Go back to the old school at Birmingham’s vintage toy fair

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Many youngsters these days think that if a toy doesn’t come with batteries and an LCD touch screen, it isn’t worth bothering with.  But this perception might change if you take them along to the Toy Collectors’ Fair at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham next week.

The fair on April 22, which is also being run on June 24, September 23 and December 27 this year, will feature a plethora of toys which definitely don’t need batteries and will still work if you spill water on them.

Visitors to the event, which takes place from 10.30am to 3.30pm, are bound to be enthralled by the 600 exhibitors’ wares, which will include toys and models by famous companies including Corgi, Scalextric and Disney.  Also on sale will be collectables from your favourite television and film series such as Doctor Who and James Bond.  There will be something for everyone at the fair, from low-cost teddies to rare trains which are likely to fetch three figure sums.

Run by Barry Potter Fairs, exhibitors will be coming from across the UK and Europe to the event, including Anglo Dutch Model Trucks, Mersey Collectables and Rhondda Diecast to name but a few. If teddy bears and dolls are your passion, you’ll be delighted to hear that there is a section purely for these toys featuring exhibitors from across the country.  These are likely to include Barbara-Ann Bears, Mary Shortle of York and Candi Bears – so make sure you pay a visit to this dedicated part of the exhibition.

You may have some vintage toys of your own that you are thinking of selling.  If you have a dusty train set in the attic from the 1930s or an antique doll that belonged to your great-grandmother, why not bring it along on the day?  Vectis Auctions will be on hand at the NEC to take a look at your item – or a photo if you can’t bring it along – to let you know more about it and how much it might be worth.

You may find your antiquated item is valued at more than you think – at a recent auction in Cirencester, a collection of Star Wars toys sold for almost £8,000, while a 100-year-old teddy went under the hammer for an selling price of £780!  Meanwhile, another teddy was sold for £650 in Teesdale recently – so it’s definitely worth taking your old bear or other toys along to be valued.

There are many NEC Birmingham hotels to choose from if you are visiting the toy fair from afar, with free parking at the centre for all visitors to the event.  It’s bound to be a great day out for the whole family – and a chance to show the kids that cool toys are about more than games consoles and warfare shoot-em-ups!

Tickets to the toy fair cost £6 for adults, £5.50 for senior citizens and £2 for children, with under fives going free.  If you fancy an early entry from 8am, standard tickets will cost £10.

Visit : http://www.hiexpressbirminghamsouth.co.uk/

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