An auction of toy soldiers and figures takes place today that includes lots estimated at up to £4,000 sterling (€6,400).

The auction, at Christie's in London includes both military and civilian figures by leading international manufacturers including Heyde, Britains, Timpo, Elastolin and Mignot, ranging in estimate from £200 to £4,000.

A single childhood collection of Heyde figures in the auction contains a military section of US, British, French and other foreign soldiers. It includes a British empire of India elephant gun team and escort, which is expected to fetch £1,500 to £2,000, and a team of US army engineers, estimated at £400 to £600.

The civilian section of the same single owner collection includes a rare circus troupe, comprising a colourful mix of performers, including a ringmaster, clowns, acrobats and horse. It is expected to fetch £700 to £1,000.

The auction includes a flamboyant procession of Heyde figures entitled Triumph of Germanicus expected to fetch up to £1,200. This comprises three large elephants with howdahs and mahouts, horse-drawn chariots, infantry and some prisoners being displayed as part of the triumphal ceremony.

A rare Heyde boy scout troupe taking part in an outward bound adventure includes scouts in a variety of poses including lighting a campfire, building a bridge and hoisting each other up on their shoulders. It is expected to make £500 to £700.

The Britains section of the auction includes a rare 1952 set of US Marine Corps in full dress uniform, which is estimated at £1,500 to £1,800. A 1940 Argentine infantry legion in steel helmets is expected to fetch £800 to £1,200, while a 1939 team of RAF fire fighters in Bestobel asbestos suits is estimated at £250 to £350.

Civilian figures include a rare Britains Davis Estates builder's lorry, complete with driver. This lot, with Builders of Houses on the side, was produced as a promotional piece for the building company in 1939 and is expected to fetch as much as £4,000. A 1950s two-tier salesman's sample box with a complete Wild West series by British company Timpo is estimated at £1,000 to £1,200, while a rare Taylor & Barrett street sweeper and dust cart, containing dustbins and lids, is expected to fetch £200 to £300.

Mr Daniel Agnew, toy soldier specialist at Christie's, said that if more common items may be declining in value, rarer toys in good condition are increasing in value. "In various different sections of the toy market, you do see trends. Things become more popular and other things become less popular. It's not a constant growing market. Some things go out of fashion. But generally it's very strong.

"Most of the fields that we sell, the collectors are quite well established and they've got quite a decent collection already and they're filling in gaps or looking for something in better condition or the rarer items. Condition and rarity are getting very strong prices still but perhaps the also ran are the things which are a bit worn or more common. Once collectors have established a certain amount they're all looking for the rarer items and finer items. And then still more common stuff comes onto the market.

"But that's on the established market. Then we find the next generation come along and perhaps collect something different. It depends on who starts collecting what in the future."

According to Mr Ian Whyte of Whyte's auction rooms in Marlborough Street, Dublin: "There's been an acute shortage of good quality toys on the Irish market for the past year or so. We assume this is due to the fact that people don't need the money."