The Dominion Post, Business section, Monday August 30, 2010.
Dunbar Sloane auction assistant Max Pace has a close look at some of the trains from the late Joe Bell's toy collection. Old toys were Mr Bell's passion and his collection is to be offered up for others to enjoy. Mr Bell, a Wellington panelbeater, car restorer and collector, died in July, aged 58. His wife supported his hobby, winning him a toy truck he coveted for years at Dunbar Sloane auction the week before he died. Now Dunbar Sloane is to auction most of his life's work - six carloads of live model steam engines, Hornby locomotives, lead figures, diecast toys, and a "fabulous" array of Meccano.
"Joe's collection is certainly known throughout the Wellington region as being of very good quality," says Bettina Frith, the auction house's toy specialist. She expects many railway buffs will be interested when the collection goes under the hammer on December 1.
Story: Catherine Harris