About Me

My photo
No Fixed Abode, Home Counties, United Kingdom
I’m a 60-year-old Aspergic gardening CAD-Monkey. Sardonic, cynical and with the political leanings of a social reformer, I’m also a toy and model figure collector, particularly interested in the history of plastics and plastic toys. Other interests are history, current affairs, modern art, and architecture, gardening and natural history. I love plain chocolate, fireworks and trees, but I don’t hug them, I do hug kittens. I hate ignorance, when it can be avoided, so I hate the 'educational' establishment and pity the millions they’ve failed with teaching-to-test and rote 'learning' and I hate the short-sighted stupidity of the entire ruling/industrial elite, with their planet destroying fascism and added “buy-one-get-one-free”. Likewise, I also have no time for fools and little time for the false crap we're all supposed to pretend we haven't noticed, or the games we're supposed to play. I will 'bite the hand that feeds', to remind it why it feeds.

Friday, June 14, 2019

News, Views Etc . . . Forthcoming Events - Saturday 15th - Friday 21st June 2019

Well . . . looks like we'll have our own Trump by the end of the Month! It's too depressing; if you have a relative in the forces, might be an idea to start buying them kit suitable for Iran! Let's hope the new PM gets a lot of body-bags ordered and that Europe/NATO stay well out of it, if the Anglo Saxons have to upgrade their twilight from a whimper to a bang; sobeit, but no reason for anyone else to suffer.

As always, old toys may salve the soul . . . sadly the fairs are cooling-off for the 'summer break' but lots of events are lining up for the holidays and they often have trade and/or vintage tables.

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Toy Fairs

Saturday 15th June 2019

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Alresford - Bob Legget - The Bob Legget National Festival of Toy Trains - aka: 'Alresford'
Perins School, Pound Hill, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9BS
eMail - bobleggett@btinternet.com (note - change of email address)
Tel. - 01962 733 475
10.30 - 16.30hrs
Adults £6, Children £2, early entry (sales hall) from 09.00hrs £10, family ticket (2 adults 2 kids) £14. And if you've picked up a flyer at recent shows, check the back it may be a kid-goes-free voucher?
Bar-b-que, live music, 20+ running railway layouts, 80+ trade tables, toy displays, stalls, licensed bar/real ale, parking &etc.

Crawley  - SRP - Cancelled

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Sunday 16th June 2019

Boston - MGM Fairs - Woodhall Spa Dolls House Fair
Tattershall Village Hall, 16 Lodge Rd, Tattershall, Boston, Lincolnshire, LN4 4LL (venue)
Linnet Lodge, The Village, Wembworthy, Devon, EX18 7RX (promoter)
Tel. - 07818 462448  
10:30-15:00hrs
Admission - adults/seniors: £2.50, children: 50p
Free car parking, refreshments
Free Prize Draws

Rayleigh - SRP Toyfairs
Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 9BZ
Tel. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)
10:00 - 14:00hrs
Admission charge unknown

Stafford - Barry Potter / BP Fairs - 'Stafford Showground'
The Preston & Argyle Suites, Stafford County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0BD
Tel. - 01604 846 688
Mob. - 07966 527 177
10.30 - 15.00hrs
Admission £4.00 (early-bird £8), OAP's £3.50, Children £1,
Free parking

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Tuesday 18th June 2019

Wootton Basset - Steven Clements Fairs - Wootton Basset Evening Fair
Memorial Hall, Station Road, Wootton Basset, Wiltshire, SN4 7EN
Tel. - 01380 725 322
Mob. - 07958 101 891
18:30 - 20:30hrs
Admission charge unknown
Free parking, café

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Auctions

Saturday 15th June 2019

[Runcorn] On-line Auction - British Toy Auctions
The Auction Centre, 9 Berkeley Court, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1TQ
Tel. - 01928 579 032

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Tuesday 18th June 2019

Newbury - Special Auction Services (SAS)
81 Greenham Business Park, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG19 6HW
Tel. - 01635 580595
Fax. - 0871 714 6905
Photographica

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Tuesday 18th - Friday 21st June 2019

Stockton-on-Tees - Vectis Auctions (4-day sale)
Fleck Way, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9JZ
Tel. - 01642 750 616
Tuesday 18th - Specialist Diecast
Wednesday 19th - Specialist Diecast
Thursday 20th - General Toy Sale
Friday 21st - Model Train Sale

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Thursday 20th June 2019

Ludlow - Mullock's Specialist Auctioneers and Valuers
Ludlow Racecourse, Bromfield, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2BT (sale venue)
Tel. - 01694 771 771

Sheffield - Shefield Auction Gallery
Windsor Road, Heeley, Sheffield, S8 8UB
Tel. - 0114 281 6161
Viewing - Wednesday 19th 09:00 - 16:45, from 08:30 on sale day
14:00 - Finish

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Other Events

From Thursday 13th (yesterday) - Sunday 1st September 2019

Ironbridge - Coalbrookdale Gallery/Irornbride Gorge Museums - British Comics
Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge Industrial (and World) Heritage Site, Ironbridge Gorge, Ironbridge, Shropshire
Web. - ironbridge.org.uk (general)
On show is original 1940/50's artwork for Desperate Dan, Denis the Menace (the proper one), Beryl the Peril, Beano the Cat, &etc.

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From Now until 16th September 2019

London (Central) - Design Museum - 'Stanley Kubrick The Exhibition'
Film props, scripts, pre-production and production stuff, research-material, costumes, music etc...from 2001, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, A Clockwork Orange and even the unmade 'Napoleon'.

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Both Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June 2019

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Alresford - Watercress Line - War on the Line
Mid Hants Railway, Station Road, New Alresford, SO24 9JG
Very-much tying-in with Bob Leggett's event (see above) in Alresford (which is at one end of the line), on the Saturday; at least, the Watercress Line [Mid-Hants Railway] will be running a themed service on both days; 'War on the Line' being a 75th Anniversary of D-Day event, with dressing-up, re-enactors, stalls and displays and steam-driven locomotives pulling squidgy-seated vintage rolling stock between Alresford and Medstead (nice pubs) via Ropely, although it's a safe bet the tea & buns won't be at 1944 prices!

Dunsfold - Dunsfold Park - Wings & Wheels
Wings & Wheels,Dunsfold Park, Building 56, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB
Tel. - Phone: 01483 542226
09:00 - Finnish (approximately 19:00hrs) both days
Static and flying aircraft displays, monster trucks, supercars &etc.

Leicester - National Space Centre - The FAB Worlds of Anderson
National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS
Email - info@spacecentre.co.uk
Tel. - 0116 261 0261
10:00 - 16:00hrs Monday - Friday; 10.00 - 17.00 weekends
Admision - Adult £15.00, child (5-16)* and concessions £12.00, under 5's free
Parking (all day ) £3.00
*Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions are over 60's, students (NUS card required) and the disabled.
For some special events, they are also open in the evening, check details.
Celebration of Gerry Anderson's creations

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Overseas Events

Friday 14th (today) until Sunday 16th June 2019

Hong Kong (China) - HKTF - Hong Kong Toy Festival
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Web. - info@hkexpo.com.hk (venue)
Web. - www.hktf.com.hk (promoter - text is in Chinese characters)
Tel. - 852-21 531 177
Friday 14th - 10:00-21:00hrs
Saturday 15th - 10:00-21:00hrs
Sunday  16th - 10:00-20:00hrs
Admission $30HK

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Thursday 20th - Sunday 23rd June 2019

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Galesburg (USA) - 42nd Annual Galesburg Railroad Days Festival - Galesburg Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
2163 East Main Street, PO Box 1911, Galesburg, Ill 61401, Illinois, USA (venue)
Tel. - 309. 343. 4920
Various timings, events, venues etc . . . check links.

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Advanced Warning-Order

Forthcoming Vectis Auction - Wednesday 26th June
Harry Potter Rarity

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Signed hard back Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book with full provenance

Coming up in the 26th June TV & Film related sale is a rather special lot. A signed hard back Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book, plus other associated memorabilia, with full provenance.

Obtained by the vendor whilst being involved in the filming of the first film at Hogsmeade (Goathland, North Yorkshire).

In the Autumn of 2001, Verity was lucky enough to be an extra at Goathland (transformed into Hogsmeade) for filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Daniel Radcliffe, aged only eleven, was sitting alone in the marquee; so Verity felt sorry for him and went over and had a chat with him. He was so friendly and delightful, she remembers! She asked if he would sign her book and he replied that she was the first person to ask for his autograph. He wrote her name and best wishes as well as his signature.

Over the few days of filming, the book was also signed by actors Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Grainger), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid). Robbie Coltrane told Verity that he doesn't usually give autographs but because of the special circumstances, he did. This was because Verity was going through chemotherapy at that time for leukaemia.

The production team were aware of this from the information given when she applied to be an extra. Consequently, Chris Columbus (Director) signed her book and also wrote "Believe in magic" and Roy Button (OBE. Exec VP & Managing Director of Warner Bros Productions) signed it also. Due to the circumstances, Verity was also invited to Leavesden Studios to visit the studio sets like Diagon Alley and the Great Hall in Hogswarts. The letter of invite signed by Roy Button is included for provenance.

There are six other autographs in this book from other actors on set at Goathland, signed at the time. However, Verity can't recall who they were.

Other documentation included are the cast sheet documents and other information that she was given for filming on those days and her payslip and photographs of her in the Hogswarts uniform.

At the time of filming, there was strict security to keep everything secret about the film. The press were kept well away by security so nothing could be leaked before the film was released but again, exceptions were made and the photographs show Verity as a Hogswarts schoolgirl on set at Goathland (Hogsmeade) in that special uniform.

Estimate: £300 - £500

For further information on this Lot, Kathy Taylor our TV & Film Specialist will be available from the 17th June.

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Other News

Lewis (Isle of,  not Sussex) Chess Man

UK readers will be familiar with this story, but for overseas readers; one of the missing chess pieces from the Lewis horde (believed to be a late Viking or 'Scandinavian' trader's 'shop stock') buried in the sand dunes and found many centuries later has turned-up! It had been in a drawer for some years, having been passed down a family's line. Expected to sell over a million pounds, none of the accounts I've found seem that clear as to whether it's missing from the original find's total, or was missing from the original find. Three full sets would be 96 figures, but some articles talk of 'five long-lost pieces from the 93' (Metro - giving a total of 98), while others ('i') talk of five missing from the four 'combined' chess sets? There's also talk of 14 'Tablemen' (like draughts pieces?). The figure, carved from walrus ivory and a little bashed by his 800-odd years sojourn on the planet is 8.8cm and represents a Warder (forerunner of the Rook or Castle) and will be offered-up at Sotheby's, London on the 2nd of July.

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The Sherriff of Nottingham

Games Workshop have announced on target profits of something stratospheric (in the £80M mark) on expected income of £258m+ (254 in sales and 4M from the licensing arm), seen their shares rise in value by +/- 150% and announced that £5m will be given as a bonus to its 1,900 workers, leaving them with £2,600'ish each!

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Not So Good

Two of my main sources for cheap tat to amuse you and/or tick boxes and/or add to the collection have announced problems;

The Works have released a lower profits forecast, blaming Brwreakshit for consumer uncertainty, but turnover and profits are up on the same periods last year, so it's not too grim yet.

While Wilko/Wilinson's are about to face strike action over staff working conditions at their two main distribution warehouses in Wales (Magor) and Nottinghamshire (Worksop), following the imposition by management of compulsory weekend working. The action follows a ballot of the relevant staff by their union, the GMB; 90% of the staff elected for industrial action.

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Toys in the Media

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Mattel's 'Milf' (or is she a Cougar?) Barbie was celebrating her 60th (Gilf!) in the 'i's weekend edition with an in-depth look at her pension prospects; a thinly disguised guide to the rest of us!

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H is for How They Come In

Announcements; Auction News; Auction Starts; Barbie; Chess Pawn Knight; Event Dates; Event Times; Event Timings; Exhibitions; Forthcoming Events; Games Workshop; Harry Potter; Hong Kong; Local Events; Museum Display; Museum Exhibit; News; News Views Etc; News Views Etc...; Newspaper Clipping; Railroad Accessories; Railroad Stuff; Railway Models; Railway Scenics; Show Dates; Show Promoter; Show Reports; Show Times; Space Museum; Teddy Bear; Toy Fairs; TV/Movie Related; Vectis Auctions; Wilkinson's; Wilko Stores; WWII;
Not much this week, I missed a watched-item (while I was eMailing someone about it!), but found these two in a 50p tray, the turkey is China-marked modern rack-toy shite, but so much better than the older stuff that used to come out of Hong Kong, while the little bear is a broach which will probably end-up on a Christmas tree, but I liked that it was flocked and jointed like a real-sized 'Teddy Bear'! I also bought a vintage Waddington's board game (sealed) 'Scoop' for £1.65p, but it had no figures so I sent it back to Charity for a second pay-day!

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2 comments:

Terranova47 said...

On show is original 1940/50's artwork for Desperate Dan, Denis the Menace (the proper one), Beryl the Peril, Beano the Cat, &etc.

Should be either Korky the Cat or Biffo the Bear.

Hugh Walter said...

Biffo! . . . I'm showing my youth!!!

Cheers
H