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Im in no way trying to be critical,disrespectful or inconsiderate and no malice intended.I picked a few models at random and compared pics and found the following to be incorrect as far as Vectis' descriptions are concerned.
Are they over-patronizing this collection or were these descriptions done in haste.As far as i am aware thru experience with Vectis is that nMint remains nMint and Mint is exactly that,irrespective.

How does/could/should one differentiate between factory or post-factory blemishes or flaws? (i am only familiar with the #75 Ferrari factory flaws and should be described accordingly as -Mint). Who determines these blemishes/supposed factory-flaws at Vectis?
As far as i know -Mint (mint minus) does not equate to being Mint with an explanation about flaws.
Had anybody else noticed this or am i just wrong about the whole scenario?
numi

LOT 482-Mint apart from a couple of minor factory assembly marks....(CANNOT SEE THIS)
LOT 550-Mint (couple of minor factory assembly marks to leading edge of nose)....(I CAN SEE THE COMMON NOSE-CHIPPING ....occurring in blister-packs from rolling/tumbling and with slight play/handling.....post factory)
LOT 320-Mint (minor factory assembly mark to rear wing)....(CANNOT SEE THIS)
LOT 405-Mint apart from tiny pin size assembly paint chip to rear filler cap....(I COUNTED 3X PIN-HEADS)
LOT 230-Mint apart from a couple of minor box rubs to silver trim....(I COUNTED 3X PIN-HEADS)

I haven't looked at the catalogue yet but on a general note there were some models that were blemished during production, the 75a springs to mind. I've had a couple of these, near mint, but with virtually identical blemishes or flaws which were apparently caused by the masking process.

Numi,

Whilst I certainly note your concerns about the way certain lots have been described by Vectis, I feel that we should be right behind Grizzly on this one, for anyone to sell up after collecting for over 40 years is a momentous decision and Grizzly is somewhat in the Hands of the auction house now that he has committed to sell. There are bound to be a few anomolies in the catalogue description with so many variations for sale.

It is still going to be quite an event and with such a vast aray of variations to pick from i suspect it will be a very succesful auction despite any reservations you may have.

Hello to the Forum, hello Numi!

It's my part now to write something from my point of view! ---

In my own opinion the auction catalogue design and the pictures are very good. I have the same problem as you with the picky description of the condition- most of the lots you listed I bought years ago from Vectis as MINT ....

But what should I do now - I don't want to stop the sale only because of such small irritations and I only hope that collectors are not confused about "factory or post-factory blemishes or flaws"

I my opinion more models of my collection are in fact mint than written in the descriptions of the auction catalogue.... and I have a magnifying glass ....)

greetings and if you have any special questions you can contact me directly at any time! ---yours Ralph

Hi Mr Ralph,i do appreciate your time with responding.I presume u had noticed that my post did not infer on your person in any way but merely about a few random htf & rare specimens in your collection now at the hands of Vectis.
My post was clearly about glaring description discrepancies & condition augments by Vectis/their representative,nothing more and nothing reprehensive or malicious and glad u see it my way.Do appreciate the fact that im a novice and had never ever been apprehensive in quenching my curiosity ever or making even simple inquiries for that matter,or exposing my feelings at times,hence my growing knowledge about Matchbox and general.

I also appreciate your take and explanations and I understand your stance fully but key transparency should remain the keystone by Vectis in trying to dissolve an extensive & exciting collection like yours into the hands of the new buyers/collectors.
Yes, I also understand your emotional setback right now with regards to parting with your cheerful collection but look on the brighter side that you had made history as far as the Matchbox collector fraternity is concerned.Your collection is one of the biggest & best!

Although im not entitled to know the facts but here again im curious but without any reproach over this 50yr collection as I do not see some of the higher echelon models viz #62 Cream Cougar,#13 Dodge Reverse Wrecker,#36 Turquoise Diplomat,#30 Turquoise Faun Crane Truck,#69 Two-Tone Hatra,#14 Bedford Lomas rare variants,#15 GPW Rotinoff, #55 Blue SPW Police Fairlane,#59 SPW Red Fire Chief Fairlane to name a few in this auction and was wondering if u ever had them in your collection and now decided to hold them back,whether u had sold them off privately or were these the painful elusive specimens that could have brought u much closer to a near-ultimate collection.Perhaps other members on here have the same thoughts.

""But what should I do now - I don't want to stop the sale only because of such small irritations and I only hope that collectors are not confused about "factory or post-factory blemishes or flaws""" Propagating a halt with the auction because of a few "small irritations" would be foolish or near-impossible or u could find yourself facing a lawsuit.Nonetheless on a deep positive,almost all lots should sell quite comfortably and with/by surreal choice of condition and confidence knowing full well that there are zero fakes,so breathe easy.

I am sorry about this “my Vectis bungle” but for me Mint is actually that and nothing less (its just me) and I do apologize for any ill-concerns & upsets caused.
Good luck with the sale!
All the best,
numi

Hello Numi and all! In the case of any veteran collector who bought boxed Lesney regular wheels out of stores in the 1960s, we have a different set of conditions for 'Mint'. In our 'Real World Experience', at least 90% of brand new Lesneys had minor flaws that keep them from being 'perfect'. They are still brand new unused and unplayed with toys, so we owners always consider them as 'Mint', not just 'Near Mint' as Numi would classify them now in her opinion.
If you checked both versions of the #62 T.V. Service Vans I sent you Numi, you are with no exaggeration only the third after factory set of hands to have ever touched them. I looked through at least 5 of each to pick the best for you out of 'brand new store stock', but I am sure even they are not 'Perfect'. These are Mint in my old collector opinion, right out of the Lesney factory as delivered to our U.S. stores. I agree totally with Johnboy and his observations on certain castings, and also some Lesney models having 'Troubled Areas' we have all seen on them from the factory process or their own boxes they came in. There are also some fine highlights that Lesney factory paint never covers on some well known castings such as the #7 Anglia rear fins.
Not meant as a put down to you at all Numi, but my answer to you is that our factory fresh Lesneys are still Mint in our world. Flea Bites and box rubbing does not effect that classification. Perhaps we may have to call what you are searching for 'Mint Perfect'. Our 'Near mint' classification usually shows a major chip or flaw that degrades a model to that condition, not just pinpricks or flea bites seen with an eyeglass.
Different Views and different life experiences equal our definitions and expectations in life I guess............
Thanks Ralph! You are even pointing out the obvious idea that different Vectis employees have even graded your fine models differently over the years since you bought them through their company. Factory flaws and box wear are just that, and those defects are very distinctly different than high edge wear from play. Most Lesney models were never produced magnifying glass perfect, they were just cheap pocket toys we 'Kids' grew up playing with..........kwakers

Hi all anybody going to Vectis next week, we intend to go up looking forward to seeing some models that I have never seen before. I don't know whether the estimates are too high but it on the day & the web Pete

Good Luck with your Great Auction Ralph. I was hoping others might comment on the ideas of factory flaws, box flaws and Toy grading here. I now feel very lonely with my response, simply answering Numi's Post as to how other collectors felt about Vectis' grading by their 'Diecast Professionals' kwakers

kwakers wrote: I now feel very lonely with my response, simply answering Numi's Post as to how other collectors felt about Vectis' grading by their 'Diecast Professionals' kwakers

You are not lonely Dick, I completely agree with you. But I prefer to discuss about the specific variation of the models, before the emotional evaluation of the photos quality or the description of the models. Therefore, my emotional or subjective comments are rather
Antonin
Antonin

Vectis are just covering their backs, Over the years they must have had thousands of purchases returned because of an undisclosed blemish of some kind, Every one costs them money so they are just trying to cover all of the bases.