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Lesney bait press

The bait press was a 55mm (2.2 inches) high gadget made for fishermen which was for compressing a block of bread into a solid piece that could be fixed to a fishing hook from which it would not come off so easily when wet. The rights to market the press were originally given to Milbournes a fishing tackle wholesaler and the press was marked as a "Lesney Milbro" product but after a year or so Lesney were not happy with the slow sales that Milbournes were generating so the name "Milbro" was removed from the press and it was offered to other wholesalers.
The press can be painted red or red and green with a varying amount of unpainted metal.
Although it was not actually a toy it is sought after by some collectors but to me personally I think it looks out of place in a cabinet of Lesney toys so it's not an item you will find in my collection. Besides Lesney did and still do make a wide variety of automotive components and I would not want those in my display cabinet either, The press was in production from 1954 to 1957.

Above: the early "Milbro" and later non milbro versions of the bait press
photo courtesy George Marshall

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 1525 The California Matchbox Collection - March 10th, 2008 Matchbox Lesney Bread Bait Press - red, green press - Mint in Good Plus red, blue and yellow carded Lesney box complete with outer trade box which is generally Good with "The Milbro" print to front and sides. Estimate: £220-£280 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £180

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 1524 The California Matchbox Collection - March 10th, 2008 Matchbox Lesney Bread Bait Press - red, bare metal unpainted press - Mint in Near Mint blue, yellow and red Lesney box, complete with outer trade box which is generally Good. Estimate: £200-£260 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £170

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 568 Matchbox Magic 19 - October 9th, 2007 Matchbox Lesney Bread Bait Press finished in red - Excellent in Near Mint red, blue and yellow carded box. Estimate: £80-£110 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £80

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 123 Matchbox Magic 19 - October 9th, 2007 Lesney Bread Bait Press - 2nd type, red body, green press - Good Plus including box. Estimate: £50-£100 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £70

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collectable toy specialists.

Lot 122 Matchbox Magic 19 - October 9th, 2007 Lesney Bread Bait Press - 1st type, red body, unpainted butterfly press - Near Mint in Excellent box Estimate: £50-£100 Bidding is now closed on this item Price Realised: £140