Comic characters, robots, automotive toys line up at Morphy’s, Feb. 15

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions’ first major toy sale of 2014, slated for Saturday, February 15, will feature more than 856 lots and dozens of collecting categories. The event will start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The fun begins with a sci-fi offering of more than 250 robot and space-toy lots. Some of the highlights include Lot 5, a boxed X9 Space Robot Car, estimate $3,000-$4,500; Lot 47, a painted tin, crank-wind Astro Scout, $5,000-$7,000; and Lot 48, a scarce, boxed Television Robot, $15,000-$25,000. Lot 97, an X27 Explorer is expected to make $4,000-$6,000, as is Lot 162, a Change Man Robot. Lot 98, an unusual Pinocchio Spaziale, or “Space Pinocchio,” could reach $6,000-$9,000.

Next in line will be 250+ character and other tin toys. Many favorites from comic books and newspaper comic pages of the past will cross the auction block, including Lot 378, a Nifty Felix the Cat platform toy, $1,200-$1,800; Lot 394, a boxed Marx Popeye Baggage Express, $800-$1,200; and Lot 402, an ever-popular Hoge Popeye in Rowboat, $600-$1,200. Three items with a connection to the Man of Steel are: Lot 247, a Bandai friction Flying Spaceman Superman Cycle, $12,000-$18,000; Lot 419, a Superman Action Target Game, $800-$1,200; and Lot 421, a Superman Sirocco statue, $1,200-$1,800. A wonderful Steiff Mickey Mouse doll, entered as Lot 482, could charm a bid of $600-$1,200.

The sale continues with more than 100 mechanical and still banks, predominantly of cast iron. Key examples include Lot 550, a desirable Artillery Target Bank in near-mint condition, $18,000-$25,000; and several banks in near-mint-plus condition: Lot 552, a Patronize the Blind Man & Dog, $15,000-$25,000; Lot 556, an Artillery Bank, $8,000-$12,000; and Lot 563, a Pelican Bank, $8,000-$12,000. Lot 561, a near-mint Kyser & Rex Mammy with Spoon, tan-dress variation, could bring $18,000-$25,000; while Lot 576, a near-mint-plus Hen & Chick carries an $8,000-$12,000 estimate. Leading the group is Lot 553, a rare and coveted J. & E. Stevens Clown, Harlequin & Columbine bank, which is expected to venture well into six-figure territory, based on its estimate of $125,000-$175,000.

The banks will be followed by 100+ cast-iron toys and doorstops. Automotive toys will figure prominently, with such highlights as Lot 615, a Hubley Armored Motorcycle, $400-$800; and three Arcade toys: Lot 629, Tractor & Trailer, $800-$1,200; Lot 633, Industrial Derrick, $1,500-$2,500; and Lot 634, Tank, $400-$800. Lot 657, a Lammerts Moving Van, could deliver a winning bid of $1,000-$3,000; while Lot 666, a Dent American Oil Truck, might fetch $2,000-$4,000. Among the figural cast-iron doorstops, Lot 638, a design known as “Black Sambo,” has crossover appeal with collectors of black Americana. Its estimate is set at $1,800-$2,500.

A very nice selection of more than 50 die-cast toys includes a number of British-made Corgi favorites. They include: Lot 680, Transporter, $200-$400; Lot 681, Crane Truck, $200-$400; Lot 686, Beatles Submarine, $200-$400; and Lot 700, Corgi’s #21 Gift Set, $800-$1,200.

More than 30 lots of pressed-steel automotive toys include several classics from Buddy L, including Lot 740, an International Baggage Truck, $12,000-$16,000; and Lot 751, a Railway Express Truck, $800-$1,200. Lot 747, a store display for Banner pressed-steel trucks, carries a $1,000-$1,500 estimate.

The auction is rounded out by 100+ general toy lots. Highlights include Lot 773, a Gilbert James Bond display, $1,200-$1,800; Lot 775, a Japanese tin Harley-Davidson motorcycle, $1,200-$1,800; Lot 787, a Dooling Bros. gas-powered car, $600-$1,200; and Lot 847, an American Flyer Trolley Car. Those who favor European toys will find a plentiful assortment from which to choose, including Lot 790, a French JEP tin seaplane, $800-$1,200; Lot 802, a Carette tin boat, $1,200-$1,800; and Lot 811, a Lehmann Echo motorcycle, $1,000-$1,500.

For additional information on any item in Morphy’s Feb. 15, 2014 Toy Auction, call 717-335-3435 or email serena@morphyauctions.com. The sale will start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

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View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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