Victorian doll's house in Wexford auction

COLLECTORS OF classic children’s toys may be few in number but are, apparently, a dedicated bunch.

Don’t scoff, as last year Sotheby’s in New York sold the toy collection of the late Malcolm Forbes, the American billionaire publisher, for $2.4 million.

One lot, a model of the liner Lusitaniamade by German toy manufacturer Märklin, sold for $194,500 – a new auction record for a toy ship.

Irish toy collectors hold regular fairs to share information and to buy and sell model trains and cars, lead soldiers and rare board games.

The next fair takes place tomorrow at the Bray Wheelers’ Clubhouse, Schools Road, off Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow from 10am to 3pm.

Also tomorrow – but starting at 2.30pm – is an auction at Woodview House Antiques in Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford which features a late Victorian furnished doll’s house made by renowned British toymaker Lines Bros, for the Earl of Courtown’s daughter, a Ms Stopford.

The vendor acquired the doll’s house in 1948 at the auction of the contents of Courtown House along with a pencil drawing of Ms Stopford dated 1886, which is included in the lot, estimated at €1,500-€2,000.

– MP