to win over the commission and room bidders, Lot 781 a No. 38B Stingeroo with metallic purple body and rare chrome handlebars doubled its £500-£600 estimate at £1200.

 

Three items which sold for over four times their upper estimate on Day 2 included a No. 51B Citreon SM with a metallic plain blue body and rare 5-spoke wheels, No.56A BMC 1800 Pininfarina with rare silver base, No.68A Porsche 910 with rare rear “Scorpion” label and No.71B Jumbo Jet preproduction issue with metallic blue frame, rare chrome handlebars in a Mint condition Type 1 box, this sold for a staggering £1920.

 

The sale was evenly split with both days fetching over £50,000 and with very few items unsold this was a popular and sought after collection.