The James Walter Peck Collection

21/04/2016 Toys & Collectables

Renowned Matchbox designer from the Golden Age of British Diecast Models

Matchbox models were born out of Lesney Products in 1947, after co-owner Jack Odell designed a miniature car for his daughter to take into school. The school had decreed that children could only bring toys in which would fit inside a matchbox - and a legend of the British toy industry was born. Peck gold racer

Thanks to the extremely high level of details (designers sometimes even worked from original car blueprints), convenient size, wide range and affordable price, Matchbox models soon became a mass market success story.

Suffolk born James Walter Peck worked for Lesney Products Co Ltd between 1967-1980. Initially starting his career with Lesney as a pattern- and model-maker, he went onto become Development Engineer, Technical Manager and Project Engineer for the entire Design & Development department. Whilst being responsible for all prototypes and patterns produced between these years, this collection will focus on the Superfast, King Size Models, and Speed Kings which he worked on.

The collection comprises approximately 50 lots to include many prototype, pre-production and colour trial variants of various models, with some unlisted and unseen ideas and trial models which Lesney considered releasing. Specific items will include a resin prototype model of No.29 Racing Mini finished in gold and racing livery (estimate £300-400), a never-released resin prototype model of a Pontiac Firebird Trans AM, an unknown prototype model of a 'Fire Pig' fire engine, various ideas relating to No.63 The Freeway Gas tanker, and many more. Alongside these models we have various paperwork, sketch drawings and ideas which James Peck used during his time at Lesney.