20/08/2020
The collection from the estate of Leicester-based Kenneth ‘Mike’ Abbott resulted in 100% of 229 lots sold, with only 7 lots selling below their pre-sale estimate. The final sale total was £132k against a pre-sale bottom estimate of £70k. The proceeds of the sale will benefit the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway in mid-Wales, as was Mike's bequest.
There was fierce competition from railway enthusiasts bidding online, on the phone, and through absentee bidding to secure coveted pre-built and kit-built locomotives made by leading model train companies such as Accucraft, Roundhouse, Finescale Engineering Co., Bachmann, Aster, Hornby and many others.
“We are thrilled with the success of this sale, not least because the proceeds will benefit a much-loved light railway that relies on public support and has faced increased financial challenges due to its closure during the pandemic,” says Andrew Smith, Gildings’ in-house railway expert. “It is rare for a collection of this size and scope to come up at auction, so although we knew there was a lot of interest in the sale, even we were surprised by the high levels of bidding we saw on the day.”
Although results were high across the board, standout results included a live steam 45mm gauge locomotive by Roundhouse, Vale of Rheidol 'Owain Glyndwr' 2-6-2 tank which sold for £2,800 plus premiums, nine times over its estimate of £300 - £500. Garden-scale locomotives were in strong demand with a scale replica of the Metropolitan line locomotive, named ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (seen here on display with Mike), selling for £3,600 plus charges, two and a half times estimate. And a Maxitrak live steam 3inch scale Aveling & Porter road roller selling for £5,500 plus charges, just over the top estimate of £5,000.
“These high sale prices are a testament both to the value of Mike Abbott’s extensive and lovingly-preserved collection and the lengths serious collectors will go to in order to own these covetable items, says Andrew Smith. “It is gratifying to know that not only will the money raised benefit the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway in line with Mike’s wishes, the items in his collection will now begin a new lease of life with new owners who will appreciate and care for them as he did.”
The full results can be viewed here: Abbott Train Collection Results
Entries are invited for our next offering of scale Model Railways as the market shows no sign of diminishing during the global pandemic. Contact our specialist Andrew Smith for a COVID-secure valuation on andrew.smith@gildings.co.uk or call 01858 410414 to discuss your collection.
