FAIRFIELD, MAINE, November 30, 2011. Over the past 40 years, James D. Julia Auctioneers have established themselves as one of the leading auction houses the world over. During that time, their company has evolved into four separate divisions, each of which has established their prowess. Their firearms division is unquestionably by far the leader in the world today for rare [...]
TIMONIUM, MD – Clad in age-defying cast iron, antique mechanical banks made another bulletproof run across the auction block June 4th at RSL’s 499-lot sale featuring the John Jirkofsky collection. Partner Ray Haradin – the “R” in RSL, along with Steven and Leon Weiss – said the sale held at Opfer Auctions’ gallery attracted around 160 online bidders and another [...]
BY SY SCHRECKINGER THE WORLD OF MECHANICAL banks encompasses a multitude of subjects and a variety of themes. Over the years avid collectors have been known to discuss and, occasionally, ponder over the intricacies of individual examples. In many instances, color variations of particular banks have provoked interesting theories and speculation. Those variations exhibiting highly chromatic differences are often favored [...]
BY SY SCHRECKINGER ONE OF THE MOST popular categories of both still and mechanical banks is the representation of a building, whether it be a commercial, residential or historical structure. Interestingly, the very first patented, commercially produced cast iron mechanical bank was introduced in 1869. Its subject was a bank building familiarly known as “Halls Excelsior”. In contrast, those mechanicals [...]
VINELAND, NJ – It took weeks to catalog the enormous array of beautiful toys, banks and doorstops chosen for Bertoia Auctions’ June 10-11 Toys with Character sale, and gallery associate Rich Bertoia says it was worth every minute of the effort. “When collectors get this catalog, they’re going to want to take their time,” he said. “There’s literally a surprise [...]
TIMONIUM, MD – Neighborhood banks are paying a miserly rate of interest these days, but on the other side of the coin, antique mechanical and still banks are attracting a higher rate of interest than ever before. Their next test will come on Saturday, June 4, when RSL Auction Co. presents a 499-lot selection of fine banks, together with a [...]
VINELAND, NJ– The stellar collection of antique toys, banks and Americana amassed by the late Donal Markey surpassed the $2-million mark on March 25-26 at Bertoia’s in Vineland, New Jersey. The 1,034-lot auction inventory added a full spectrum of colors to the shelves of Bertoia’s gleaming glass showcases, with scores of early American folk-art objects and hand-painted signs artfully arranged [...]
BY SY SCHRECKINGER ONE SLEEPY afternoon, a very bored little girl known as Alice sat with her sister beside a riverbank. Suddenly, appearing within Alice’s vision was a White Rabbit, fully clothed and adorned wi th a pocket watch. Curiosity overcame Alice and she proceeded to follow this creature into a rabbit hole. Losing her balance, she tumbled into a [...]
DENVER, PA – This year, collectors won’t have to wait until Christmas to add a great toy, train or Barbie doll to their shelf or showcase. The second session of Morphy’s December 10-11 antiques auction can make that happen two weeks early — if you’re the winning bidder on any of approximately 850 choice lots. There will be two separate [...]
DENVER, PA – Worldwide competition for a high-end collection of antique toys resulted in a million-dollar gross at Morphy’s on July 16-17 as the central Pennsylvania auction house presented the 28-year collection of retired California architect Michael O’Hearn. “Interest in the O’Hearn collection, and in all of the toy consignments for that matter, was fierce,” said auction house owner Dan [...]
