The Right Formula for Tinplate Clockwork Toy Collectors

An Alfa Romeo P2 Tinplate Clockwork Toy produced by Compangie Industrielle du Jouet (CIJ) in the 1920-30s sold at auction for £3,800 in our April 2012 Fine Sale.

Of all the tinplate clockwork toy cars produced in the 20th century, none is more iconic the Alfa Romeo P2 produced by the French firm CIJ (Compagnie Industrielle du Jouet).

It was based on the Alfa Romeo P2 Grand Prix racing car designed by Vittorio Jano that raced between 1924 and 1930 with the likes of Antonio Ascari and Achille Varzi at the wheel. For any true toy collector, it is a 'must have' piece.

Produced through out the 1920s and 1930s, the P2 was available in national colours of various nations, red for Italy, silver for Germany, blue for France, green for Britain. It was a very expensive model to buy in the 1930s but was beautifully detailed with working steering wheel, knock-off hub caps, solid rubber tyres and hinged petrol and radiator caps. The illustrated Alfa sold for £3,800 in our April 2012 Fine Sale.

Other Automobilia interest in our April 2012 Fine Art Sale included an album of photographs, from the pre-war era, showing ERA's, Riley's and others at hill climbs and on various racing circuits including Crystal Palace. There were approximately forty photographs, mostly laid down but some loose and the album sold for £620.