Free valuations of toys, dolls and trains at The Auction Café in Lichfield

Wednesday 22nd April 9.30am-12.30pm

A SPECIALIST in all types of modern and vintage toys is offering free valuations in Lichfield next week.

Jon Price from Richard Winterton Auctioneers will be at The Auction Café in Market Street, Lichfield, on Wednesday, April 22, from 9.30am-12.30pm and also by appointment that afternoon at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park.

The family firm deals with all manner of vintage or recent toys, dolls and model trains – from all-time classics such as LEGO and 1980s favourites including Star Wars, Masters Of The Universe and The A-Team, to icons such as Barbie, Sindy and Action Man.

Other perennials include Corgi, Dinky and Matchbox die-cast, tinplate toys, model trains and roiling stock by Hornby, Bachmann, Dapol, Wrenn and Bassett-Lowke, and unbuilt model aircraft kits by the likes of Airfix, Italeri and Frog.

A dozen sets of collectable LEGO soared to £3,630 at auction recently.

“Often labelled ‘toy of the century’, sealed boxed sets of the popular construction toy are hugely collectable for their pristine, complete condition in a market where examples are often opened, with the risk of pieces missing or damaged,” said Mr Price.

“The limited supply of sets which have been discontinued – or ‘retired’ – causes their value to increase further.

“And as with many types of collectable toys, the pangs of childhood nostalgia attached to popular franchises provides an additional emotional pull.”

LEGO highlights included a sealed, boxed Batman Batcave: The Penguin and Mr Freez set, selling at £580.

The Force was also strong with a number of Star Wars LEGO sets, also sealed and boxed, including the Trade Federation MTT, sold at £640, the Ewok Village, sold at £420; and Jabba's Sail Barge, sold at £340.

Open seven days a week, The Auction Café offers speciality coffee, tea, soft drinks, ice cream, cakes, cream teas, pastries, toasties, bagels and savoury snacks.

Free drop-in valuations of jewellery, watches, gold and silver with Midlands gemmologist Georgina Southam FIRV FGA DGA BA (Hons) take place at the café on Tuesdays between 9.30am and 3pm, with an extra session on the last Wednesday in the month during the same times.

Different specialists offer valuations most other Wednesdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Keep track of all upcoming valuations at The Auction Café here.

To book a valuation at The Lichfield Auction Centre, enquire about house clearances and large collections, or for general auction information and advice, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk and telephone 01543 251081.