Morphy’s to auction 1,200 toys, trains, cast-iron novelties July 26-27

DENVER, Pa. – The trains will be rolling at Morphy’s over the weekend of July 26-27. More than 700 railroad-related lots are entered in the big 1,294-lot Premier Toy Auction featuring all types of toys, trains, wind-ups and vehicles, as well as figural cast-iron doorstops and more. Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Topping the train group is Lot 226, a 5-piece Elektoy passenger set consisting of a complete and original brass steam locomotive with tender marked “PENN. R.R.” Likewise, the combo car is complete and original. The set’s passenger cars are lettered for “PRR” and New York, New Haven and New Hartford.” In overall very good condition, this desirable set is estimated at $2,500-$3,500. Other eye-catching lots in this section include two rare, early trolleys – one by Howard and one by Lionel – and a Delker train store display.

Leading the early American toys, a beautiful Jerome Secor clockwork Banjo Player, Lot 998, is in working order and came straight from the house of the original owner’s family. The African-American musician figure is seated on its original wood base decorated with unusual stenciling. A paper label on the back of the iron chair shows how to wind up and handle the toy. The wonderfully sculpted musician’s head is in fine condition, and its clothing and banjo are original. In very good to excellent condition, this classic American automaton is expected to strum up a winning bid of $12,000-$18,000.

Exhibiting pristine condition, a 7-inch Arcade cast-iron Andy Gump toy auto retains its original crank and back license plate. Being the “Deluxe” version, the toy also includes a blue-painted figure and white-painted wheels. Possibly the nicest known example of a comic character classic, this near-mint beauty offered as Lot 961 could reach $8,000-$12,000 on auction day.

Speaking of classics, the Bradley & Hubbard cast-iron doorstop known as “Whistling Jim” qualifies for that category. Standing 16¼ inches tall, this solid-cast figure of a barefooted boy in casual rolled-up pants, a striped shirt and cap, has a wonderful patina. Described in Morphy’s catalog as “the best example [they] have seen,” it is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

Those who appreciate the quality and ingenuity of early German toys – and that would be nearly every antique toy collector – won’t want to overlook Lot 1312, a Fisher 20-inch tin-litho airplane with wings that flap. The toy aircraft is also equipped with a pilot figure and original celluloid propellers that turn when the toy is activated. A most unusual prewar toy with European charm to spare, it could sell in the vicinity of $4,000-$6,000.

In the postwar category, Lot 1094, a Yonezawa tin-litho and painted-tin crank-wind Astro-Scout is the sale’s top robot. In working order and accompanied by its original box with inserts, the excellent to near-mint spaceman has expectations of achieving $4,000-$8,000.

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 online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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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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