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Vectis Auctions, Thornaby reveals top selling lots of 2025
From vintage toys to engineering marvels, the top-grossing lots from Vectis Auctions in Thornaby tell a story of nostalgia, rarity and craftsmanship.
Here’s how the year’s most coveted lots stacked up – from the smallest hammer price to the biggest.
- Matchbox Regular Wheels 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck – £3,920
September’s sale saw a Matchbox Regular Wheels 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck cross the block.
Though unboxed and showing minor chips, this Stannard Code 1 variant still commanded nearly £4,000 against its £2,800 – £3,400 estimate.
- ‘Real Cricket in Miniature’ – £4,165
In October, a curiosity from 1947 arrived on site – a Tulltoy ‘Real Cricket in Miniature’ set – complete with lead figures, stumps, boundary fences and a felt pitch.
Marketed as a playable game, this set was previously unknown to collectors, making its appearance sensational.
Despite water damage to the box, its rarity propelled it right into the £3,000-£5,000 estimate.
- Star Wars vintage action figure Yoda – £4,595
Star Wars nostalgia struck with a Palitoy Yoda (brown snake) on an unpunched 30B cardback.
Despite minor dents and waviness, this figure achieved £4,595 – proof that even the smallest Jedi can command serious money when packaged neatly.
- Steiff ‘Cubby’ antique Muzzle Bear – £6,600
Among the most heartwarming lots was Steiff’s ‘Cubby’ Muzzle bear, dating from 1911-1917.
Standing 64cm tall, with its original leather muzzle and growler, Cubby came from a rich backstory – once cherished by a wealthy New Jersey family, passed down through generations and preserved in astonishing condition.
Estimated at £3,000-£5,000, it roared to £6,600.
- Wimpy Star Wars 1978 action transfers promotional poster – £6,615
Originally handed out with children’s meals, this Wimpy Star Wars action transfer poster from 1978 soared to £6,615 – obliterating its £300-£400 estimate.
Who would have thought a fast-food giveaway could become a collector’s prize?
- Star Wars vintage action figure Jawa – £11,635
October’s sale also featured a Palitoy Jawa on unpunched 12B cardback, with the vinyl cape intact.
Despite minor litho tears and card waviness, this figure reached £11,635.
For collectors, the vinyl cape variant is a holy grail, produced in limited numbers before Kenner switched to cloth capes.
- Mickey Mouse tinplate – £12,250
Collectors of early character toys were captivated by a Saalheimer & Strauss Mickey Mouse tinplate figure from the early 1930’s.
Designed for the English market and marked under exclusive arrangement with Ideal Films Ltd., this dancing Mickey – with moving eyes and teeth – embodies the charm of pre-war European toy-making.
Despite the missing rubber tail and showing signs of age, it raised £12,250.
- Live steam South African Railways (SAR) Class 23 steam locomotive No. 2552 – £12,250
Not all the headline lots were toys – January’s sale featured a 3.5 ” live steam SAR class 23 locomotive, a magnificent engineering piece built by Herbert Clarkson of York between 1979 and 1985.
Standing over two metres long on its custom stand, this locomotive came with transport boxes, original invoices, and a fascinating provenance – it once belonged to a South African radio and TV personality, John Grant Silver.
Despite requiring minor repairs, it steamed past expectations of £8,000-£10,000 and totalled £12,250.
- Matchbox Regular Wheels 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck – £13,500
Diecast collectors witnessed a jaw-dropping moment when a Matchbox Regular Wheels 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck in a reverse colour variant sold for £13,500 – more than four times its estimate of £2,500-£3,000.
Complete with its original E2 box and ‘new model’ lettering, this example was described as ‘excellent plus’, with only the tiniest imperfections.
For enthusiasts of Stannard Code 1 models, this was a once in a lifetime find.
- Kenner Star Wars Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi pre-production engineering pilot – £24,500
Topping the chart was a Kenner Star Wars Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi pre-production engineering pilot figurine, complete with the elusive double-telescoping lightsaber and graded at an impressive AFA 80NM.
This prototype, never intended for retail shelves, represents a fascinating glimpse into Kenner’s design process during the late 1970s.
Estimated at £25,000-£30,000, it narrowly missed its guide price but still achieved a staggering £24,500.
From miniature cricket sets to galactic icons, the Vectis Auctions proved that the past still holds immense value.
As 2026 approaches, one thing is certain – the appetite for nostalgia and rarity shows no sign of slowing down.
