The World’s rarest toy was sold for one million dollars by a London company which was honoured by the Queen for its export record this week.
Mint & Boxed, which deals in antique and diecast toys and is based in the High Street, was one of 155 companies out of 1,142 who applied, to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.
The prestigious award follows a year when the international company, which began eight years ago in Hendon, expects a £27 million turnover.
Selling old toys all over the world, Mint & Boxed says it is the world leader in the market for antique toys.
The Charles hose-reel, dating from 1870, was sold to a German industrialist in New York for one million dollars.
Assistant general manager Jonathan Grant said prices for the boys range from £20 to one million dollars, but the recession had not dented what for some people was an obsessive hobby.
An international firm based in Stanmore, with a salon on the QE2, was also honoured for its floating hair, beauty and fitness business.
With 30 salons on shops all over the world the Steiner Group, based in The Broadway, also has 29 salons in England and Scotland.
Based in Stanmore since 1978, the company has seen a 350 percent rise in business in the past year.
Director of the maritime division Clive Warshaw, said: “We were delighted. We did not realise that so few who apply actually get the award.”
