AN established collector who sadly died left his rare action figure collection as a financial crutch for his wife and the vintage collection will be sold next month at an auction house in Cheshire.

British Toy Auctions, based on Berkeley Court in Runcorn, will be selling the ‘Andy Houldsworth Collection’, one of the largest Action Man and action figure collections to date, over three separate auctions both next month and in December.

Collector, Andy Houldsworth, spent 35 years accumulating the impressive collection which includes Action Man figures, Tommy Gunn figures, G.I Joe, modern Dragon figures, Britain’s soldiers and much more.

With some of the models being of which he first collected as a child and others he obtained over the years from toy fairs, auctions, fellow collectors and buying trips to the United States.

Auctioneer at British Toy Auctions, Vanessa Smith, said: “Andy Houldsworth sadly passed away and his wife wants to ensure the collection goes to a good home and to a collector.
“Andy has treasured the pieces in the collection, and his wife wants them to be treasured again. He has collected them over a number of years and left them to help her financially in the future.”

The lots will be split over three sales and will be offered on November 7, 21 and December 5, with the auction house anticipating the collection will be sure to raise plenty of interest.

The sale will also include a large quantity of dragon models, action figures - some of the most highly detailed action figures that have ever been produced.

For more information on the collection contact Stuart Walsh at British Toy Auctions or email enquiries@britishtoyauctions.co.uk

Many of the models hold and represent key periods in history, including World War Two figures both allied and axis troops, vintage Action Man figures first released in 1966 and a large quantity of Britains soldiers available to buyers.

And other models cover a range of subjects from the US Civil War and War Of Independence to cowboys and Indians and Robin Hood.

Representatives of the auction house said: “With such a large quantity of figures and related lots there is sure to be a great deal of interest in the sale and collectors will have the opportunity to get their hands on truly rare items.”