New arrivals

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

Dave, This locomotive is splendid. Sorry for your friend. Richard

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: 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

This one arrived this morning. So, now, I have 4 different 'Panhard' with SNCF logos and one without ! :woohoo: :woohoo: :laugh: Cheers

This morning arrived this 'Berliet 1er secours' with concav hubs. No rolls and no ladder, but I got an original one on e-bay yesterday night and, with some patience, I will find the two missing parts. The disturbing thing is, once again, the tyres colour ! I know a variant with black striated tyres but not with black smooth ones. Did a member already see this item ? So long

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

Hi everyone. The covered Berliet arrived yesterday and the Fire engine Berliet, this morning :cheer: :cheer: Merry Christmas Richard