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Discover a selection of models that will be on sale this week, from tomorrow, Monday, November 17, 2025, until Thursday, November 20, on our website: AUTOJAUNE COLLECTION
en vente cette semaine: Dinky Toys GB – Foden MK2 Plateau 502:902 – Dinky Toys GB – Rover 75 156 – Corgi Toys – Jaguar MK X 238 – Corgi Toys – Land Rover 109 pick up bâché avec van GS-2
I remember...
The narrow streets of downtown Copenhagen were lined with shops housing antique dealers.
You’d descend a few steps and find yourself amidst a jumble of antiques, sometimes piled directly on the floor.
I especially remember the very particular smell of these places, a mixture of wax, dampness, candles, and warmed-over coffee.
I also remember the pleasure of stepping into a warm place in winter. The lighting was generally rudimentary.
Toys were often grouped together; the dealers quickly grasped the value of grouping them. I thought of this when I saw the English fire truck from Jo Hill Co… I often came across this English toy in Scandinavia, proof that this English company knew how to export and had managed to establish itself in the Danish market despite the abundance of quality local production (Micro, Birk, NS…).
modèle en vente cette semaine : Jo Hill Co – Dennis camion pompier premier secours
I think I’ve seen more of these in Scandinavia than in Great Britain. This toy is the quintessential fire truck, with its six helmeted figures, its ladder, and its bell!
What a wonderful gift it was for children in the mid-1930s.
This toy has stood the test of time for two reasons: the quality of the die-cast lead and the individual cardboard box, which helped preserve it and prevented the various parts from getting lost.
A true example of commercial success. It must be said that the object is superb and impossible to ignore. We have a very fine example for sale.
We also have, again from Great Britain and from the same manufacturer, an original MG EX135.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Jo Hill Co – MG EX135 auto de record
In a collection focused on record-breaking cars, it has its place.
Jo Hill Co. produced it in numerous colors, and since the resale price is modest, enthusiasts can enjoy lining them up without breaking the bank.
Staying in Great Britain, among the cars designed for the speed record-breaking craze popular before World War II, the 1934 Britains Bluebird is an exceptional piece.
BRITAINS RAILTON COLECTION AUTOJAUNE
BRITAINS PETIT BLUEBIRD BRITAINS COLLECTION AUTOJAUNE
It shares its construction material, lead, with the fire truck described earlier. Durable over time.
Like the Jo Hill Co. fire truck, the box housing the toy has allowed it to stand the test of time. Britains, a world leader in the manufacture of figurines, put all its expertise into the design of this car, made in two parts. First, a highly detailed chassis. It’s a true “model” design.
Everything is there, in its proper place.
Then, another part, just like the real car, consists of a body that fits onto it. It’s not certain that this fragile object was actually used as a toy.
The child must have displayed it carefully on a shelf, especially since its high price meant it was only accessible to a wealthy clientele.
modèle en vente cette semaine :Britains – Bluebird auto de record 1934. 1400
If you prefer a “real” toy, Britains also offers a superb Fordson farm tractor. It belongs to the agricultural series from this figure manufacturer.
This is the first piece of machinery representing agricultural mechanization produced by Britains before the Second World War.
The British company has always had a wide range of toys related to the agricultural world, so popular in Great Britain, in its catalog. This Fordson is superb; it’s reproduced at 1/32 scale, the same scale as their figures.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Britains – Fordson Major tractor
Finally, also from Great Britain, and produced before the Second World War, we have a splendid Lanchester tanker truck in Esso livery from Skybird.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Skybird – Lancaster camion citerne avitailleur Essolube
modèle en vente cette semaine : Skybird – Accessoire pompe essence
Appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of the pivoting articulated arm used to fill aircraft fuel tanks. This piece, also die-cast in lead, is rare, especially complete and in such good condition.
It’s worth noting that this English manufacturer was dedicated to the world of aviation. This truck is part of a collection of special vehicles found only on airfields.
We also have some small petrol pumps. The engraving is exquisite!
ENSEMBLE SKYBIRD COLLECTION AUTOJAUNE
Across the Channel, as always!
Let’s stay in Great Britain.
After the Second World War, zamac became widespread and replaced lead in the manufacture of toy cars.
This week we have an unusual wheeled compressor from Morestone. Although reproduced at 1/32 scale, it fits perfectly in a display case showcasing construction equipment, which is usually reduced to 1/50 scale. It adds a touch of originality.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Morestone – Engin compresseur sur roues
The mobile concrete mixer truck on wheels, produced by “A Master Models,” is a rare find. It’s a 1/43 scale model.
This isn’t a copy of the Matchbox model, but a truly original creation. The included box is a real bonus. It’s finely crafted, just like the compressor described above.
modèle en vente cette semaine : master models – Engin toupie à béton 48
You can position these two accessories with the superb Douglas Duomatic equipped with a tipper body from Budgie, which is also programmed.
Many models in this English manufacturer’s catalog fall under the theme of public works. Post-war reconstruction inspired toy manufacturers. This Douglas truck has always been difficult to obtain. There is a wide disparity in scale between Budgie models. This Douglas is imposing. It is reduced to approximately 1/50 scale.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Budgie – Douglas Duomatic benne Victoria Ballast 324
The Dennis fire truck is adorable.
You probably need to have retained your childlike wonder to appreciate it, like all Timpo vehicles, for that matter. They marked a particular era, and their old-fashioned charm is fully appreciated when placed in their historical context: post-war Britain. They were once considered bargain-basement toys. The model offered here has its original paintwork. Its modest price is a significant advantage.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Timpo Toys – Dennis camion pompier premier secours
Around the same time, Brimtoys offered a beautiful series of industrial vehicles, buses, coaches, and trucks made of lithographed tinplate.
The manufacturer had a fine mastery of the material.
The lithographs are beautiful, and the tinplate used is of high quality, as are the various incorporated mechanisms (friction or wind-up mechanisms).
These toys were delivered in individual cases, a sign of a certain level of quality.
This week we have two superb buses: a single-deck bus in the colors of the “Green Line” (the London suburban bus route) and a double-decker trolleybus that operated in the northern suburbs of London.
These products are charming; it is difficult to find them in this condition. A few years later, Brimtoys would adapt to changing tastes and combine lithographed tinplate with plastic.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Brimtoys – Trolleybus deux étages Mécanique
modèle en vente cette semaine : Brimtoys – AEC bus Green Line
We finally have an extraordinary set entitled “The Crystal Car.”
The miniature is of a generic type. However, its baroque shape, which de facto links it to Great Britain, clearly identifies it as a Wolseley.
This set is heavily inspired by those produced in Germany by Wiking for Volkswagen. These were used to promote the sale of the Volkswagen, and the transparent body allowed a glimpse of the car’s inner workings.
The format of the English set is identical to that of the Wiking set. It is an original and rare piece.
modèle en vente cette semaine : GB – Wolseley berline The crystal car
Finally, also injection-molded in plastic, we have an original Commer first aid fire truck from Hong Kong.
It’s reminiscent, of course, of the one produced by Dinky Toys. However, it’s not a copy; the manufacturer Mak’s hadn’t yet dared to challenge Liverpool.
The miniature shares the same 1/50 scale as the Dinky Toys model.
It’s a beautiful piece that I appreciate. The plastic is high quality.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Maks – Commer fourgon pompier premier secours 2000
tekno
Tekno toys have been a constant presence in my professional life, and indeed in my life in general, ever since my father and I realized that to find the missing parts, we had to go and get them in person, in Scandinavia.
The world of Tekno collecting has changed dramatically in fifty years. Fakes abound and are poisoning the market. Buyers must be extra vigilant.
Even seemingly well-executed riveting doesn’t rule out the possibility of a fake.
I quickly learned that counterfeiters have mastered this assembly technique, and the same is true for Dinky Toys.
For promotional Tekno toys, the first thing to check is the presence of varnish, sometimes yellowed, around the decal. The newer decals made a few years ago are transparent and glossy.
This week, we have a fine selection of models that I guarantee are entirely original.
Modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Scania 76 semi citerne Koppartrans 447
The Scania 76 semi-trailer Koppartrans is a rare model.
Tekno created this version specifically for the Swedish market. This very popular tanker truck was only available in that country. The superb color scheme, gold and silver, is a feast for the eyes. This is precisely where the charm of these Tekno trucks lies.
A line of several Tekno tanker semi-trailers is a magnificent sight.
This is also why they are popular in Italy, where color combinations have always been appreciated.
The Volvo N88 in Shell livery is more interesting than it first appears. It dates from the period when Shell abandoned red and chose solid yellow to convey its image. The Shell lettering is early, with sans-serif fonts. It still has zamac tank caps and silver-painted rims.
Later they will be made of raw zamac. It’s a small detail, but one worth appreciating, like the tank caps that will later be made of plastic.
It’s a beautiful, affordable product. In this respect, it follows a general trend that has seen the prices of these Tekno products drop, sometimes significantly.
modèle en vente cette semaine :Tekno – Volvo N88 semi citerne Shell 434
The Volvo semi-trailer with its metal roof, painted in “Brdr Rosendahl” livery, is superb.
It’s hard to resist.
I also appreciate the color combination: the trailer’s roof and the white band around the trailer, which is painted sky blue.
I can say the same about the Volvo N88 with its canvas cover, painted in Titan livery. The harmony of the two shades of green is subtle and original.
Like the “Brdr Rosendahl,” it’s not a rare version. They’re simply beautiful.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 semi fourgon Brdr Rosendahl 434
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 bâché Titan 438
We also have a Volvo N88 dropside truck with a canvas cover, painted in the colors of the “Kob Kaffe” coffee brand. The color combination is more classic, but its early rims, separate headlights, and chromed steel grille emblem are details that attest to the product’s quality.
The thick, glossy paint finish has also contributed to this model’s enduring popularity with enthusiasts.
Finally, perhaps one needs to be a more discerning collector to appreciate it, we have a rare Volvo N88 dropside truck. Its appeal lies in the color combination: the fenders match the cab.
Forty years ago, I amused myself by collecting all the color combinations for this very classic truck and found 15!
These combinations shed light on Tekno’s production methods.
These trucks are made by assembling surplus parts from promotional orders or orders placed for specific markets.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 Titan bâché Kob Kaffen hos Kobmanden 438
modèle en vente cette semaine : Tekno – Volvo N88 Titan plateau ridelles 432
My favorite is this yellow and grey Leyland Beaver car carrier.
My absolute favorite is this yellow and gray Leyland Beaver car transporter.
I owe the identification of the truck’s make to my friend Geoff Goodson.
He showed me photos of the actual truck loaded with Land Rovers. Everyone knows how rare it is. And that’s no exaggeration.
It’s one of the rarest models ever produced in Liverpool.
Finding it with its beautiful illustrated box is a rare opportunity.
I remember a story about that box.
It took place at the Gloucester swap meet about thirty years ago. While chatting with the vendors manning one of the tables at the event—an elderly woman and her two sons—I learned they were selling off the collection of her recently deceased father. They weren’t regulars at the swap meet. After buying a few items, I picked up this rare Leyland Weaver.
The asking price was slightly below the usual market value for this type of product. One of the two sons told me it was the centerpiece of his father’s collection.
I replied that I was only looking for the box, as I already had the truck in mint condition. He looked me straight in the eye and said he could sell me the box because his father had once acquired an empty one that had remained at their house.
modèle en vente cette semaine : Dinky Toys GB – Leyland Beaver porte autos Auto Transporters 989
He then asked me to make him an offer.
I think I remember offering him 800 pounds…that truck was worth over 3,000 pounds boxed at the time.
“Deal,” he said, and handed me the precious box.
The mother was stunned by the price offered for that piece of cardboard.
A month later, I saw the family again at the NEC in Birmingham. When the mother spotted me, she couldn’t help but call out to me, laughing. “The man with the golden box!”
I also remember that the truck had been fitted into the second box.
I thought of that when I saw the one that’s for sale. Don’t make us an offer for the box, we only have one!
Vincent Espinasse
also on sale this week
