Hubley die-cast P-40 fighter jet plane in camouflage, from the Capt. GR Webster collection. Stephenson’s image.
SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – If antique and vintage toy collectors could keep one source a secret to themselves, it would be Stephenson’s Auctioneers’ Doll, Toy & Train Auctions. Estate specialists who cover the Greater Philadelphia tri-state area, Stephenson’s experts have access to many long-held collections that aren’t even known to the collecting hobby. The next Stephenson’s toy auction to watch for is a 300-lot event slated for Friday, August 16th. The start time is 10 a.m. Eastern, and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
A prime candidate for top-lot status is a choice Lionel Freight Train Set No. 2293W. The circa-1961 set is complete with Pennsylvania GG-1 electric locomotive, milk car, transformer car, caboose, signal posts and even the four factory vehicles toted on the auto transport car. The set is in mint condition with outstanding paint and retains both its set box and individual boxes for storing the loco, tender and freight cars.
The railway yard is brimming with other desirable toy trains, including two boxed Marx sets: an O gauge remote control set No. 4640 and an Allstate set No. 9625. Additionally there are K-Line O gauge trains and accessories; Marklin HO train cars, accessories and track; a Mantua HO set including Santa Fe engine and tender; MTH Union Pacific No. 3977 steam engine and tender; and other Lionel productions, including a boxed No. 460 Piggy Back transportation set and ZW transformer.
Some real gems await collectors in Stephenson’s final offering of vintage aviation toys from the collection of highly decorated Vietnam War pilot Captain GR Webster. Among the highlights are a tin WWI biplane with hand-painted lead pilot, probably by Soldats d’Antan Paris; a Japanese tin-litho Fury Jet wind-up flying plane, West German PN-240 tin friction Skyray jet, boxed Wilson’s of Cleveland remote control F-84 Thunderjet, and boxed ASC Japan tin-litho friction-powered F-86 Jet Fighter. The selection also includes airplane ashtrays, British and US government recognition training model aircraft, trench art model aircraft and boxed Testors BD-5 gas-engine-powered aircraft.
A wealth of other toys will be offered, with the list sounding like the window display of an early to mid-20th-century New York toy store. There are die-cast racecars from all leading manufacturers, tin-litho windups including Lehmanns, Britains circus figurines, pressed-steel trucks, boxed 1960s GI Joes, a boxed Revell Gran Turismo Racing Set and ultra-desirable Aurora monster models.
A large portion of the sale is dedicated to fresh-to-the-market dolls, led by a beautiful collection of 1950s Vogue strung Ginny walkers. Many are in their original outfits, and some retain their wardrobe trunks. Standout doll lots include a 1948-49 Ginny Cinderella, 1950s Nancy Ann-style 18-inch “Lemon Froth” show doll, 1960s Barbies, German bisque-head dolls, including examples by Armand Marseille, Bergmann, Heubach, Simon & Halbig and many other prestigious names. Madame Alexander creations include a rare Susie Q cloth doll, 1930s-40s composition Eskimo and Hawaiian dolls; a 1950s “Godey Lady” in tagged, original outfit; an all-original 1930s composition McGuffey Ana, and a 14-inch Cinderella. Other 1930s composition dolls by Madame Alexander include Snow White and Princess Elizabeth.
Ideal composition and vinyl Shirley Temple dolls offered in the sale span the 1930s to 1950s. Other coveted dolls set to cross the auction block include a Norah Wellings “Mountie,” Horsman Elizabeth Taylor in original packaging with outfits, a vintage Horsman Style 30 Mouseketeer in original box, Vogue Jill dolls, Mary Hoyer hard plastic dolls, Kewpies, Effanbee Patsy-Ann and Anne-Shirley composition dolls, Ideal Little Miss Revlon dolls and a 1950s Royal Revlon-type fashion doll.
“There are many unusual dolls in our upcoming auction, as well as many lots of doll clothing, doll parts, and doll house furniture by Schoenhut, Strombecker and Renwal. These types of items are very popular with collectors who come to our sales,” said Stephenson’s Auctioneers owner Cindy Stephenson.
Where dolls go, teddy bears and soft toys often follow. The August 16th auction is no exception and includes a US Zone Germany jointed mohair Yes/No bear and an array of 1950s Steiff animals.
A grouping of vintage Halloween collectibles adds whimsy and a festive feel to the sale selection. There are Halloween decorations and die-cuts (some by Beistle), early German Halloween streamers, and a 1925 Dennison’s crepe paper salesman’s sample book decorated with bats and witches. Glass ornaments – both boxed and loose – recall the special memories of Christmases past that every family can relate to.
Stephenson’s Friday, August 16 Dolls, Toys & Trains Auction will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time. The company’s gallery is located at 1005 Industrial Blvd., Southampton, PA 18966. Inspection is on Thursday, August 15, from 3-6 p.m., and on auction day from 9-10 a.m.
For additional information on any auction lot, call Cindy Stephenson at 215-322-6182 or e-mail info@stephensonsauction.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Hubley die-cast P-40 fighter jet plane in camouflage, from the Capt. GR Webster collection. Stephenson’s image. Lionel Freight Set No. 2293W, mint in original set box and individual boxes. Stephenson’s image. 1930s Madame Alexander Princess Elizabeth composition doll. Stephenson’s image. Simon & Halbig 1078 bisque socket-head doll. Stephenson’s image. 1950s Steiff poodles in Steiff box, and Steiff ‘Floppy Zotty.’ Stephenson’s image. Revell Gran Turismo Racing set in original box. Stephenson’s image. Grouping of vintage Halloween paper collectibles. Stephenson’s image. Assortment of vintage Christmas decorations including glass ornaments, garlands, etc. Stephenson’s image. Louis Marx ‘Marx-A-Copter’ with original box (not shown). Stephenson’s image.
