Antiques valuation sees toy collection make millions

Late millionaire Malcolm Forbes' toy collection - which may have had an antiques valuation before going under the hammer and includes items such as soldiers, board games and boats - has made $2.3 million (£1.5 million) at auction.

The lot, which had been amassed over the course of nearly 40 years, featured a three foot-long replica of ocean liner Lusitania that went for $194,500 at the Sotheby's event in New York, a record for a toy of its kind.

What's more, there was an original game of Monopoly - handmade by Charles Darrow - that sold for $146,500, above its antique price guide of $80,000.

Other pieces of interest included an exotic clockwork gunboat from Marklin/Rock and Graner, which was purchased for $134,500.

This comes after puppets of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and husband Denis from satirical TV show Spitting Image - which ran from 1984 to 1996 - were given valuations of £3,000.

Posted by John Folwell