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 was commonly sold in kits, and each kit contained the equipment and tools needed to build specific models. It can still be bought to this day, but vintage Meccano has a specific look and feel.
What is Meccano?
Meccano was used to teach the basic principles of mechanics and engineering, such as levers and gearing. Another reason why this toy was so well-loved – it’s educational and creative!
This delightful collection of vintage Meccano sold for £90 at auction. It included , such as station staff, passengers, telephone boxes, seating, advertising boarding and much more!
Meccano was made famous for its bright colours and, from 1916, its publication ‘Meccano Magazine’. Unlike many products from that era, production wasn’t stopped during the First World War. However, the Second World War did cause a halt to production lines.
Meccano is a truly British born and bred brand, with its factory sitting for 66 years at the Binns Road site in Liverpool. It’s now owned by a French and Japanese company, and there has even been talk of a Hollywood film re-telling the Meccano story! So, it’s no surprise that Meccano pieces make their way to our auction house.
Is Vintage Meccano Popular at Auction?
If you’re looking to sell or buy vintage Meccano, you may find yourself asking ‘how much is Meccano worth?’. The answer to this question can vary greatly, depending on the quality of the piece, the condition, and the age of the Meccano set. However, we’ve listed some popular Meccano pieces that sold at our auctions to provide an example of how popular vintage Meccano can be.
This unique lot sold for a stunning £720 at a recent auction – an Ultimate Meccano Set, outfit number 10, with blue and yellow pieces, together with its original oak veneered four drawer chest. The lot also included several magazines and manuals, a Meccano motor and Hornby power control unit (made, of course, by Meccano).
This set is one of the best we’ve seen and is as good as Meccano sets can be. For that reason, it’s scarce to find one in this condition and containing a huge quantity of Meccano. We’d be keen to hear from you if you have a set like this at home.
Another example of a fantastic Meccano auction is this large collection of vintage Meccano parts, brochures and accessories. It was packed in two large boxes and given estimates from £50-£100, but eventually sold for a wonderful £200.
This colourful set below really does show off Meccano and highlight its collectable (and educational) nature – a must-have for any Meccano collector. With additional box, parts, and manuals, this Meccano 4el Boxed Construction set sold for a lovely £85 at auction.
How to Buy Meccano at Auction
If you’d like to buy vintage Meccano, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether it’s adding to a personal collection, buying for a family member or friend, or even to buy as a longer-term possible investment, then we here at Potteries Auction can help.
There are a number of ways you can bid on any upcoming Meccano lots with Potteries Auctions, including in person, online and over the phone. Please contact us to arrange beforehand if you’d like to come and bid in person or via telephone, or bid online from the comfort of your home with The Saleroom and Easylive Auctions. Commission bids can also be made through Potteries Auctions. Find out more on how to submit a commissioned bid at auction.
This wonderful Meccano lot (circa 1920s) was kept in itsoriginal varnished wooden box with lift-out tray containing original tins and “Meccano No.6” decal inside and outside of the lid. It was brought to us in excellent condition.
How to Sell Meccano at Auction
If you have Meccano items to sell at auction, get in touch and we can help you with a valuation. You don’t want to end up selling items on eBay or dropping them off at a charity shop, or even under-selling your Meccano pieces at a car boot sale, when you could have had a hassle-free sale with Potteries Auction.
Talk to our team of experts who will be able to give you an accurate auction estimate on your Meccano collection and recommend the best auction for your piece. You can join us at one of our valuation days every Tuesday. Email us for an appointment enquiries@potteriesauctions.com or call us on +44 (0)1782 638100 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
If you can’t come in and see us in person but would like to submit items for auction or valuation, send us an email to enquiries@potteriesauctions.com with details and a photograph (e.g. make, model, model number, measurements, condition) and one of our experts will provide information and auction estimates. Alternatively, give us a call on 01782 638100 to arrange an appointment.