28th Mar, 2024 9:00

Specialist Collectors' Sale

 
Lot 2604
 
Lot 2604 - Live Steam Unique Foden Steam Wagon single cylinder with piston boiler (no certificate)
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2604

Live Steam Unique Foden Steam Wagon single cylinder with piston boiler (no certificate)

Live Steam Unique Foden Steam Wagon single cylinder with piston boiler (no certificate)

Sold for £750


Condition Report
137cm in overall length 

60cm in overall height 

57cm in width 



Further to our conversation this morning I include a brief report of our findings following a viewing of the above lot. I hope this may be of some use to all parties concerned.

The model is a 3" scale Foden Overtype Steam Wagon. It was viewed this morning, in the presence of a Federation of Model Engineering Societies Boiler Inspector.

It has a single cylinder, double-acting steam engine and a steel pistol type boiler. The engine is unusual, not the single crank compound or twin compound usually seen. The piston is seized in the cylinder, but could be carefully freed off by the right hands. The fact that the builder has managed to replicate an authentic pistol type boiler is quite remarkable and unique.The rest of the model appears well made, with gears and transmission apparently in working order.

The problem lies with the steel construction of the boiler, as opposed to the more widely accepted copper construction. It is evident, by looking in through the smokebox door, that internal corrosion has led to wastage of the internal structure. It is fair to assume this will be the case throughout the boiler and, in my opinion, could render it unsuitable for further use. A thorough ultrasonic test of material thickness could prove otherwise for those feeling lucky.

It would be a great shame to lose such a lovely model. The options for its future are as follows:

1) Restore the model as a static exhibit.

2) Have an ultrasonic test and pressure test of the boiler carried out by a commercial company and hope for the best. And/or...

3) Replace the boiler with a more suitable design in copper. This would cost approx. £1500 - 2000 from a company like Miniature Steam and involve considerable work. This company may be interested in taking on the whole project.

In conclusion, this is still a worthwhile project for the right person. The pricing is reasonable for the risks involved. Fully functional, with a tidy up and some new paint, the model could be worth £8000 - 10000.

 

Below is a list of useful companies for restoration, boilers ,etc:

 

miniaturesteam.com (John Rex Models)




 

It was nice to meet you and the team this morning. We had fun anyway.

 

Best regards

 

In Person

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Live Internet Bidding

We are pleased to offer a live online bidding service through our website platform ReemansLive.*

ReemansLive offers an excellent auction experience on your desktop, phone or tablet without being in the room. The platform is complete with live audio and video feeds to enable you to watch and hear the auction as it happens wherever you are in the world.  Additionally you are able to see opposing bids in real time and view the upcoming lots.

A Bid Live button will appear on our home page when the sale is live. Simply click this to sign in & begin. 

New users will need an online account with us to participate in live auctions via ReemansLive. Once you have created your account and registered card details, you will be approved to bid for the auction. 

*Please note that if you bid through our website you will be charged an additional 3% (plus VAT) commission on the hammer price. 

Alternatively you can bid via www.the-saleroom.com To bid online, simply register with the-saleroom.com and visit the site on the day of the sale. Please note that if you bid through the-saleroom.com, you will be charged an additional 4.95% (plus VAT) commission on the hammer price.

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Absentee Bidding

For clients unable or not wishing to attend our sale we are happy to accept absentee bids. Absentee bids can either be left in person with our office team, phoned or emailed to us. We simply require lot numbers and descriptions and the maximum bid which you wish to leave. Absentee bids are then transferred to our auction pages and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf. If the lot can be purchased at a lower price than your maximum bid our auctioneers will always endeavour to work in your interest to purchase the lot for you as cheaply as other bids will allow. If the same bid is left by two people on a lot we will precedence to the bidder who leaves the bid first. 

We are happy to provide condition reports for online and absentee bidders and to supply additional photographs on any lot. We ask that condition report requests are submitted at least 24 hours prior to the sale. (Whilst every care is taken to give an accurate condition report, we accept no responsibility for any omissions or errors in our reports. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view the lots and satisfy themselves as to their condition.)

 

Telephone Bidding

We are happy to accept phone bids for our Fine Art and Collectors’ sales. Phone bids may be arranged in person with our office team, by phone or by email. We simply require the lot number and details of the lots which you wish to bid on and contact phone number / numbers. Our phone bidders will call in advance of your chosen lot / lots and bid on your behalf during the sale.
Telephone bids must be booked by 4pm the day before the sale but can be arranged earlier, we have limited lines and certain lots can be over-subscribed for phone bidding, in such instances we conduct a first come, first served basis and we encourage clients to book well in advance or risk being disappointed.

Auction: Specialist Collectors' Sale, 28th Mar, 2024

 

Reeman Dansie’s first Specialist Collectors auction of the year saw a great deal of interest across the three day sale, both from online bidders and in the room. The sale began with over 300 lots of jewellery, with highlights including £680 for a group of Chinese hardstone pendants (lot 169), and £700 for a Victorian jewellery box with contents (lot 176). Coins followed, where the top-selling lot was a Bahamas gold four-coin proof set at £2,640 (lot 420). The day concluded with the miitaria section, which witnessed strong competition for Georgian pistols, medals and bladed weapons. A scarce William IV Cavalry Officers' silver presentation sword sold for £2,700 (lot 900).

 

Day two began with ceramics and glassware, where there were notable results for Lladro and Royal Doulton figures, while a Royal Crown Derby tea set sold for £680 (lot 1156). We continued with ephemera, stamps and books: a run of Biggles books sold over-estimate for £1,400 (lot 1759), while a signed Winston Churchill letter made £600 (lot 1511). Day two finished with toys, which included over 150 more lots from the Barry Butcher collection. The highlight of the section was a rare Pelham Puppet, which sold for £840, no strings attached (lot 1915).

 

The final day of the sale began with textiles, where everything from designer curtains to Gucci sunglasses went under the hammer. There was prolonged online bidding for two pairs of antique ladies shoes, eventually selling to a bidder in the USA for £1,700 (lot 2137). The remainder of the sale included automobilia, music, cameras and other miscalleous items. A wonderful collection of 1950s British Rail posters made just shy of £4,500, while there were other good results for Art Nouveau bronzes, a Staunton chess set and a collection of 1960s guitars and amplifiers.  

 

We’d like to thank everyone who attended, and we look forward to welcoming you to our next Specialist Collectors sale in June. Before then we will be holding a range of other sales; please check our website for further details.

 

Prices subject to buyer’s premium.

 

Viewing

Saturday 23rd March 9am - 1pm

Monday 25th March 9am - 5pm

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