A WELL-SUPPORTED collectors sale saw an immense range of goods come under the hammer at Greenslade Taylor Hunt as an ever changing assembly of buyers clinched their “must have” items.

The dedicated quarterly collectors sales at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton, are well regarded by vendors and buyers alike for their broad sweep of collectables.

Last week’s sale encompassed everything from microscopes to maps. Indeed it was a Powell & Lealand lacquered brass monocular microscope, with a selection of lenses and other accessories in a fitted mahogany box, the whole with a mahogany travel case, which took the top spot. An internet bidder paid £3,700 for the microscope.

A phone bidder paid £450 for a collection of late 18th/early 19th Century and later spectacles.

An Australian stamp collection from a deceased estate was another great success. A determined room bidder proved successful. He paid £2,710 for the mint and used collection. Other notable prices were £1,000 for an Australian collection circa 1913-65 and £850 for a mixed mint and used collection, which was also Australian.

An attractive British Railways poster extolling the charms of the Isles of Scilly had garnered a good deal of pre-sale interest and it proved a popular proposition when the sale got underway. Bidding climbed crisply and an internet buyer eventually emerged the victor. The buyer paid £740.

Other railwayana also achieved strong prices. A Great Western Railway cast iron bench was claimed by a room bidder. He paid £490.

An early 19th Century park of transformation playing cards by E. Olivatte of London was another good performer. A phone bidder paid £740.

Militaria performed strongly. Highlights included a personal archive relating to Commander Humphrey Gilbert of the Royal Navy. A bidder paid £836.50 for the archive. This sum was also paid by a phone bidder for an early 20th Century laminated wood twin-blade aircraft propeller.

Diecast models, model trains and toys offered, also achieved significant prices. A live stationary steam plant made £420, while a large collection of Action Man figures sold for £350. Three kit-built GWR locomotives (OO gauge) went for £200. The same sum clinched a range of assorted part kit-built locomotives.

An undated copy of the Book of Common Prayer sold by Parker along with the Holy Bible containing the old and new testaments sold by Parker, Cornhill, Oxford, 1682 along with The Book of Psalms 1682 sold for £420.

A section devoted to phones saw a GPO type 332 phone in Chinese red sell for £220, while an ivory example from 1956 sold for £110. Sadly neither was bought by a phone bidder - instead the internet took possession of both items.

Preparations will now begin for the next quarterly collectors’ sale which takes place on Friday, December 2. However if you cannot wait that long to get your fix a substantial collectors’ section is included in each monthly antiques sale at The Octagon Salerooms.

For more information or to consign items please contact Peter Rixon, who organises the collectors sales, at the saleroom on 01823-332525.