Aviation toys from the GR Webster collection, including a Sanchis Phantom II boxed jet and a Pilen S.A. store display with 20 miniature metal planes. Stephenson’s image.
The toy, train and doll session will feature all forms of bidding, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.
The auction will open with approximately 150 lots of dolls, ranging from antique European bisques to pincushion, Kewpie and postwar plastic dolls. The earliest dolls include an 1894 Armand Marseille and other bisque-head dolls; a German china-head doll and a Gebruder Heubach bisque-head composition “winker” doll. A sizable selection of hard plastic dolls includes examples by Mary Hoyer and several appealing “strung” Vogue Ginny dolls from the 1950s. The list of fresh-to-the-market dolls continues with Madame Alexander Cissette portrait dolls and bent-knee walkers; Molly E cloth country dolls, American Girl and Gotz dolls. Cinema sweetheart Shirley Temple will even make an appearance in the form of boomer-era vinyl productions from Ideal.
Coming from a home in Rydal, Pa., is an all-original “Girl in Victorian Chair” cast-iron mechanical bank. Attributed to J. & E. Stevens, the circa-1880 bank is designed so that the dog on the little girl’s lap pivots to a forward position when a coin is deposited.
Fifty lots of exceptional airplanes and other aviation-related toys from the famed Capt. Geoffrey “GR” Webster collection will follow. A highly decorated Vietnam War aviator, Webster’s interest in 20th-century aircraft evolved into an internationally acclaimed collection of aviation toys and models built over several decades and showcased in two popular reference books he authored.
“Captain Webster always focused on condition and rarity. There are some beautiful pieces in our auction, including boxed gift sets, which collectors love,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctioneers.
An excellent Pilen S.A. (Spanish) store display set with 20 colorful metal airplanes, all intact in their proper board positions, is among the top lots to emerge from the Webster “hangar.” Additionally, there are Bachmann mini-planes in original boxes, Dinky Toy cast-iron airplanes including a Giro Plane and Lucky Boy plane; and a 999 DH Comet Airliner in original box with landscape design.
Several coveted Edison productions will be offered, including H.F. “Le Ali Degli Eroi” and H.F. “Cielo Tricolore” boxed gift sets, each with four die-cast aircraft models. There are also nine boxed Russian aircraft models and 14 boxed Polistil (Italian) airplanes made in 1976.
The Webster collection continues with Aero mini planes, a boxed French Roto-Gyre gyroscope, Siku airport accessories, Solido helicopters and a boxed Corgi British Airways Concorde. French-made toys include a Boeing 707 and Caravelle, both boxed. Rounding out the selection are Northrop Transport die-cast aircraft, Aero mini planes and a boxed French Roto-Gyre gyroscope.
Next up will be a menagerie of postwar Steiff and artist teddy bears, and a large selection of Christmas ornaments, including Italian designs of hand-blown glass and figural ornaments depicting small dolls.
Vintage toy trains from a Montgomery County (suburban Philadelphia) residence will be whistling through Stephenson’s gallery. A fine collection of German Marklin HO gauge, Lionel and American Flyer trains, many boxed and in like-new condition, will be auctioned. The Marklins include an HO No. 7028 roundhouse and No. 7186 turntable, track, accessories and transformers with original boxes and 1964 receipt. There are Marklin trains composed of locomotives and cars from multiple sets, such as the set that includes locomotive No. 3066 with boxed cars from 4605, 4607, 4621 and 4618. The second Marklin set includes loco/tender G800 with (mostly boxed) cars from the following sets: RSM800, 348/1, 348/4, 346/2 and 346/3J. Two other consignors added to the host of Marklin treasures with a quantity of track and many very good, boxed Marklin accessories, e.g., station lamps, control plates, switch panels and Z-gauge buildings.
Lionel highlights include an HO Texas Special passenger set, postwar O gauge freight set including No. 2026 steam locomotive and tender; Lionel postwar O gauge freight set including No. 2035 steam locomotive and tender, No. 3520 operating searchlight car, No. 154 automatic road crossing signal, No. 111 trestle set, and No. 1034 trainmaster. There is also a like-new Lionel No. 31960 Polar Express set in original box, plus N gauge and O gauge trains. Boxed American Flyer lots include a No.1219 passenger train set and a No. 4901-T set in original box.
Stephenson’s Friday, Oct. 19 Fall Dolls, Toys and Trains auction will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For additional information, call Cindy Stephenson at 215-322-6182 or e-mail info@stephensonsauction.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Aviation toys from the GR Webster collection, including a Sanchis Phantom II boxed jet and a Pilen S.A. store display with 20 miniature metal planes. Stephenson’s image. Bisque-head dolls from a comprehensive selection of fine dolls of all types. Stephenson’s image. Vogue ‘strung’ plastic Ginny dolls in fancy dresses and nicely detailed costumes. Stephenson’s image. Early cast-iron airplanes from the GR Webster collection. Stephenson’s image. Rare, early cast-iron airplanes from the GR Webster collection, including ‘Giro’ and ‘Lucky Boy.’ Stephenson’s image. Marklin (German) train cars in original boxes. Stephenson’s image. Marklin HO No. 7028 roundhouse and No. 7186 turntable. Stephenson’s image. Circa-1880 Girl in Victorian Chair mechanical bank attrib. to J. & E. Stevens. Stephenson’s image.
