ONCE again Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s quarterly collectors’ sale provided a happy hunting ground for room, phone and online bidders.

Put together under the expert eye of valuer Dr Peter Rixon the huge range of items going under the hammer encompassed everything from edged weapons to sewing ephemera at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton.

There was plenty for the model car fan with no fewer than three collections included in the sale all built up by long-term enthusiasts. Among these was a comprehensive 1/18 scale CMC collection. The diecast model section proved particularly popular with buyers and sold for a combined £15,000.

Bridgwater Mercury:

An online bidder bought a brace of percussion cavalry pistols, 2nd Scinde Irregular Horse for £2,285

An Isle of Man Elizabeth II gold proof set dated 1974 and comprising four coins – five pounds, two pounds, sovereign and half sovereign, each in original, unopened sealed packet, was bought by a phone bidder for £1,400.

Cigarette cards enjoyed a strong trade. A single card of iconic baseball player Hugh Duffy went to an online bidder for £320.

Bridgwater Mercury:

From 1891 through 1900, Duffy knocked in 100 runs or more eight times. In 1894 Duffy had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history, leading the league with 18 home runs, with 145 RBI and a .440 batting average. On June 18th 1894 he established a major league mark when he reached base safely three times in one inning. This record still stands today.

An 18th century carved treen stay busk love token dated 1893 and incorporating the initials “S T” with heart, flower head and crossed arrow motifs charmed an online bidder who paid £600 for the memento.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Of more local interest was a British Railways (Western Region) enamel totem sign for Taunton. In generally good original condition it sold to a delighted room bidder for £600.

Sewing accessories were much in demand. The pick was a extenstive lot featuring treen and ivory clamps; two carved ivory pin cushions, one with tape measure; carved ivory needle cases and a sewing box in the form of a small toy chest. A phone bidder clinched this attractive lot for £650.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Items are being accepted for the next quarterly collectors sale which takes place on Friday, December 7. For more information please call the saleroom on 01823 332525.