Pre-war Dinky and Corgi diecast, Meccano sets, Britains lead soldiers, tin clockwork toys, Hornby trains, teddy bears. Individual pieces and complete collections — every item assessed for maker, model, paint condition, and original packaging.
Vintage toy values vary enormously by model and condition. We know the hierarchy and explain it in writing. Free insured postage. Written valuation per piece. Paid in 72 hours.
The vintage toy market is highly specific — a pre-war Dinky in its original yellow box is a fundamentally different object from a 1970s Matchbox car, and we assess them accordingly.
Pre-war Dinky Toys (1934–1940) in fine original paint are among the most sought-after diecast collectibles. Post-war Dinky supertoys, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles in original yellow or later boxes are actively traded. Pre-war aeroplanes and ships are particularly rare. We assess casting, paint condition, and any original box.
Early Corgi Toys from the late 1950s and 1960s — particularly the first James Bond Aston Martin, early TV and film tie-in models, and Gift Sets with original display boxes — are actively collected. Early Matchbox models in original boxes from the 1950s and 1960s are also sought.
Complete Meccano sets in original wooden or cardboard boxes with original instruction manuals — particularly large numbered sets from the pre-war period. Red-and-green and nickel-plated sets from the 1920s and 1930s are more sought after than later blue-and-gold or other liveries. Completeness and original instructions are critical.
Britains lead soldiers and animals in original boxed sets — complete with original paper label, all figures, and original weapons and accessories. Pre-war sets (pre-1940) in fine original paint are most valuable. Confederate and Union American Civil War sets, life guards, and infantry of the line are particularly collected.
Clockwork and friction-drive tinplate toys — particularly by German makers Bing, Märklin, and Lehmann from before 1940. Early clockwork cars, boats, trains, and mechanical figures can be very significant. Condition of the lithographed tinplate surface and the working mechanism is assessed carefully.
Pre-war Hornby O-gauge trains and Gauge 1 sets — complete with original coaches, track, accessories, and boxes. Early clockwork sets with original locomotive, rolling stock, and stations are most sought after. Early Hornby Dublo in original boxes from the 1940s and 1950s also has a dedicated collector market.
For vintage toys, original packaging can be worth as much as the toy itself — sometimes more. The reason is simple: paper boxes from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s rarely survive in good condition. A Dinky toy that sat in its original yellow box in a cupboard for decades is rarer than the same model played with loose.
We assess the box and the toy separately and reflect both in our written offer. A toy in very fine original condition in an undamaged original box will receive a meaningfully higher offer than an identical toy without packaging.
Each toy individually — top, base, and any original box. Close-up of any maker's marks, casting numbers, or box labels. Email us if you want a preliminary view before sending.
We send a free prepaid, tracked and insured label. Toy collections pack well in a padded box. Your parcel is insured to £5,000 from the first scan.
Your parcel is opened publicly on YouTube. Condition of each toy and any packaging is documented on camera before any specialist handles it.
Maker, model, paint condition, and packaging all assessed. Written offer per piece. Accept what you want to sell; we return the rest free. Paid in 72 hours or +3%.
Call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk.
Get your free pack →Pre-war Dinky Toys in fine condition, particularly with original boxes. Early Corgi models with original display boxes. Complete Meccano sets with original instructions. Britains lead soldiers in boxed sets with original paint. Early German clockwork tin toys by Bing, Märklin, and Lehmann. We know the hierarchy and assess each piece individually.
Original boxes significantly increase value — for many models, the box is worth as much as the toy. A Dinky in excellent condition in an original box commands a substantial premium. However, rare pre-war castings in fine unboxed condition still have meaningful value. We assess toy and packaging separately.
Britains lead soldiers in complete boxed sets with original paint are actively collected. Pre-war sets in original condition command the highest prices. Painted condition matters most — original factory paint is worth far more than repainted examples. We assess the complete set, paint condition, and any original box.
Pre-war Hornby O-gauge and early post-war clockwork sets with original rolling stock, track, and accessories in original boxes are most valuable. Complete sets with original station, signals, and accessories are worth significantly more than incomplete lots.
Yes. Send us what you have — Dinky, Corgi, Meccano, lead soldiers, tin toys. We assess each piece individually and provide a written report covering the entire lot. No need to sort or identify anything first.
Within 72 hours of your parcel going live on YouTube — guaranteed. If we miss that window, we add 3% to your total.
Maker identified, model assessed, paint condition noted, original packaging valued separately. Written offer per piece. Open live on YouTube. Paid within 72 hours.