Part toy, part biscuit tin, the crossover appeal of a 1929 Huntley & Palmers product helped it to star at Hansons’ (20% buyer’s premium) five-day 2100-lot marathon antiques and collectors sale.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Terence Ryle

Complete with its rare original box, it was brought to a valuation day by a lady who said it had been in the family since a long-dead cousin ran a Doncaster corner store. It had remained forgotten until she was clearing out her house ahead of a move.

The 10in (25cm) lithographed tinplate bus, the top of which opens to reveal the biscuit tin, was in good condition, while the box was catalogued as found. It was given a £1000-1500 estimate at the November 19 sale at Etwall and sold at a decent £2500.

Just the ticket

Also just the ticket for toy bus enthusiasts was a London Transport Routemaster offered at British Toy Auctions (18% buyer’s premium) in Runcorn on November 9

The boxed Triang Spot-On 145 model of the iconic bus featured adverts for the Co-Op’s 99 Tea to the front and Ovaltine to the sides.

It was in excellent condition and in a good box, and against a £180-220 estimate, sold at £300.