Post by Collector's Connection on Sept 27, 2004 3:55:18 GMT -5
SEPT 26, 2004
No child's play...his toy collection is worth $35,000
Kenneth Tan's fascination with characters and vehicles on two sci-fi TV shows spark a life-long hobby: the collection of die-cast models
By Arthur thingy
AS A boy growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mr Kenneth Tan never missed an episode of science-fiction TV shows such as The Thunderbirds and its sequel, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.
His love of onscreen drama led to his life's work since Mr Tan, 39, is now Golden Village's managing director as well as chairman of the Singapore Film Society.
But his particular fascination with the weird and wonderful characters and vehicles on those two iconic science-fiction shows would also spark a life-long hobby.
All those years ago, he started a collection - that he still treasures today - of die-cast models, starting with the Matchbox Thunderbirds toys, which were in very limited supply in stores even at the time.
He remembers adding about one piece every week to his die-cast model collection by the time he was eight years old.
The Thunderbirds was about a band of fearless adventurers with high-tech vehicles and equipment who took on all kinds of dangerous assignments to save the world.
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was British producer Gerry Anderson's follow up to the hugely successful Thunderbirds.
Mr Tan now has around 60 models from the Gerry Anderson shows, and more than 600 die-cast models in total.
He reckons that his total collection would be worth $35,000 if purchased today entirely from other collectors.
In his younger days, Mr Tan focused on Matchbox and Hotwheels die-cast models, but he later branched out to other brands such as Dinky and Corgi, and their model cars, trucks, buses, construction vehicles.
Dinky and Corgi are both British brands produced in the late 1970s, although Dinki models are more sturdy, use less plastic and come with less detailed interiors, Mr Tan says.
Matchbox cars are, as the name suggests, about the same size as matchboxes.
To compete with the American Hotwheels brand, Matchbox underwent a revamp and came up with 'super-fast' models to rival their faster competitors in recent years.
Mr Tan, however, only collects Matchbox models from the slower Lesney regular wheels era.
He said: 'Collection of die-cast model is an evolutionary process. Those that survive over the years then become collectibles.'
In fact, nowadays, some model cars are made just for collectors, and have labels stating that they are for adult collection and not suitable for kids. But Mr Tan avoids these 'engineered collectibles', as he calls them, and sticks to those that are produced as toys.
Many of the models that he collects are out of production, and can only be bought on the second-hand market.
When The Straits Times visited his office in Plaza Singapura, Mr Tan proudly pointed out his most expensive purchase - the famous series Weetabix (a brand of breakfast cereal) delivery van produced by Dinky in the 1940s - which cost £1,950 (S$5,967).
He displays part of his collection in his office, but keeps the bulk of it at his Holland Road condominium.
To give an idea of how these models rise in value, he says he bought a turquoise Thunderbird 2 in 1997 for £200, which sold for just 50 British pence in 1967. He estimates that it is probably worth more than £400 now.
His collection of die-cast models received a boost with the advent of the Internet, which opened up a huge marketplace of other collectors and dealers in second-hand models which he used to play with as a youngster.
Although he does not throw away any of his die-cast models, he admits that some have been lost over the years.
Half of his present collection are childhood playthings, while the other half has been acquired since 1996 through online dealers.
'The Internet offers limitless possibilities, and so do auctions and swap meets,' he says.
When asked why he usually makes purchases through a dealer, he replied: 'The more reputable ones will make sure of the authenticity of the models, since repainted ones are almost worthless.'
He explains that the price of a model depends on two factors:
# The rarity of that particular model in terms of its colour and type; and
# The physical condition of the piece, and whether it is close to its original minted state.
Common defects have to do with the paintwork - either as a result of chipping, or when the adhesive advertising decals or paintwork fade if placed in the sun for prolonged periods.
He strongly recommends a dry environment with no sunlight to display the models, while a simple dusting is required from time to time.
'I typically try to get two pieces of the same model if I really like that particular model, one to display, and one to play with,' he quipped.