London: A British boy made a big deal out of Happy Meals.
Luke Underwood, 11, had his 5,000-piece collection of posters, Happy Meal boxes, toys, and promotional displays auctioned Wednesday night, selling for USD 11,500, which includes a 15 per cent buyer's premium.
Luke, who is from South Clifton, Nottinghamshire, 220 kilometers north of London, said that it was tough to put the collection under the hammer.
"It was sad to see it go," he said on a telephone interview on his way home from school. "We just needed the room. It was on the landing. It was everywhere."
Unique Auctions' owner Terry Woodcock said he had no idea the memorabilia would sell.
"I didn't think people would be interested in McDonald's toys. I've never been so wrong about an auction in 20 years," he said.
Woodcock said that people from around the world - including the US, Germany and Australia - bought pieces of the collection. One man paid USD 420 for a 101 Dalmatians toy to finish his own collection.
Luke's father, Philip, had bought most of the collection for his son four years ago for USD 350, and they've been adding to it.