The Mike Williams Collection of Character Toys - lots 1 to 308
Mike was born in Manchester on 04/09/1942. He was an only child and he used to call his family unit ‘The Three Musketeers’. His father moved the family down to New Milton when Mike was a little boy. He had been very ill and the warmer cleaner air was thought to be beneficial. Around 17 years old his father financed on HP an electric guitar which Mike self taught himself to play. He found another young man just round the corner from him who also played a guitar and a life long friendship with Larry began.
Mike formed various bands over the years with Larry and the most successful was the last one called Shadowlands with The BBC Radio Solent DJ Richard Cartridge as their front man and lead singer. Shadowlands played the Shadows music often with arrangements by Mike himself. Mike was the lead guitarist; while Larry was the rhythm guitarist. Mike continued playing until arthritis cruelly crippled his hands. He played at many theatre venues twice at the Bournemouth International Centre. He also was invited to play with the Bournemouth Symphony O.
Mike had always collected something in adult life. Stamps, coins in particular anything to do with the Isle of Man. He then became an avid collector of books and annuals. For many years lead figures especially Knights and civilian figures especially those that represented a way of life long gone. He then started collecting character soft toys. Flip the Frog, Brumus and Ivy, Bonzo, Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, Disney, Noddy, Hank and Silver King, BBC children’s Listen and Watch with Mother characters are among the many characters in his vast collection. It became a way of life for us both going around antique centres and toy fairs for many years. As his health deteriorated he relied on eBay and had a marvellous knack of finding very special rare items. Collecting was part of Mike's DNA alongside being a rock and roll guitarist of great talent
This sale is a show case for his knowledge and collecting ability.
Order of Auction
Day 1 - The Mike Williams Collection of Character Toys, Traditional Toys and Decorative Entertainment - 20th June 2023 at 10:30 am BST
Lots 001 to 308 - The Mike Williams Collection of Character Toys
Lots 309 to 420 - Traditional Toys
Lots 421 to 468 - Decorative Entertainment
Day 2 - Teddy Bears and Dolls’ Houses - 21st June 2023 at 10:00 am BST
Lots 469 to 506 - Collectors and Artist Teddy Bears
Lots 507 to 623 - Antique and Vintage Teddy Bears
Lots 624 to 772 - The Susan Collard Collection of Vintage and Antique Teddy Bears Part 3
Lots 773 to 1026 - Dolls’ Houses, Dolls’ House Dolls and Chattels
Day 3 - Antique and Vintage Dolls - 22nd June 2023 at 10:30am BST
Lots 1027 to 1073 - Post-war Dolls
Lots 1074 to 1178 - The Norah Wellings Family Archive
Lots 1179 to 1474 - Antique Dolls
END OF AUCTION
If you wish to consign any of your items in our forthcoming auctions, please contact us.
Please call 01635 580 595 or email mail@specialauctionservices.com to make an appointment
You can register to bid via our website www.specialauctionservices.com. If you are a successful bidder you will be emailed an invoice. Upon receipt of payment via bank transfer, your items can be made ready for collection by appointment only