img_12-6.jpg
A c.1902 spirit-fired Märklin fire engine - £6200 at Wallis & Wallis.

Enjoy unlimited access: just £1 for 12 weeks

Subscribe now

With a brass plaque to the side of the boiler for London’s once-great toys emporium Gamages, the 19in (50cm) long, cast-iron and tinplate machine with copper boiler, expansion tank, chimney and pipework did have a few pieces missing.

However, these – two carriage lamps, driver’s seat, chimney top and hose reel – could all be replicated or replaced.

At the February 1 sale in Lewes the fire engine attracted a number of UK specialist trade bids but went over the phone to a German collector a shade under estimate at £6200.