An exceptional single-owner model railway collection has achieved more than £30,000 at auction – and part two of the collection is coming up in July.
The collection, developed over a lifetime by the late Derek Davidge, was so large it had to be split across two sales. Part one of the Davidge Collection, 400 lots of various model railway items covering 100 years of 0 and 00 gauge items, went under the hammer on June 23 – and every single lot sold.
David Wilson-Turner, head of Hansons’ Toy and Railwayana Department, said: “It was a white-glove sale thanks to the exceptional quality of the lots. We expected a lot of interest due to the strength of the model railway market, and we were blown away as more than 100 bidders battled it out to secure a piece of this fantastic lifetime collection.
“Nothing was left at the station, as every lot sold and found itself a new home, raising over £30,000 in the process. From Hornby to Bassett Lowke, including limited-edition releases, clockwork, electric, two-rail and three-rail locomotives, it had it all.
Star items included lot 292, a boxed ACE Trains, O Gauge, BR Class 9F Class A1, Evening Star 92220, locomotive and tender, which achieved £400, and lot 290, a boxed Ace Trains, O Gauge, 4-6-2 ‘Bulleid Pacific’, Spitfire 34066, locomotive and tender, £390
Other top sellers included lot 175, a boxed Bachmann, OO Gauge, Midland Pullman 6 Car DMU Set, Nanking Blue, 31-255, DCC, £300; lot 135, a boxed Hornby Live Steam, Limited Edition 733/1000, OO Gauge, LNER 4-6-2 Class A3, Flying Scotsman, locomotive and double-tender, R2566, £360, and lot 291, a boxed Ace Trains, O Gauge, BR 2-6-4 Tank Locomotive, 42546, £320
Derek Davidge’s passion for trains began in childhood. He continued to expand his layouts and collection up to his passing in 2021.
A lifelong steam and model railway enthusiast from Bristol, his wish was for the collection to be sold for others to extract some of the pleasure from its contents that he had.
Other than a handful of sentimental items kept for his grandchildren, this represents the complete collection he accumulated in that time.
Part 2 of the collection, which includes large amounts of boxed rolling stock, coaches and more, will be offered in a Specialist Toy Auction on July 21.
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk and www.the-saleroom.com
To arrange a free valuation of railwayana or toys, email David Wilson-Turner: [email protected].
