In pictures: antique toy sale

The Mike Williams TV Toy, Lead Figure and Game Collection at Christie's offers a glimpse of a world with BBC Home Service and only one channel on TV.

Among the 300 lots in the sale many of the characters from Watch With Mother are represented. Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men are accompanied by Weed.

Collector Mike Williams said his toy collection began when he bought figures from a flea market and found they strongly evoked a "bygone era".

Michael Bentine, best known for The Goons and Potty Time, started his TV career in 1953 with The Bumblies. These lead figures have an estimate of £350-500.

Many of the toys show the influence of transatlantic entertainment. The auction takes place at Christie's in London on 26 March.

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