A $3000 ceramic merlin fish ornament and $2000 dinky collectable toy car were some of the most expensive, rare and unusual items up for sale at the Dubbo Antique and Collectors’ Fair held at the weekend.

About 2000 antique enthusiasts visited the fair, which was run by the Dubbo Rotaract and Rotary Clubs.

Twenty-three dealers from South Australia, Queensland, NSW and Victoria exhibited their wares and if it was something special and rare you were after, then you didn’t have to look far.

Geoff Dark runs an antique store in Tenterfield and has been collecting antiques since he was 12 years old.

Believe it or not, Mr Dark’s most expensive antique is a 1937 green dinky toy car, not much bigger than a matchbox, worth about $2000.

“It is a big boy’s car because a little boy can’t afford it,” Mr Dark said letting out a big chuckle.

Mr Dark said the hunt for antiques was what keeps his job so interesting.

“I like finding unusual things and I love seeing people’s faces when they find something really special,” he said.

In an era when plasma TVs and modern decor don’t quite fit with period antiques, Mr Dark gets a buzz when he sees young people who are interested in timeless treasures.

“I had a boy in here before about 10 years old and his dad bought him a whole pile of Superman comics, and his face just lit up. The youngster didn’t realise that Superman was around 40 years ago,” Mr Dark said.

A ceramic merlin fish, part of the ‘Beswick’ ceramic range was also on display and at $3000 it would certainly take a very rich fisherman to purchase this item.

The merlin is part of antique dealer Roy Craswell’s collection from Brisbane.

Mr Craswell has been an exhibitor at the fair for six years.

“I’m retired so antiques are a bit of a hobby for me these days but I love this fair,” Mr Craswell said.

“Shows like Antique Roadshow have certainly made a difference and I’m seeing more younger people come to things like this,” he said.

“Just wait until young people see what things are worth and then they get interested,” he said.