Bidding online for toys as Christmas presents is child's play

Go for recycling this Christmas when it comes to presents, to give yourself a warm glow alongside the mulled wine and mince pies.
Here are five suggestions from upcoming auctions before the special day.

Barbie goes for a swim

According to Britannica.com, “Barbie, in full Barbara Millicent Roberts, an 11in (29cm) tall plastic doll with the figure of an adult woman, was introduced on March 9, 1959, by Mattel, Inc, a southern California toy company. Ruth Handler, who cofounded Mattel with her husband, Elliot, spearheaded the introduction of the doll. Barbie’s physical appearance was modelled on the German Bild Lilli doll, a risqué gag gift for men based upon a cartoon character featured in the West German newspaper Bild Zeitung.”
History lesson over. At auction in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on December 17 you can bid for a Barbie No 850 Doll (pictured top), comprising figure in red swimming costume with red shoes and display stand, housed in the original card box. The estimate at Lacy Scott & Knight is £100-150.
Check out the Barbie No 850 Doll on thesaleroom.com.

Bond's wheels

Corgi Toys James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from the film Goldfinger - estimate £150-175 at Wallis & Wallis auction on December 13.

Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the latest 007 film No Time to Die…
If you are now feeling nostalgia for the days when James Bond was, well, alive, then you could try collecting some of the wide array of branded toys produced over the years.
This Corgi Toys James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from the film Goldfinger, in metallic gold with red interior, all functions in working order, boxed, with display insert, mostly minor wear, comes with ‘Top Secret’ instructions and two figures.
It is estimated at £150-175 in the Wallis & Wallis auction on December 13 in Lewes.
See thesaleroom.com to bid for the Corgi Toys James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5.

Buying and flying

Hornby electric O Gauge Flying Scotsman - estimate £120-160 on December 14-15 at Special Auction Services.

The Trains Galore sale at Special Auction Services of Newbury does exactly what it says on the tin, so to speak. Trains. Lots of them.
Estimated at £120-160 in the December 14-15 edition is this Hornby 0 Gauge electric No E320 Flying Scotsman locomotive and tender, in LNER green as No 4472.
The class A3 locomotive was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway at Doncaster Works, designed by Nigel Gresley. It is now one of the most famous locomotives in the world.
Flying Scotsman was certainly a flier: the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100mph (in 1934) and a record-holder for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles (in Australia, 1989).
Bid for the Hornby 0 Gauge electric No E320 Flying Scotsman locomotive and tender via thesaleroom.com.

Funnel vision

Bing three funnel liner - estimate £1300-2500 at Tennants on December 15.

Bing was one of the German manufacturers which revolutionised toy making in the mid to late 19th century. Railway models are the most familiar product but boats also featured.
At North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants on December 15 this wonderful ship is on offer estimated at £1300-1500. It features four lifeboats, four ventilators, removeable superstructure revealing clockwork mechanism driving twin propellers, flags to bow and stern and two non-original masts, and is stamped with BW to top.
You can see the Bing three funnel liner on thesaleroom.com.

Cool customer

Arctic Inuit doll - estimate £200-300 at Woolley & Wallis on December 15.

For something a bit different try this Inuit, Arctic doll on offer at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis on December 15. With a woven head and wearing a sealskin parka and trousers, mittens and boots, it is 34.5cm high.
It is estimated at £200-300.
You can view the Inuit, Arctic doll on thesaleroom.com.