Miniature modes of transport – including trains, boats and engines – proved the most popular items by far at the last vintage and antique toy sale in Cockermouth.

The top selling lot at the sale by auctioneers Mitchells was a live steam 3.5in gauge Caledonian Railway Co. Class locomotive in black livery. It had an initial estimate of £300 to £500 but eventually sold for £1,100. The second most valuable lot was an RLE Hopper cooled hit and miss petrol engine in full working order, it was also expected to fetch £300 to £500 but went for £900.

A large scale wooden model steam engine, painted in green and white, together with a Maxwell Hemmens mahogany clad stationary engine, also sold for more than double its estimate, reaching £680.

And a Maxell Hemmens of York steam model marine engine with a mahogany clad boiler sold for £650.

Käthe Kruse was a German doll maker considered a pioneer in the field, and her rare figures are very popular with collectors. A 47cm doll with a red and green knitted cardigan and tartan patterned dress, sold for £280 against an estimate of £150 to £200, while a Portside Georgian-style dolls’ house, handmade by the miniature specialist and dolls’ house maker Paul Davey, sold for £220. Summer sport was reflected in the unusual oak Slazenger tennis racquet press, probably from the 1920s, with adjustable divisions for tennis racket storage. It sold for £240.

Other novelty items included a painted wooden bookcase in the form of a clinker built boat manufactured by Hanah. which made £50, a range of Hubley figures including an American motorcycle patrol toy, which sold for £22, and a pair of cast iron doorstops in the form of golfers, bought for £10.

Two Jaguar car mascots, one mounted on a marble base, made £80.

An illustrated catalogue with all prices realised in the sale can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk

The vintage and antique toy sales are held twice a year, in the summer and winter, and entries are now invited for the next one in February 2020. However the closing date for entries for Mitchells’ next three-day antiques and fine art sale is coming up next week. The sale will be held from Wednesday, September 4 to Friday, September 6 but last-minute submission have to be in by Tuesday. For more details phone auctioneer Ewan Duff on 01900 827800.