Toys & Childhood Items

Toys, dolls and childhood items will often fetch a good price at auction. We publish articles on this subject from time to time, and these are all collected in this category. You can also find out more on our specialist Toys page for examples of interesting lots sold at auction.

Get in touch if you have similar or unusual items that need a valuation.

£200,000 Star Wars Toys: The Rarest Figures Ever Sold at Auction (2026)

A single Star Wars action figure has sold for more than a house in the UK , at over £200,000 at auction. Most collectors don’t realise they may already own items worth £1,000s! Star Wars toys aren’t just childhood memorabilia — they’re highly collectible items that have made huge sums at auction. From rare action …

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Most Valuable Star Wars Toys Worth Money (2026 Guide with Auction Prices)

Few toy ranges have achieved the legendary status of Star Wars collectibles. Since the first figures were released in 1977, millions of fans have collected the characters, vehicles, and playsets from the galaxy far, far away. Today, certain vintage Star Wars toys can sell for hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of pounds at auction, …

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Which Matchbox Cars Are Worth Money? Rare Models Worth Thousands (2026 Guide)

Some rare Matchbox cars have sold for £4,000–£11,000 at auction — especially boxed 1960s examples and colour variants. At Potteries Auctions, we have been selling vintage diecast toys, Matchbox models, and collectable childhood items for over 25 years, giving our specialists extensive knowledge in this fascinating and nostalgic field. If you’re curious about the value …

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Inside the UK Toy Market: Your Questions Answered

Sam Holmes, Toy Valuer at Potteries Auctions, shares the latest insights on Britain’s booming toy industry Sam Holmes, Toy Valuer and Auctioneer at Potteries Auctions Q: Let’s start with the basics, just how big is the UK toy market? We’re talking about a £3.3 billion industry here, which makes it one of Europe’s heavyweights. To …

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Are Hornby Train Sets Valuable?

Selection of unboxed Hornby OO Gauge British Rail Diesel Locomotives from 1980’s, sold for £110 at auction  From Liverpool Clerk to Global Icon Hornby Hobbies Ltd began with Frank Hornby (1863-1936). A Liverpool shipping clerk who started making toys for his sons from sheet metal in 1899. Without formal engineering training, Hornby invented three iconic …

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The Enchanting World of Matchbox Toys

Join us as we embark on a journey into the world of Matchbox toys. Explore the fascinating history and craftsmanship of these die-cast miniature vehicles that have excited collectors and car enthusiasts for decades and join our upcoming Fine Art sale featuring over 30 lots to add to your collection! Lot 2345 The Birth of Matchbox …

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Is Vintage Meccano Collectable? Plus Buying and Selling Meccano at Auction

Here at Potteries Auctionwe sell a variety of toys, including Meccano. However, Meccano is so much more than just a toy. It’s a popular, collectable, vintage product that has been well-loved for years. Developed by Frank Hornby in 1898, Meccano was designed with the principles of mechanical engineering in mind, with the tagline ‘Mechanics Made Easy’. Meccano …

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Highlights from our February Online Auction

Vintage comic collections have proved popular at our auctions in recent months, with this collection of vintage comics and annuals including titles from Detective Comics (DC) and Marvel selling for £190 at our February sale Our February 2021 online auctiontook place this month over Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February and featured an exciting array of items, from …

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MECCANO

MECCANO Meccano is a model construction system created in 1901 by Frank Hornby, a clerk from Liverpool, United Kingdom.  The toy that Frank Hornby invented, “Mechanics Made Easy”, was based on the principles of mechanical engineering.  The model construction kit consists of reusable perforated metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles, gears and plastic parts that are …

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Deadline for entries to our July Rare Ceramics, Jewellery & Collectables auction: 20th MayBook a valuation
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