Manufacturers represented in the sale include such coveted names as Christensen Agate, Akro Agate and Peltier. The selection includes boxed sets as well as single marbles.

One of the auction’s special highlights is an Akro Agate Kullerbubbel Gum marble set, a display that was designed to offer children a stick of gum and one agate marble for a penny. The lucky person who purchased the last stick of gum from the display box would receive the only included corkscrew “shooter” as a bonus. The boxed set with 120 marbles, 120 sticks of gum and shooter is expected to make $3,000-$5,000.

Christensen singles include three teardrop guineas. Also among the top lots by Christensen are a rare cobalt with orange and white marble, est. $1,000-$2,000; a hard-to-find red devil that is estimated at $1,500-$2,500; and a blue devil with electric-yellow stripes, similarly estimated at $1,500-$2,500. The latter two examples are pictured in all four editions of Everett Grist’s “Big Book of Marbles.” A third red devil, with yellow striping and spotting is also estimated at $1,500-$2,500.

Onionskins are led by a rare 4-panel controlled mica with faceted pontil. It has two opposing panels of almost solid red and two other opposing panels of turquoise and white with blizzard mica. Extremely hard to find in this configuration, the 1 1/8 in. marble could realize an auction price of $2,000-$3,000.

A circa-1870 marble made of gutta percha (papier mache) displays a color palette of mustard yellow, oxblood red, tan, blue and gold on a black base. Together, the colors create an iris effect. An early, seldom-encountered marble, it is in 9.5 condition and estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

A rarity known as a “birdcage” marble because of the distinctive cage-like shape its latticino forms within the glass boasts a medley of five colors. “In fact, we have never seen this many colors in a birdcage marble,” said Morphy’s marbles specialist Brian Estepp. The condition is rated 9.7 and it is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Many wonderful sulphide marbles, with figures suspended in the glass, are included in the sale, including a standing Jester, Kneeling/Praying Angel and a wonderful Painted Dog. The well-centered figure of a spotted canine with brown eyes and nose stands on a green “grass” base. It could bring $2,500-$3,500 on auction day.

Morphy’s Marble auction will take place on Saturday, May 26, 2012, commencing at 9 a.m. Eastern time. All forms of bidding will be available, including live at the gallery, by phone or absentee, and live via the Internet through Morphy Live (sign up at www.morphyauctions.com) or LiveAuctioneers.com.

For additional information on any lot in the auction, call Morphy’s at 717-335-3435 or
e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and all other auction information online at www.morphyauctions.com.

A longtime collector, Jirofsky is a member of both the MBCA and SBCCA, a reflection of his penchant for both mechanical and still banks. “We sold John’s mechanical banks in June of last year; now we have his still banks, which were his true collecting passion,” said RSL partner Ray Haradin. “There’s great diversity in his collection, especially among the painted buildings. It contains the only known example of the ‘1905 Bank.’” Having an almost mosque-like appearance with its tall spires, the 1905 Bank could cash out at $12,000-$18,000.

Another highlight is a red Palace Bank with exceptionally fine detailing and a smooth, lustrous patina. It is expected to make $10,000-$15,000.

From a different consignor comes a rare and exceptional 1890s polychrome-painted Ives Santa bank, complete with a removable wire Christmas tree accessory. The bank’s gilt-edged trail of provenance includes the distinguished Leon Perelman and Donal Markey collections. The presale estimate is $8,000-$12,000.

RSL is honored to have been chosen to handle the European train station collection of the late Dr. James Laster, whose specialty was German 1 gauge. Fifteen train stations from the Laster collection will be lined up to meet their new owners on auction day, including a large, circa-1905 Marklin Café station (1 Gauge) ex Ward Kimball collection. It could bring $18,000-$25,000, Haradin said.

A circa-1910 Bing station with patio, in excellent condition, is entered with hopes of realizing $4,000-$6,000. There will also be a host of other, smaller Bing, Marklin and J. Krauss stations from the early 1900s.

The magical Marklin name will also be represented by a circa-1895 three-tiered castle. “It’s a pristine example from the Lutz /Marklin era and should sell for $14,000-$20,000,” Haradin said. Other Marklin prizes include a horse-drawn stagecoach with driver, est. $6,500-$9,500; and a large Marklin Jolanda riverboat, est. $12,000-$18,000.

A first-rate assortment of American tin toys is highlighted by a circa-1885 Ives “Giant” locomotive. Measuring an impressive 17½ inches long, the Giant was the largest locomotive of the American clockwork-toy era. One of only four known, the entry in RSL’s sale is estimated at $12,000-$18,000.

Two other clockwork treasures to be sold are a circa-1875 Ives Stump Speaker in pristine condition, est. $5,000-$7,000; and one of only about 6 extant examples of an Ives Nursemaid, also known as “Old Aunt Chloe.” The toy is meant to depict a black nanny caring for a white infant. Estimate: $7,000-$9,000.

Cast-iron American toys exhibiting particularly fine condition include a “super-mint” circa-1905 Uncle Sam Chariot, made by Kenton Hardware and retaining an unbelievable 99.5% of its original paint. The 12-inch-long patriotic toy, whose chariot replicates an American eagle, is expected to achieve $15,000-$25,000 at auction. Right alongside it is one of the rarest of all Hubley toys, a Gondola Amusement Park Ride, with intricately cast ironwork on its wheels. The 19-inch-long toy, whose condition is rated “excellent,” is estimated at $30,000-$40,000.

A featured section of the sale is devoted to antique European character and automotive toys by such makers as Lehmann, Nifty, Schuco and the coveted French brand Fernand Martin, whose “Orange Vendor” and “Gendarme,” est. $3,000-$4,000, are rarely seen. European automotive toys will follow their category’s leader, a deluxe model Fisher Taxi with rare leather canopy and two female passengers, est. $3,500-$5,500.

A grouping of 18 character toys and other items with a black theme will be led by a circa-1895 papier-mache and cardboard Dandy Ball Toss. German made and displaying bright, appealing colors, the toy is designed so the “dandy” nods his head when a ball is successfully tossed into an opening in his midsection. Est. $5,000-$7,000.

It wouldn’t be an RSL auction without high-end cast-iron mechanical banks. The July 1 sale includes around 175 mechanicals, many in near-mint condition. Among the top lots is a circa-1886 J. & E. Stevens Bread Winners bank designed by Charles Bailey. With pristine paint, it has the potential to realize $26,000-$32,000.

Other coveted classics include a superior circa-1905 J. & E. Stevens Calamity bank, est. $35,000-$55,000; and a near-mint circa-1888 Kyser & Rex Butting Buffalo, $20,000-$30,000.

The perfect “go with” for a mechanical bank is an illustrated trade card. RSL’s sale will include approximately 10 trade cards advertising mechanical banks, including a relatively rare “Bad Accident.” Some of the cards are ex Bob Brady collection.

All forms of bidding will be available in RSL’s Sunday, July 1 auction, including Internet live bidding through www.LiveAuctioneers.com. The sale will begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with a preview from Tuesday, May 26 commencing at 12 noon through Sunday morning prior to the auction. A complimentary cocktail party preview will be held at the gallery on Thursday, May 28 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

For additional information, call Ray Haradin at 412-343-8733, Leon Weiss at 917-991-7352, or Steven Weiss at 212-729-0011. E-mail raytoys@aol.com or geminitoys@earthlink.net. Visit RSL Auction Co. online at www.rslauctions.com.

“It was a well-attended event, and the phones and Internet were very busy,” said Bertoia Auctions associate Rich Bertoia. “We’ve noticed that with each successive sale there are more and more serious bidders using alternative bidding methods. We’re reached a point with the electronic crowd where they’re 100% trusting of the catalog descriptions. A bidder will call ahead of time and ask, ‘Is this toy really excellent?’ Then after the sale they’ll call me and say it was actually better than described.”

The aforementioned Popeye on Motorcycle had an association with Bertoia’s that went way back, Rich Bertoia said. “My brother Bill bought that toy years ago after visiting the Hubley showroom in New York. It was a big deal for a small company like Hubley (of Lancaster, Pa.) to make it to the big trade show. Bill resold the toy, which was in unplayed-with condition, to collector Bob Brady. In turn, Bob sold it at auction a few years ago. The person who bought it at that particular auction, consigned it to our March 23-24 sale.”

Before the auction, Rich Bertoia was asked how he thought the toy would fare. “I said that cast iron has made a comeback, that there are a few more collectors in the mix now, and that you won’t find another one in that condition,” Bertoia said. “It ended up nearly doubling its low estimate at $19,550.”

Steam toys from the collection of the late Klaus Grutzka, who taught art at the prestigious Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., put in a strong performance. A fine Marklin rolling steam engine with foldable stack, double flywheel and other nice details topped the steam-toy group at $8,050.

There was interest from both sides of the Atlantic in European tin toys from the personal collection of Grover Van Dexter, who owned a legendary Greenwich village toy shop called Second Childhood. Van Dexter’s shop – like his personal collection – was laden with rare Lehmanns and Martins.

Van Dexter’s Lehmann Coco, a weighted-string pull toy that depicts an African native climbing a palm tree to retrieve a coconut, not only retained its paper tree leaves but also its rare pictorial box. Estimated at $1,500-$1,800, it was bid to $8,625.

A French Fernand Martin wind-up toy depicting an English soldier was made of tin and outfitted in a cloth uniform with metal helmet and gun. An unquestionably rare toy, it soared to $6,325 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,200.

Collectors love oddities, Bertoia said, and that described the German-made tinplate Deep Sea Diver of unknown manufacture. Examples of this nicely detailed tin-litho character in a primitive diving suit and domed helmet seldom appear at auction. Against an estimate of $1,200-$1,500, it claimed a winning bid of $5,750.

Depicting a character from the early newspaper comic strip “Toonerville Folks,” a Powerful Katrinka wind-up toy by Nifty swept past its $900-$1,100 estimate to realize $2,588.

“This is the type of toy that keeps comic character buyers interested. There were fewer Powerful Katrinkas made than other comic character toys. When one of them comes out of the woodwork, it gives the market a bump,” Bertoia said. “The Toonerville toys had more of a regional than national distribution. The comic strip had a rural theme, so the toys were only sent to certain pockets of the country. As a result, the toys are rare.”

A selection of antique still and mechanical banks – many in superior condition – was led by a hand-painted spelter bank depicting Santa Claus with a staff in one hand and a bag slung over his shoulder. Prices for spelter banks have continued to escalate, as the Santa bank proved when it sold for $8,625 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.

Perhaps the most unusual entry in the auction was a cast-iron figural hand, painted red and weighing more than 100 lbs. The 32-inch-tall trade sign was originally a display piece in a York, Pa., glove factory. Bertoia said he had seen only one other like it, in an Architectural Digest spread of several years ago. Bertoia’s sold the example in their sale for $6,325 – more than six times its high estimate.

Bertoia’s is known for its record prices on figural cast-iron doorstops, a collecting category in which Bertoia’s owner, Jeanne Bertoia, is an acknowledged expert.

“In this sale we included the complete range of Hubley Art Deco doorstops designed by Anne Fish, a popular English cartoonist and illustrator in the 1920s,” said Jeanne Bertoia. “Each was in beautiful condition. The Parlour Maid, which depicts a French maid serving cocktails, was in even better condition than the book example.” Estimated at $1,800-$2,500, the Parlour Maid achieved a top bid of $5,463.

Bertoia’s will present its annual Fall Sale on Sept. 21-22. On Nov. 10, the company will auction part II of the Dick Claus collection of nautical toys and boats. To contact Bertoia Auctions, call 856-692-1881 or e-mail toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Visit Bertoia’s online at www.bertoiaauctions.com.

From the Adolph Grenke collection, an early 1940s Gibbons Bock Beer can, considered the nicer of two known examples.

“No other consignments will be added. The entire two-day sale will be devoted exclusively to this outstanding single-owner collection, which we anticipate will bring well over a million dollars,” said Morphy.

Amassed over a period of more than 40 years, the Grenke collection includes as many as 500 highly collectible vintage beer cans. The can collection is regarded as one of the finest collections of its kind ever assembled, with some of the cans expected to sell for $20,000 to $60,000 each.”

The collection also includes over 400 beer taps – with many expected to realize more than $1,000 each – and a bevy of colorful advertising signs. Highlights include over 50 Gillco glass light-up signs, and two examples of late-19th-century Anheuser-Busch signs of such rarity that they are not even represented in the famed St. Louis brewery’s archive.

“What makes the Grenke collection so exciting as a whole is its condition. Mr. Grenke always adhered to very strict buying guidelines. He bought only items that were in near-mint-plus condition or better. Even when something extremely rare was offered to him, he would pass if it did not satisfy his standards for condition,” said Morphy.

Because of the importance of the Grenke collection, Morphy has enlisted the services of two noted specialists to handle the grading and description of its contents. Dan Morean of Breweriana.com will catalog the beer cans, while dealer/collector Les Jones will be in charge of the breweriana and advertising section of the sale.

Morphy Auctions will display highlights of the Adolph Grenke breweriana collection Aug. 1-4 at the 41st Annual National Assn. of Breweriana Advertising Convention, at the Springfield Hilton, Springfield, Ill.; and the Brewery Collectibles Club of America’s 42nd “CANvention,” Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Sheraton Springfield in Springfield, Mass.

Further details about the auction, as well as catalog-ordering information, will be available soon on Morphy Auctions’ website, www.morphyauctions.com.

Antique Toy World Magazine for May 2012

Morphy Auctions: Remarkable Cross-Category Selection
Still Banks: Desirable Additions to a Mechanical Bank Collection by Sy Schreckinger
Double Duty Toys by Jack Herbert
From the lake of 10,000 Lakes and Shimmering Sunsets on Water…Comes a Classic Rich Penn Auction Event
The Chicago Toy Show, Sunday, April 22, 2012
Greater York Extravaganza Nov. 27, 2011 by Barry Skelly
Now Hear This! Trackless Toy Trains by Jack Herbert
Things with Tags by Steve Butler
Julia’s Toy & Doll Auction Hits over $750K
Anticipation Builds for Victorian Casino Antiques May Auction Featuring the Getlan Collection
The 33rd Annual Miami Antique Toy Show Sunday February 10, 2013
Show Calendar
Classified Ads
The Quiz by John West

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Home Bank

DURING THE LATTER portion of the nineteenth century, several foundries primarily involved in the manufacture of cast iron mechanical banks also produced various still banks. These banks closely resembled their mechanical counterparts in both design and appearance.

The following examples, and ones that are considered by mechanical bank devotees to be worthy of display adjacent to their mechanical equivalents, include: “Hall’s Lilliput Bank” still bank, and the “Home Bank” still bank. “Hall’s Lilliput Bank” still bank was manufactured by the J. and E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut. It was originally designed as a mechanical bank by Mr. John Hall of Watertown, Massachusetts, and patented on April 24, 1877.

The “Home Bank” still bank was also a product of the J. and E. Stevens Foundry. Its creator was Mr. Doras A. Stiles of Middletown, Connecticut. It, too, was originally designed and patented as a mechanical bank. Its patent date was July 16, 1872.

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THE TOYS WE HAVE ASSEMBLED here for you today all work for a living. For none of them the hauteur of Marklin, nor the upper crust status of a Jouets de Paris. These babies were all expected to get out there and sell, seven days a week.

And so they do. Back in the days when print reigned supreme as an advertising medium, owners of delivery wagons began to appreciate the fact that their trucks were, really, rolling billboards. Came the revolution. From discreet lettering six inches high on the rear doors, brand names blossomed forth all over these vehicles. Modesty be dammed.

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Rich Penn said, “We were honored that Paul chose us to help with this important auction. We’ve been working with him for months now and we’re looking forward to May. This is a great collection and it’s going to be a great auction.”

The Auction Event will be held in Paul’s hometown of Willmar, Minnesota, with the Saturday and Sunday sessions being at the Willmar Civic Center. Friday’s uncataloged session will be at Mikkelson’s 10,000 sq. ft. storage building. That building is full of boats, motors and parts that were all part of his restoration plans. According to Paul, “Time just never allowed me to get it all done.” The Friday session
will be just for those in attendance. There won’t be internet, absentee or telephone bidding on Friday.

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HERE WE ARE AGAIN, I can’t believe a year has passed. It’s time for our 30th year show.

Tuesday & Wednesday, we are setting up the 802 tables and making sure everything was in its correct place. Thursday & Friday were spent with our family and enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner (ate too much). Saturday morning came too soon, however the weather was great, much warmer then last year. Spent Saturday putting finishing touches on putting all the signs up and getting ready to let dealers in at 5:00 p.m.

Setup is 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night, and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. About 85% of dealers setup on Saturday night. There was a whole lot of setting up-buying-and selling, and lots of talking among dealers and early buyers. What a variety of merchandise—vintage toys, dolls, action figures, Hot Wheels, pressed steel and everything else you can think of. 9:00 p.m. came fast, time to try and get some rest.

Sunday morning came quick, clear and warm, just perfect, a great morning to let the balance of dealers in and the 132 early buyers.

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Hull & Stafford. USA, produced this handsome, embossed tinplate engine about 1870, The toy is completely hand painted in red, black and cream, and reaches ten inches in length. Wheels are cast, the bell is brass, the stack is painted wood, and there’s a truly powerful keywind motor tucked away inside the boiler. “Hero” was a popular toy train name in that era, but this beauty, I think, deserves the title.

JUST ABOUT EVERY SIXTH house on your block contains, somewhere within it, a toy train set. It may be relegated to the attic or on a high shelf in the guest bedroom, but toy trains, thank heaven, are never thrown out.

Think about it. Our fascination with all trains spans every generation. We love to watch the current Amtrack passenger Expresses roar by a suburban station at 110 m.p.h. taking our hats along with them. Most Wild West motion pictures sooner or later feature a marvelous old wood burner chugging through the sagebush, and ripe for the inevitable robbery.

Mystery stories whose settings are on the fast transcontinental trains are sure best sellers. Trains possess an aura of far-away places and mystery that have a universal appeal. Besides, what good would it do to be a Lady of Mystery, swathed in veils and affecting a heavy foreign accent, if you’re strapped in a coach seat on a shuttle flight?

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Lot #595- 5-cent/25-cent Caille Bros. Twin Double

These items are currently on display at VCA’s gallery. A more formal preview will be available on May 3rd from 10am to 5pm. The auction itself will commence at 9am on each of the following three days.

Auction flyers are available free to those contacting Victorian Casino Antiques.

For those seeking a more complete array and description, a full-color, hard-bound catalog is available for purchase at $40. Additionally, all of the items can be viewed on the website: www.vcaauction.com.

Special hotel rates are available to attendees at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, by calling 1-800-675-3267 and providing the reservation agent with code 2VCA03.

Featured auction items include:

• Lot #595- 5-cent/25-cent Caille Bros. Twin Double
• Lot #597- 1-cent “Chicago” Vending Machine
• Lot #700- 1-cent Caille Bros. Globe Poker Machine
• Lot #954- 1-cent Simplex “Electricity is Life” Shock Machine
• Lot #712- 1-cent “Blinkey Eye” Soda Mint Gum Vending Machine

There’s a good chance that there will never be another coin-op auction of the size and quality of this one. But if another should occur, it will likely be conducted by Victorian Casino Antiques.

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The vast assortment of treasures this time around was a feast of over 1,400 lots. A two-day session of antique and contemporary paperweights,
lamps, rare art glass, English and French cameo followed a diverse array of American and European toys, mechanical banks, fine French and German dolls, antique advertising, salesman samples, coin-operated machines, music boxes, and other fine items the day prior for a final tally of over $2.5 Million!

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Things with Tags

The first is somewhat of a repeat or more definitively a continuation. Readers may recall the November 2010 issue of Antique Toy World. Presented therein was a Tootsietoy DeSoto Airflow with a roof imprint reading “DETROIT NEXT.” Included with that toy was a tiny 2 1/4″ by 2 5/8″ letter addressed “Dear Member.” The text therein began with “Detroit invites you and looks forward to the opportunity of entertaining you.” That is followed by text touting the benefits of having a convention in Detroit. The letter was signed by Mayor Frank Couzens. Well, Mayor Couzens gave away some Tootsietoy 1935 Fords as well.

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Now, a new generation has a chance to transport themselves to this magical era on May 12th at 10 AM when the Alex Cooper Auction Gallery will conduct this landmark sale. “Our goal is to offer an opportunity, for the advanced and novice collectors, to purchase a wonderful object from a unique Baltimore institution,” states James Plumer, Alex Cooper’s appraiser of the collection.

The large selection of handmade Victorian and early 20th century dollhouses, as well furnishing and dolls will suit all tastes. The array of early board and card games with brightly lithographed boxes are, in themselves, suitable for framing. You will find a collection of previously loved plush animals, as well as an Aladdin puppet theatre. Rounding out this eclectic collection are various tin and wood toys and brightly illustrated story and game books.

“This auction is your best chance to revert back to your early childhood or bring out your inner childhood,” comments Mr. Plumer.

The collection will be on view: Wed., May 9th, 10 AM – 4 PM; Thurs., May 10, 10 AM – 7 PM; and Friday, May 11th, 10 AM – 4 PM. The auction, comprising over 500 lots, commences Saturday May 12th at 10 AM. For more information, log onto http://antiques.alexcooper.com or call 410-828-4838.

OTSA owner Ray Haradin described the headliner collections as “an excellent match-up, since each brings something distinctly different to the mix.”

Bob Bailey, a Seattle collector who has been active in the toy soldier hobby his entire life, focused his efforts almost exclusively on early Britains. While working as a Pan Am flight attendant in the 1970s, Bailey wisely took advantage of his many layovers in London to scour the shops for Britains productions.

The late K. Warren “Mitch” Mitchell, who was from Warren, Ohio, was a respected veteran dealer and collector who began his buying and selling adventures in the 1970s.

“Mitch sold actively at shows until about the last four or five years of his life. I know many collectors who bought their first set of soldiers from him, and his reputation in the hobby has created a lot of interest in this sale,” said Haradin.

Day one of the June 2-3 auction comprises approximately 700 lots of toy soldiers made prior to 1970. Day two will cover the production period from 1970 to present day.

Among the opening sessions’ many highlights from the Bailey collection is a circa-1920 Britains boxed set #102. The 33-piece assemblage includes Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards and Irish Guard and is presented in a set box emblazoned with a spiffy gold and black printer’s label depicting the British Army. It is estimated at $3,000-$4,000.

Also from the Bailey collection, there are eight sets from Britains’ 1940 Historical Series made expressly for FAO Schwarz. “Eleven sets were produced for the series. Basically, Britains designed them as samplers, choosing figures that were already included in other sets. To have eight of these sets in one collection is remarkable,” said Haradin. The estimate range on the sets runs from $1,800 to $3,000.

One of the most exciting of the non-Britains sets is a Timpo Ivanhoe set #KN4. The coveted grouping of mounted figures includes Ivanhoe, Sir Brian De Bois Gilbert, and four others from the 12th-century Saxon warrior’s inner circle. Haradin said he has only ever seen one other set, and it lacked the Ivanhoe figure. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500.

Another lot expected to draw widespread interest is the exceptionally rare Cherilea Baseball set that includes the entire team plus umpire, housed in the original box. Ironically, the set was produced in England, where bats are meant for cricket, not baseball. The Cherilea set could drive in a winning bid of $1,500-$2,000.

An ever-popular Buck Rogers set includes the spaceman’s sidekicks and additional characters: Wilma, Ardala, Dr. Huer, the evil “Killer” Kane and robot Mekano Man. The appearance of a Buck Rogers set at auction always ignites a bidding war between Britains collectors and space toy enthusiasts. Estimate: $2,500-$3,500.

For collectors who like to show off their figures in settings, there are four Johillco for British Midwest Importers display sets. They depict, respectively: Cowboy Town, Indian Camp, Beachhead, and Crusaders with Castle. Each set comes with its correct figures – ranging from nine figures with the Old West Cowboy Town to 14 each for Beachhead and Crusaders – and is estimated at $800-$1,200.

“We’ve had a lot of calls about the Johillco sets based solely on our preview brochure,” said Haradin. “These particular display sets are very rarely seen. Previously, I had only seen one such set. Collectors love when rarities come out of the woodwork.”

King & Country is a brand whose star keeps rising with collectors. In particular, buyers seem to favor glossy, pre-1990 examples. Fourteen sets of glossy figures will be sold on day one, with many additional King & Country lots earmarked for day two.

German productions include the Heyde Fall of Troy set (partial), est. $2,000-$3,000; and circa-1905 large-scale US Gun Team at the Halt set, est. $3,500-$4,500. The opening session is rounded out with 20 mounted Lucotte French court figures, 20 Courtenay medieval knights and a nice sampling of Lou Steinberg dime store figures.

Sunday’s 500+ lots are a virtual panorama of contemporary toy soldiers. Highlights include 60 Mignot Napoleonic sets and productions by Imperial, a New Zealand company that folded five years ago. Similarly, Zulu War sets by Welsh manufacturer Trophy are expected to find favor. Trophy’s production has scaled down, and older, retired lines are becoming much more desirable.

Old Toy Soldier’s June 2-3 auction is an absentee, phone and Internet live bidding event (through LiveAuctioneers.com) that will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on both days. For additional information call 412-343-8733 or tollfree 800-349-8009. View the catalog online at www.OldToySoldiers.com or www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Morphy’s to auction Carter’s Toy Museum

For six years, Carter’s Toy Museum was a destination attraction in the upscale Indianapolis suburb of Zionsville. Brimming with character toys, pedal cars, pressed-steel vehicles, railroadiana, BB guns and Western toys, the museum reflected the passion and commitment of its owner, Robert Carter, who passed away on Aug. 9, 2011.

Mr. Carter never missed a local auction if it had a toy in it that appealed to him, and he liked his toys in all shapes and sizes. The museum’s collection also includes a 2/3-scale 1940s operating carousel, around 50 completely restored coin-op kiddy rides that children could ride on, a 20 x 20 vintage bumper car track with fully functional vehicles, and even a life-size talking tree. With its beautiful, old-fashioned ice cream parlor, the museum was a popular venue for birthday parties – truly a place where fantasy and fun were the watchwords.

The museum building itself is a historic-looking brick structure that was actually purpose-built by Mr. Carter in 2006. No stone was left unturned in rendering an antique appearance to either its quaint façade or “turn of the century” interior, from the eyebrow windows and walk-out second-floor porch to the stamped-tin ceilings and stained-glass windows. The Carter Building, as it is known, will also be auctioned by Morphy’s during the Oct. 5-6 event.

“Morphy’s is proud to have been chosen to present Carter’s Toy Museum’s collection, and its physical building, at auction,” said Morphy Auctions CEO Dan Morphy. “This museum was a remarkable tribute to the toy collecting hobby, and we expect a great turnout at the auction.”

Much more information about the Oct. 5-6 auction of Carter’s Toy Museum will be available soon on the Morphy Auctions website.

Spurgeon’s April 28 Spring Antiques Auction, which will be held at the Mosby & Co. gallery in the Washington suburb of Frederick, Md., features 550 lots that range from sculptures, clocks and an old collection of Chinese soapstone to toys, historic Americana and a spectacular assortment of 19th- and early 20th-century posters.

The approximately 100 pieces of soapstone, to be apportioned into 30 lots, are from a single-owner collection that was started 60 years ago. “It’s a completely unpicked collection. It hasn’t been touched in 30 years,” said Spurgeon, who regards the contents as a buying opportunity for dealers or those who may be seeking a way to get into the Asian art market.

Sculptures from multiple consignors represent both European and American artists. Among them are three Frank Polk Western bronzes, including one of a cowboy and horse titled “Two Old Timers.” A bronze depicting a male archer is signed “Schwatenberg, Germany,” likely referring to Spiro Schwatenberg (1898-1922). Another noteworthy sculpture was created from wood by the Lithuanian artist Romas Kvintas.

The auction features several paintings and prints by listed artists, including a late 18th-century French religious genre painting of the Holy Family and John the Baptist; and a Dutch oil on canvas depicting a man praying before a meal. A small collection of mantel and wall clocks, mostly American in origin, are entered in the sale, as are a dozen pieces of fine porcelain, including a large Rosenthal nude with horse.

Around 110 lots are reserved for toys. The lineup includes Easter Parade toys (new/old stock), a turn of the 20th-century Buster Brown and Tige cast-iron pull toy by Watrous, a near-mint/boxed Popeye Express with circling airplane, and an Effanbee Charlie McCarthy ventriloquist doll that is part of a small collection of McCarthy toys, including automotive types. Also in the mix are a Lionel 2271 train set with GG1 locomotive, and a collection of Punch and Judy toys, books, inkwells and cap guns, including an American-made figural example by Ives. A collection of toys simulating insects includes examples from as early as the 1890s.

A full set of 12 carved wood folk art figures, probably from the 1970s, portrays the cast of characters from the Popeye cartoons. They include some of the more offbeat characters, such as Sea Hag, Alice the Goon, and The Three Birds, with the largest figure standing 89 inches tall.

More than 50 original animation cels will be offered. Most originated at Warner Bros. Studios, and some date to the 1940s.

The highlight section of the sale is the posters. Among the top lots is an untouched 1899 Alphonse Mucha poster of Sarah Bernhardt in La Tosca. The consignor, a Hollywood producer, purchased the poster in Paris in the 1950s and has owned it ever since.

A complete set of Richard Avedon Beatles posters published in 1967 by the German magazine Stern will be offered as one lot. Each of the now-famous, vibrantly hued psychedelic posters measures 19 x 27 inches.

A tremendous variety of posters will be auctioned: circa-1890 Buffalo Bill Wild West Show promos from the showman’s French tour, a circa-1895 La Marque Georges Richard poster with artwork by “PAL” of both a bicycle and early auto, and many others with a circus, magic or transportation theme. An 1896 two-sheet panoramic published by Strobridge for Barnum & Bailey is a scrupulously detailed and colorful depiction advertising a traveling Indian village whose home life and occupations are “revealed to Christian eyes in living groups of strange and curious people.”

Among the best of the magic posters is an 1870s three-sheet that came from a Florida collection. The woodblock print advertising Samri S. Baldwin, a k a “The White Mahatma,” measures 81 x 42 inches.

Lithographed by Friedlander, a 1910 Wheel of Death motorbike-racing poster presents a bizarre scene of a skeleton holding a wood-slatted velodrome with three riders going full throttle around its inner sides.

The sale also includes a large selection of black Americana, including slave collars and shackles; a 19th-century faro gambling set, complete with a Moore’s patented Derringer; and a Virginia Confederate ballot for the election of Jefferson Davis. An Indy 500 “Pacemaker” medallion awarded to driver Paul Russo will be auctioned, as well. These medallions are presented exclusively to drivers who have led laps at the famous car race, and it is known that Russo qualified for the award both in 1956 and ’57.

Mosby & Co.’s Spring Antiques Auction will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 commencing at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at the company’s gallery at 5714-A Industry Lane, Frederick, MD 21704. Preview hours are noon till 5 p.m. on Friday, 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, and by appointment during the week prior to the sale. Catered food service will be available during both auction sessions.

All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through either LiveAuctioneers.com or Proxibid.com. For additional information, call 240-629-8139 or e-mail keith@mosbyauctions.com. Visit Mosby & Co. online at www.mosbyauctions.com.

Victorian Casino Antiques Winter Auction

Particularly strong sales dominated slot machines and other coin-op devices. Some of the highlights of the auction included:

• Lot 102; Spartan “Hot Flash” which brought $2000
• Lot 137; 1-cent/5-cent Octette eight-compartment bulk
  vendor, $3100
• Lot 251; 5-cent Superior Confection Golden Mint
  Vendor Slot, $8250
• Lot 677; International Mutoscope “Punch-a-Bag”,
  $8000
• Lot 625; Cocktail Waitress w/5-cent Pace 8 All-Star
  Bell Slot, $16,500
• Lot 659; 1-cent Eclipse Cigar Trade Simulator, $5000

Read the complete article in the April 2012 issue of Antique Toy World Magazine. Subscribe today!

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