Valuing a model collection
Discussion
I'm new to these parts so please be gentle!
My late father left me his model bus collection when he died in 2005. The collection is, substantial shall we say and is 95% fully boxed, unopened examples of bus models by Corgi, EFE and Dinky from when he was a lad (he died at 63 and some of the models are 50 years old) up to the early part of the 2000's. He always said I could 'do as you see fit with it Robert' with the collection but it means too much to part with.
So, I now think it needs insuring and to do that needs valuing and to be honest I am unsure how to approach this. Any help or advice appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
My late father left me his model bus collection when he died in 2005. The collection is, substantial shall we say and is 95% fully boxed, unopened examples of bus models by Corgi, EFE and Dinky from when he was a lad (he died at 63 and some of the models are 50 years old) up to the early part of the 2000's. He always said I could 'do as you see fit with it Robert' with the collection but it means too much to part with.
So, I now think it needs insuring and to do that needs valuing and to be honest I am unsure how to approach this. Any help or advice appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I'd suggest trying to seek the advice of model collectors of similar things to get an idea of what it would be worth. There are a number of model/collectibles magazines that often have directories in the back for contacts of collectors, sellers and traders, there maybe a contact that could help you value the collection. The magazines are in Tesco/Asda etc so easy enough to find.
As with everything, its worth what someone is willing to pay but by the sounds of it, this collection is more sentimental than anything.
I assume you are wanting it valuing for insurance purposes?
As with everything, its worth what someone is willing to pay but by the sounds of it, this collection is more sentimental than anything.
I assume you are wanting it valuing for insurance purposes?
Yeah I get what you're saying. I meant you want to know how much to insure it for as it was your dads collection, not to get an idea to sell on. 
Have a look for those magazines in Tesco, I know for definite that they sell them. They do have quite a bit of info in them so I'm sure you could find advice on getting them valued.
Have a look for those magazines in Tesco, I know for definite that they sell them. They do have quite a bit of info in them so I'm sure you could find advice on getting them valued.
To get an insurance valuation for something like a collection of models you really need to speak to a couple of specialist dealers, and a couple of good auction houses.
Vectis are a well respected toy auctioneers and there are a number of others that are based locally to you, they may charge for their time if you are not planning to sell items with them but it would be useful as if your father has collected for a long time there could be one or two very rare/valueable items there.
Vectis are a well respected toy auctioneers and there are a number of others that are based locally to you, they may charge for their time if you are not planning to sell items with them but it would be useful as if your father has collected for a long time there could be one or two very rare/valueable items there.
As the collection is of old models, the diecast magazine runs a price guide suppliment every year, so if you've missed this years you'll probably still be able to buy as a back issue. This will list 10,000's of models with their current market value.
Most will be worth only a couple of £'s, but you might have some rare ones, but at the end of the day, collections sold in bulk normally do not go for much, any serious (replace that with stupid IMHO) collectors who like to spend a lot of money on rare models will only buy singles, rarely a collection.
At the end of the day, if you enjoy them, put them on display and if you really want to have a value for insurance, use a ball-park figure of £5 for each 1:43 scale, larger models a little more.
Most will be worth only a couple of £'s, but you might have some rare ones, but at the end of the day, collections sold in bulk normally do not go for much, any serious (replace that with stupid IMHO) collectors who like to spend a lot of money on rare models will only buy singles, rarely a collection.
At the end of the day, if you enjoy them, put them on display and if you really want to have a value for insurance, use a ball-park figure of £5 for each 1:43 scale, larger models a little more.
motormania said:
any serious (replace that with stupid IMHO) collectors
Yep, this was my Dad - he would scour the country for some models and when he had them never opened the boxes and many remain shrink wrapped if this was how they came.I'll buy a copy of Model Collector and investigate further getting it all valued.
Thanks for the replies.
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