DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s has something sweet to offer collectors over the Feb. 14-15 Valentine’s weekend – an auction of general antiques that includes more than 1,600 lots of toys, trains, advertising, glass, pottery and much more. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Classic comic characters lead the toy category, with highlights including Popeye and friends. Lot 89, a Popeye and Sweet Pea Handcar, includes three-dimensional figures of the scrappy sailor, seated and with a pipe in his mouth, and his girlfriend Olive Oyl, who’s doing the actual rail-car pumping work. Lithographed on the handcar’s sides are images of baby Sweet Pea. The toy is estimated at $100-$300. Lot 86, a Linemar tin-litho Popeye and Olive Slinky Handcar, is entered with a $75-$200 estimate.
More than two dozen toys in the sale depict the world’s favorite mouse, Mickey. Top lots include Lot 87, a Linemar battery-operated Mickey the Magician, est. $100-$350; Lot 66, a boxed Lionel Mickey & Minnie Handcar, est. $50-$200; and Lot 97, a Lionel Santa Car with Mickey Mouse in the Christmas gift-giver’s toy sack, est. $50-$200.
A small selection of Japanese robots and space toys provides entry-level to mid-range opportunities for collectors. Lot 223, a K.O. tin wind-up Sparky Robot with original box, is cataloged with a $150-$350 estimate, while Lot 224, a boxed tin battery-operated Mr. Zerox robot with five actions and “guns” that fire from its chest could realize $200-$450.
A nice variety of dolls ranges from German bisque heads and Schoenhuts to Skookum Native American dolls and china heads. Lot 363, a Heubach 7-inch Googly doll with a bisque socket head, sleeping eyes, five-piece composition toddler body and antique human hair wig is irresistible with a $200-$400 estimate.
Several toy vehicles advertising Coca-Cola cross over into the soft-drink advertising category. Among them is Lot 914, a 1940s/50s Marx stakebed truck in bright yellow, 21 inches long and estimated at $200-$400. Lot 913, a 1950s radio in the form of a Coca-Cola cooler, could reach $250-$450.
Among the decorative stoneware offerings are Lot 1524, a deep, 9½-inch diameter Remmy bowl with stylized motif around the top edge, and Lot 1525, a 3-gallon crock stamped “F.B. Norton, Worcester, Massachusetts,” painted with the image of a bird on a branch. Each of the two items is estimated at $300-$500.
American pottery fans can take their pick of dozens of fresh-to-the-market pieces of Roseville, in a huge variety of patterns and colors. Morphy’s expects interest to be shown in all of the lots they are offering, but most especially in Lot 1546, a red Ferella 4-inch handled vase; and Lot 1547, a 5-inch Baneda vase in green. Each is estimated at $200-$250.
Beautiful art glass from several desirable makers, including Tiffany, will be auctioned. Lot 1478, an exceptional Loetz iridescent Cypriote vase with Secessionist mount is adorned with a medallion depicting two cherubs against a floral background with doves. In excellent condition, it is one of five Loetz designs in the sale and is estimated at $1,000-$1,500.
Morphy’s Feb. 14-15 auction will begin on both days at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 717-335-3435 or email info@morphyauctions.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
