Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week from tomorrow Monday September 22, 2025 until Thursday September 25 on our website AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys GB – Bedford S camion avec mat extensible BBC 969 – Dinky Toys GB – Karrier fourgon retransmission BBC 967 – Dinky Toys France – Simca 1000 519 – Dinky Toys France – Simca 1500 523 –
I remember...
…of my meeting with Steve Butler in the United States. I had discovered his books on “Tootsietoys” and “Hubley” toys, then the one on “Promos.” However, it was his monthly articles in “Antique Toys World,” a magazine published by the organizer of the Chicago toy fair, that prompted me to write to him. It was after reading an article on Cam Cast Toys, which I particularly enjoyed, that I decided to take up my pen. There was no internet yet. He always included his contact information at the end of the article, next to his signature. He used his immense collection to share his stories, his knowledge, and his anecdotes.
His articles were lively and rich in information. I regularly clipped and classified them. Unable to store all these magazines, I created files in anticipation of the day when… I would retire and be able to reorganize all this information. That was thirty years ago. I’ve been patient, and I’m finally getting there.
This man often inspired me to write the blog and then the newsletter, as well as Jacques Potherat’s weekly posts in France, in the aptly named “Vie de l’Auto.” Steve Butler was a collector but also a dealer. He drew on his shop windows and took advantage of the media to present the toys he was going to put up for sale, in the short or medium term. I don’t think there was any calculation on his part. He put the same energy into presenting modest plastic Renwalls and their (rarer) zamac derivatives as he did extremely rare “Promos” from the 1930s.
He knew how to communicate his interest and enthusiasm, and this made collectors want to acquire his products. I remember understanding the value of “rubber” models by reading his articles. Later, the two books produced by Dave Leopard would provide excellent additional information.
I thought of this when I saw the beautiful “rubber” products on offer this week. They gave me a hard time. I placed them in the 90s, mirroring French productions in plastiline (also called “plaster and flour”).
modèle en vente cette semaine : Usa – Plymouth berline 1937 Best Buy of all three
They are contemporary, sharing a common scale of reproduction and a single-piece design. You can compare a Peugeot 402 from JRD and a Chrysler Airflow in “Rubber” or a Citroën Traction from JRD and a splendid 1937 Plymouth made by a company whose name has not been preserved in history, based in Akron, the American capital of rubber processing (Firestone factories, etc.).
The model was made for this American manufacturer and distributed as a gift in Plymouth dealerships. Note the presence of the slogan designed for the model’s launch. This reminds us of the inscription on the roof of the Peugeot 201 and 301 “independent front wheels,” designed for the Sochaux-based manufacturer by the AR firm.
There will be three versions of this Plymouth, corresponding to three different vintages.
Proof that the toy must have enjoyed a certain success with customers, enough to encourage Plymouth to continue.
At this same time, the mid-1930s, other car manufacturers went further by approaching the Chicago-based firm National Products to design the same type of promotional product, but in “slush” (injected lead) and slightly larger. This was followed by an exciting period, interrupted by the war, during which car manufacturers competed fiercely to offer the offspring of potential buyers a faithful and attractive miniature reproduction of the family car. The idea was taken up after the war in Europe by… Volkswagen, with Wiking in charge of production.
Modèle en vente cette semaine : Rainbow Rubber – Studebaker camion ridelles
We have two other interesting rubber models, of course, dating from the same period.
The Studebaker truck from Rainbow Rubber is superb. Appreciate the very fine engraving of the engine hood vents. Note the hanging chain engraved on the rear of the model, and the realistic treatment of the wheels, with their dimples and chrome hubcaps.
The Seiberling Ford V8 also deserves your attention. This Ford is a great classic. At the time, Ford was still at the peak of global production. Rubber enthusiasts can purchase promotional versions intended not to promote the car manufacturer, Ford in this case, but rather events such as World’s Fairs or local auto shows.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Seiberling – Ford V8 berline’35
These miniatures serve as souvenirs, and this is the word used on the boxes in which they are sold to visitors. I have a weakness for these promotional items, which will have a short existence. Here too, the war will put an end to this series.
This material gradually declined in importance in the toy industry before making a strong comeback in Norway at Tomte in the late 1950s, in a derivative form for use as an “early childhood toy.” It enjoyed worldwide success well into the 1980s.
Collection AutoJaune -Ford 36 souvenir Cleveland Ohio exposition 1936
Collection AutoJaune Firestone Mercury 39 souvenir San Francisco 1939
Collection AutoJaune Ford 36 souvenir Firestone
Collection AutoJaune Ford 35 exposition california pacific 35
Delightfull Italy
Fifty years ago, collectors were left to their own devices and their own experience to determine the rarity of a model.
Books were primarily used to reference production. Discussions at swap meets with other, more experienced enthusiasts, or with long-established dealers, provided the foundation for learning. These were the tools I had at my disposal to embark on the adventure of collecting.
I remember that the boxes in my notebook intended to reference the colors of Spot On models were slowly filling up for the Austin Seven, when they didn’t remain stubbornly empty.
I remember one Saturday, at the Vernaison flea market in Saint Ouen, I found a beautiful Austin Seven “Mini” at Gilles Scherpereel’s for the price of a classic Spot On. I had understood that this miniature rarely came up for sale and in the box that the merchant had handed me I had immediately spotted it, it was the one that I had selected first.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Austin Seven 211 rouge
Over the years, the auction results for this miniature have confirmed the rarity of the object, a rarity that I had detected thanks to the checks in my notebook. We have a splendid example for sale, in a light red color. I admit that I positioned the model next to mine to try to find a shade. In vain. I appreciate this model which gave me a hard time and I try to collect as many colors as possible. It is a kind of challenge. Please note that there is a variation. The chassis can be painted light gray like a large part of the other Spot On, or painted in the color of the bodywork. The very thick chassis serves as a rocker panel. To hide this curious feature, Spot On then painted it in the color of the bodywork. On the model offered it is gray and you can see it without turning the miniature over.
Modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Mulliner car de voyage 156
Modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Routemaster bus londonien 145
At this same time, forty years ago, people only had eyes for this brand’s spectacular trucks. The unity of scale reproduction, along with the cars, accessories, and buildings, gave them an impressive dimension.
This trend has passed. The price of Spot On utility vehicles has dropped significantly. I think it’s time to take an interest in them. Spot On trucks are rare. Even when they were found in toy stores, the price had hampered their distribution. This week we have a beautiful set including the majestic Routemaster (at 1:42 scale, it’s impressive) and the rare Mulliner coach. Its twisted shapes make it stand out. The design of the panoramic roof must have posed many problems for its creator at Spot On.
The Ford Thames carrying a buildable garage has always been a sought-after piece. I appreciate the size of the box containing the set which should have been a first-rate gift, for a birthday or for Christmas.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Ford Thames tracteur avec remorque port garage 111A:0G
modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Bedford Army Field Ktichen 417
The military version of the Bedford ice cream vendor is daring. It must be put into context. Corgi Toys was the first to give many models in its range a second life, by releasing them in a military version. The Corgi Toys Commer ice cream vendor Wall’s underwent this transformation. This must have eased the Spot On design office’s inhibitions, especially since business for the Irish brand was far from flourishing at the time. This model is rare, especially with its box.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Spot On – Ford Thames tracteur avec remorque port garage 111A:0G
A final word on one of the many Spot Ons programmed, notably the Austin 1800 with its boat on the pavilion and its character. We feel the influence of Corgi Toys. At this time it was Swansea who innovated and the others who followed. I like this model and Spot On dared to position a boat of good size which makes the whole credible. The fragility of the display boxes is a real obsession of the Spot On collector. Finding them in good condition is a feat.
Delightfull italy
Let’s stick with rare pieces. This week, several Politoys can be given this name. The first is Rita Pavone’s Jaguar. The latter is an iconic Italian singer who enjoyed great success on the other side of the Alps. The interest of the proposed model is the presence of the luxurious box. There’s no doubt about it; seeing the box, you understand that the product is of Italian origin. I appreciate the art that the Italians have of assembling colors to give the product a particular cachet; they offer us here a glamorous box. It’s superb. It’s an original. Be careful, many fakes are circulating. They were initially sold as reproductions, but they can then fall into the hands of unscrupulous people attracted by a quick and easy profit. That’s the whole danger of reproductions. I’m against it as long as it’s not clearly indicated.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Politoys – Jaguar Type E Rita Pavone (Fibre Glass) 89
We have two superb Romeo 2° models, including a van in Politoys livery that rarely comes up for sale with its livery. I recently discovered that it had to be applied…which explains why it’s often missing. I have a weakness for Politoys utility vehicles from the plastic series. This vehicle was the only one reproduced at this scale at the time. The many variations form a beautiful ensemble that immerses us in the Italian roadscape of the 1960s. We also have the tow truck.
Appreciate the color harmony of the blue decal on the doors of the bright orange tow truck.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Politoys – Romeo 2° pick up dépanneuse 303
modèle en vente cette semaine : Politoys – Romeo 2° fourgon tôlé Policar centro assistenza technica 301
The Volkswagen 1200 ’63 is a rarity. For a long time, I thought it was a listing error. This model is at the end of the plastic model adventure. This model was soon added to the Fiber Glass series (painted plastic body and Fiber Glass-engraved zamac chassis). This is the version I was familiar with.
It is already rare.
This Fiber Glass series represents an upgrade for Politoys. Seeing the rising national standard of living, the Milanese company understood that customers could now purchase more luxurious and therefore more expensive products. Politoys, which shares similarities with Norev, understood this much more quickly than the Villeurbanne company. The Volkswagen in the program is indeed an injected plastic model, unpainted, with a chassis engraved only with Politoys, without any mention of Fiber Glass. The presence of the box is a real plus and confirms its affiliation with the Politoys range and not the later Fiber Glass range.
These come in window boxes and are finished in stunning metallic shades, making you forget they’re made of plastic.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Politoys – Volkswagen 1200’63 84
My favorite is these two Sikus made in Hungary.
My favorite are these two Siku models made in Hungary. We know that Siku molds have traveled. I’m very attracted to the fantastic plastic models produced in Iran in the late 1960s.
Voir les blogs (les coffrets de l’ambassadeur, Siku à la sauce persane).
Minicar Coffrets – Collection Autojaune extrait du blog SIKU A LA SAUCE PERSANE à lire ICI
Siku has also relocated to Brazil.
This week we have two Ford Transits from the zamac series from Hungary.
The first interest is the color of the products, which is different from that of the models designed in Germany.
The second is the engraving on the chassis, proving that the model was indeed made in Hungary.
Finally, the specific box adds to the pleasure of purchasing them. The box is generic to the models in the range, and a stamp indicates the model present.
These products are difficult to obtain.
modèles en vente cette semaine : Siku Metchy – Ford Tranzit bus V334
modèle en vente cette semaine : Siku Metchy – Ford Tranzit bus V334 Bleu
Vincent Espinasse
also on sale this week
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