Bertoia Auctions: Remembering Martin Maloy

While the imaginative creations of 19th- and 20th-cen- tury manufacturers are at the heart of antique toy col- lecting, the lifeblood of the hobby has always been the collectors themselves. The friendships and unique cama- raderie developed over decades of interaction at shows, auctions, club events and each other’s homes are what have united collectors and kept them engaged. It’s as though they all share a secret that others don’t know: that you’ll meet the most interesting people through antiques.

And that certainly includes the late Martin Maloy, a Re- naissance man whose many talents and skills formed the framework for a life that was rich and fulfilling beyond his dreams. “Marty,” who passed away on March 3, 2025, left his fellow collectors an abundance of wonderful memories from 60 years of toy-hunting alongside his lovely wife, Deborah. However, Marty was modest when it came to talking about his accomplishments in life, so few would have known much about his fascinating background, how he and Deborah met, or what inspired them to build what would become a world-class collection of toys and other fabulous antiques. The time couldn’t be more right to share the Maloys’ story with you.

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