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Hi all, I got a call from a local collectors son who wanted to sell his dads small Matchbox regular wheels collection, about 25 pieces. I went over last night to look at them and while all the models are very near mint to mint most of the boxes were folded flat and had been ironed. I am not sure why he or maybe his dad did that as only several boxes had light creasing. About half of the models are quite common but there are several harder to find ones, nothing rare though. So my question is what is the thinking on the ironed boxes? All the boxes are complete with no taped flaps and no tears or holes...Thanks, Al

Hi Al, long time since we spoke. Had quite a few house moves. Regards boxes if its a deep crease & bent the cardboard very hard to get out, i have found with light creases its best put the box between two sheets of clean paper & leave a warm iron on it , leave it on there for a few minutes but please turn off your iron. Perhaps you can post some photos . Pete.

Hi Pete, Nice talking to you again my friend! I have not bought the collection I was reffing to yet as I was not sure if the ironed boxes would affect the value. I want to offer a fair price but if the ironed boxes would hurt the value I would have to adjust my offer accordingly.

Unless someone burns the box by ironing it, there is no harm. I ironed all my older boxes that had been handled and it made them look and sit much better. Some of the bad creases I was able to get out by soaking the interiors with a solution of starch and then ironing out the creases. The starch left the box nice and firm with a new (or minty) box like temper. As has been mentioned, you want to place a clean sheet of white paper under and over the box before ironing and use medium heat (no steam).

Maybe the empty boxes were folded flat for easier storage and they were ironed to help with the folding process before being put away in storage.

Ghosthunter.

Thanks for the input, I will go ahead and make an fair offer for the collection...All the best, Al

If you succeed in securing the collection please do bring as many pictures as you can here. We always like to know what hides in various collections in private ownership, thanks.

Ghosthunter.

Hi Guy's, Well I made an offer for the collection and it was accepted. I made the offer over the telephone and the guy said that sounded good to him and said he found another model and would just throw it in with the others for free. Well when I went over to pay and pick up the models he showed the me the one that he just found and I was blown away, it is a Cream bodied #14 Bedford Ambulance with Red Cross decals on the roof with guides, cream interior and 9.5 x 20 tread BPW. I told him that I would have to up my offer as this is a very desirable model. Overall I think it is a very nice collection ans I will be adding 10 of the models to my personal collection and will list the rest on eBay as soon as the covid-19 virus is over.

Really nice find and that Lomas is the killer!!!

That Lomas is great!