Cockermouth: Dolls fetch £2,800 at Mitchells auction

The china dolls, with glass eyes and painted faces, were originally expected to fetch between £100 and £150 at the Cockermouth auction.

Measuring 11cm high, the dolls were all dressed in their original clothes, which contributed to the surprise bidding frenzy.

A boxed Steiff Millennium Band Stand and five Millennium Band Bears (Image: Mitchell’s) Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends collectibles also performed well in the sale, with a rare Thomas the Tank Hornby 00 Gauge boxed Locomotive Murdoch sold for £650.

Meanwhile, three boxes of Brio wood-built locomotives, rolling stock, vehicles, and figures fetched £420.

A collection of Star Wars figures, featuring characters such as Imperial and Rebel Troops, Jedi, Yoda, and R2-D2, many of which came with loose weapons, made £420 against an estimate of £20 to £40.

Collection of Star Wars Figures including Imperial and Rebel Troops (Image: Mitchell’s) A boxed Transformer, Robosen Optimus Prime Elite Core Edition, also exceeded expectations by selling for £380.

Among the computer games featured in the sale was a collection of twelve Amiga Dungeons and Dragons games and related items, which sold for £350.

A Sega Mega Drive 16 Bit and Sega Mega Drive 32X, along with several other games including a 32 Bit Star Wars Arcade, Virtua Racing Deluxe, and Doom, as well as a Sega Mega Drive Arcade Power Stick and Control Pad, all made £320.

The vintage Triang wooden rocking horse (Image: Mitchell’s) Traditional toys also made an impact at the auction.

A vintage Triang wooden rocking horse, 88cm in length and 55cm high, achieved £320.

Another rocking horse, carved by Ian Armstrong with red tack and a raised back saddle, measuring 184cm in length and 130cm high, sold for £215.

Three boxes of wood built Brio locomotives, rolling stock, vehicles and figures  (Image: Mitchell’s) A boxed Steiff Millennium Band Stand and five Millennium Band Bears, with a certificate, made £280.

Sale prices and more details can be found in the fully illustrated catalogue available online at mitchellsantiques.co.uk.

Mitchells is now accepting entries for its next Toy Sale, which will include soft toys, dolls, model railways, die-cast models, computer games, and other vintage toys.

David Lomas, a specialist at Mitchells, is offering free valuations for sale.

Thomas the Tank Hornby 00 Gauge boxed Locomotive Murdoch  (Image: Mitchell’s) Mitchells' next major event is the Antiques & Fine Art Sale, scheduled for three days from Wednesday, September 24, to Friday, September 26.

Entries for this sale are open until Friday, August 22.

Mitchells are also inviting entries for their Country Sporting Sale from October 22 to 24.

Items related to hunting, shooting, or fishing are welcome, with James Moore offering free valuations for sale.

The final deadline for these entries is Friday, September 19.

Mitchells provide free valuations by appointment at their Cockermouth saleroom.

They also offer home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness area, and valuations for probate and insurance purposes.

For more information, contact Mitchells on 01900 827800.