Insight 250,000 Figure Auction one of the things I was able to do at PW was talk to someone who was at the auction. That person was John Begg. John attended the show itself. He said that there three people bidding from aboard. They were from Italy, Netherlands and United States.
John was not impressed in the quality of the figures. He felt the figures were mostly from the 70’s. The late owner was not known by Plastic Warrior. The person was sort of a recluse due to a health issue. Items went for 30% higher than the estimate. John only got some planes and scenary. He did not feel there was 250,00 figures in the collection.
The boxes were so full it was hard to inspected them totally.
There a lot collectors in this hobby that don’t go shows., don’t talk at blogs and else, some have huge collection and money a lot plus travel around for years.
I know two of then in person and surprise in their huge collection so varied .
Others are rich people with not touch in our groups yet they collect plasti figures a lot.
Even if half 250 000 figures were in that collection they sold way low x werever he had pay before in life.
Those that got the deal will give better use than those did not.
My thoughts.
Best
This particular auctioneer has a reputation for talking up collections, in particular their size in order to grab press headlines, they were certainly successful on this occasion. They also claim to be a “specialist in the field of toys” and they may well be but not in the field of toy soldiers as anyone who read through the descriptions in their catalogue can testify.
If you consider they offered less than 300 lots, a third of which did not contain 54mm plastic soldiers, and those that did averaged between 100/300 figures then it’s still a big collection but way short of 250,000.
I’ve spoken to several people who attended the auction and the general consensus is that most lots sold to the internet, the initial estimates were way too low, that the majority of figures were common Britains Deetail and there were probably no more than 30,000 figures. The auctioneer says the collection raised $50,000, that’s £37,000 – given that Deetail figures are currently selling at shows in the UK for £3 each they should have raised a lot more, you do the maths.
I agree with you Brian that it was hyped.
So far in photos the auction show huge amounts of armor, vehicles, planes, buildings and else.All of which if included in the 50.000 sale price would be very under valued…
Would this auctions taked to shows or ebay within a year or two would had sale far more high easy .
My thoughts