Brussels toy museum sells off entire collection after closure

The Toy Museum in Brussels is selling off its collection in order to clear out the building it was housed in, which is owned by the French Community Commission, Cocof.

The museum was established more than 35 years ago by the late André Raemdonck, a passionate collector, but has been closed since the pandemic began.

Cocof cut off its subsidies due to the poor condition of the building, which Axelle Raemdonck, one of André’s five surviving children, said spelled the end of the enterprise.

The building on Rue de l’Association was supposed to have been emptied by October of last year but the Raemdonck family is asking for an extension and holding a large sale to help clear out the inventory.

Collectors, antique dealers and museums have been offered the chance to buy items and several showpieces have already been sold, but the four floors of the old building are still full of wooden aeroplanes, tin soldiers, decorative pieces, models and more.

Raemdonck said there hads been a rush of visitors in recent days.

“Yesterday, I received more than 500 calls from people who want to come and visit,” said Raemdonck. “They’re even coming from Germany and the UK.”

The Toy Museum used to attract around 25,000 visitors annually.

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