Last year I worked closely with a close friend, Graham de Chastelaine, to produce a book on Bassett-Lowke 0 Gauge Locomotives which has now sold out. As a result of what I learned during that process I then wrote, and published, my book on Dinky Toys which contained models from both my collection and Graham's, this book has also now nearly sold out. Sadly I lost a great and dear friend when Graham died earlier this year as a result of cancer.

On Saturday 22nd November 2014 Graham's train collection was auctioned in Rugby and was probably one of the most significant auctions of these two marques ever to take place in the UK.

I was fortunate to purchase a locomotive from this auction, and whilst I know this photograph is off-topic for this forum it does represents an example of the finest engineering work to come out of our beloved Liverpool factory.

It was manufactured between 1934 and 1938 so it is very possible that this could have been made in the very same year that the Dinky Toys were first made.

Dave

Thanks Richard

I guess an awful lot of us are now at an age where we are going to loose friends, it's something we can't really change.

That is why we have to enjoy our hobby to the full.

Dave

buzzer999 wrote:
"Thanks Richard

I guess an awful lot of us are now at an age where we are going to loose friends, it's something we can't really change.

That is why we have to enjoy our hobby to the full.

Dave"

Dave

Very sorry to hear of the loss of one of your good friends. Had I known of your connection with Graham de Chastelaine, I would have relented and lodged a bid on that auction, as there were two items that were particularly appealing, now made more so with your connection. I guess we are all, or most of us are in the twilight years of our lives. I my case I guess I can also see the distant sunset!

How much is your book, and what would be the cost to mail it to Oz?

Bruce

Bruce

Full details of my book are on my website:

http://www.dinky-toys-books.co.uk

The postal charge for Oz is what it costs me, sadly I can't change that.

Dave

This locomotive is great, Dave, it looks so perfect, exactly the critical way you told me Graham de Chastelaine collected them only. No doubt the many perfect boxes you showed the other day were also (part of) his collection of Dinky Toys.

In the mean time I found a partner for my no. 105 Triumph Sports in touring finish, the - yes, horrible - pink one, no. 111 in competition finish. Although not my first choice, I simply had to surrender for the lowest price I have even seen for such a near mint boxed example. And I must confess that it's a charming model, having it in hands now. Less than one month ago I had no Triumph like these at all in my collection, and now I have both of them! Very happy ...

Kind regards, Jan

Greetings from Down Under!

Arrived last Friday was my first winning bids from Bonington's in Essex, one lot of which I was particularly pleased was for a 182 Porsche 356A in red with spun hubs, very slightly chipped and in its original box.

Contrary to what Ramsay's Catalogue states, this model has a gloss base plate to go with its SPUN HUBS.

Kind regards

Bruce

Hi Bruce,
That's a real beauty! Still on my wants list.....
Chris Warr.

Thanks Chris for your very kind and most appreciated words on my red 182 Porsche 356A. When the time comes, you will be in front of the queue to acquire it if you have not already obtained one for your collection!
Actually, the following is what I wrote on 1 December in the Auction Catalogue Description regarding the Porsche, bearing in mind that I took an enormous gamble which actually paid off with this model, and a 175 Hillman Minx without the upper colour across the bottom of the windscreen. (I will be writing more on that model shortly.)
But this is what I wrote on 1 December:

The 281 was originally maroon with cream side flash and red wheels. Nothing in the "description" that stated it was a repaint. Bad.

The auction house's descriptions were woeful, so perhaps the word "descriptions" should be just "words"! I was online and noticed some items went quite cheaply. Not sure about the Porsche 182 as I think it went too cheaply at

Lovely acquisitions, both Bruce's and yours, Richard.
No doubt both Berliets are compulsory for a French Dinky collector.
My Berliet GAK camion bach

Richard
Very nice acquisitions, just in time for Christmas I might add! I especially like the Berliet Fire Truck......it is a splendid, highly detailed model......congratulations on finding such a nice one!
Regards,
Terry

Hi all,

The arrival of this set no. 5 Train and Hotel Staff made me happy!
Virtually pristine, hand painted figures never removed from the box.
Sometimes you can still find nice pre war Dinky Toys!

Kind regards,
Rob

Hi all,
Apart from the 980 I've posted in the Horse box thread I picked these up today too...

Nice MK2 Foden Tailboard.

A blue hubbed version of the Market Gardeners to go with the red hubbed version I got last year,

Chris Warr.

Hi all,

Happy New Year and I hope a happy collecting year for everybody!

Just arrived from the US, a 37a Motor Cyclist Civilian trade box with the later 041 export number stamped on the box. The box is stamped on the underside M3 54, so made in 1954. The remains of a Hudson Dobson label on the side of the box.
Nice to start the year with this rare little box!

Kind regards,
Rob

I collected this yesterday:

It has taken me 20 years to track one of these down, in the right condition and at a reasonable price.

It came from C & T Auctioneers in Kent, it was the first time I have dealt with them and everything was absolutely right - they were very professional and friendly.

Dave

August 1962 Meccano Magazine.

Well done David, this one is not seen very often.

What about a Centurion in a Visi-Pac next ?

Jacques.

I've been looking for one of those for about 10 years Jacques, Keith Harvie had one a couple of years ago but I just could not afford it.

Dave

A beautiful addition to a beautiful collection!
Congrats, Dave.
Kind regards, Jan

Well done Dave, I just saw a set on eBay for 200 Pounds! Now you have that one, maybe you could look for another with the variation as shown below. The gap between the end of the front bumper and body is filled in and by studying the sets that have turned up on eBay, this seems the usual variation not the open ended bumpers.

Then there is the last version of the 689 with plastic hubs and driver:

Ron

I like the photograph of the 689 with plastic hubs. I note that by this stage, Meccano was starting to experience difficulties in ejecting the casting from the mould as evidenced by the cross-hatching on the inside roof of this model! Your photograph deserves a place in the Interior Cross-Hatching thread!! This can be found on about Page 7 of this forum.

Kind regards

Bruce

Bruce,

Do you mean that some 689 have a smooth ceiling ?

Both my 689s (as in the photo) have cross hatched roofs
Ron