Does anyone recognize this gentlemen?

[ritchie]

Does anyone recognize this gentlemen? Many thanks in advance! R

mmexport1433192030166.jpg (79.17 KiB) Viewed 762 times

[GHOSTHUNTER]

No why, what has he done!

Ghosty.

[ritchie]

No why, what has he done!

Ghosty.

A collector friend has kept this image for some around 15 years or so. Over the years this friend has became a collector himself. Last night he showed me this image he's just curious who the person in the image is.

From the pic i noted regular wheels models and playsets so i assume he must be a senior matchbox collector and probably members from this forum can recognize.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

OK Ritchie, thanks for the explanation, I do not recognize him facially or from the models around him, but you might be lucky that another forum member here will know something, so leave it posted.

Ghosty.

[motorman]

I don't know his name, but he is one lucky sod to have such a wonderful collection nicely displayed like that!!

[Fred7A]

I don't know his name, but he is one lucky sod to have such a wonderful collection nicely displayed like that!!

My feelings exactly! That is a beautiful display - and he even has a bit of room for some new additions!

[Jingley]

I don't know him, but if it's not his collection he may have been caught putting a model in his pocket?

[toysnz]

I'm pretty certain that the gentleman you refer to is Maurice Wooley, formerly of Palmerston North in New Zealand. Maurice sadly passed away recently - his collection went to a nephew about two years ago as Maurice had to move into aged care and didn't have the space. I'll copy the photo down and blow it up to check... Maurice was a friend of mine over the last thirty years and I NEVER SAW HIS COLLECTION as we always met at Swapmeets or on Club Business for the NZMVC. i'm now making it my mission to see as many of the other collector's collections in my club as I can. I can say there was one collection in Christchurch that was at least as big before the retiring school teacher started sending it to the UK for auction.

BTW without blowing my own horn I think my collection is even bigger than Maurice's but not well displayed.

Ian

[toysnz]

YEP... that's Maurice all right! He made all the cabinets you see himself - BTW for those interested the big blue bus is a Fun Ho! made in New Zealand.

I'll forward the photo on to some friends now together with the story and interest it caused.

Oh - Its only just struck me to ask where your friend got the photo from....

Ian

[Taniwha]

Ian - I did think that was Maurice when I saw the picture but couldn't remember the name - you are right, it is Maurice from Palmerston North.

And, Ian, we must check each other's collections out one day! You are right - by all accounts (mainly yours lol) your own collection is pretty amazing!

Will catch up again properly in a couple of weeks - assume you'e talked to Tony about getting some tables?

Cheers,
Gavin