Wurlitzer tabletop jukebox ready to entertain at Miller & Miller, June 9-10
Wurlitzer Model 71 tabletop jukebox on an original Wurlitzer model 810 stand, estimated at CA$14,000-$16,000
NEW HAMBURG, Canada – Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. has planned a pair of online auctions on back to back days: the first on Friday, June 9, dedicated entirely to toys, and the second on Saturday, June 10, featuring petroliana, advertising and coin-ops. All estimates quoted are in Canadian dollars. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Headlining the two-day event will be a pair of important collections, both being offered on June 10. One is the Linden Johnson collection, featuring a treasure trove of petroliana and general store advertising, including Bowser and Wayne gas pumps and porcelain dealer signs, Coca-Cola and Orange Crush tin signs, and an assortment of Canadian general store advertising. The other is the Dr. Don Gutoski collection, which features the finest assortment of Kuntz Brewery advertising material to hit the market in some time. Also included is a lineup of Wurlitzer jukeboxes and speakers, ranging from the rare Models 71 and 61 (with stands), a 1015, and three auxiliary speakers, including models 4007 and 4008.
Detail of Wurlitzer Model 71 tabletop jukebox on an original Wurlitzer model 810 stand, estimated at CA$14,000-$16,000
Leading the selection of Wurlitzer jukeboxes and wall speakers is the Model 71 tabletop jukebox on a stand, made in America circa 1940-1941. It’s mechanically functioning and is a restored example with original toned catalin inserts and a refinished case and trim. It sits on top of a restored original Wurlitzer model 810 stand and has an estimate of $14,000-$16,000.
Canadian 1900 Kuntz Park Brewery Waterloo beer tray, estimated at CA$12,000-$15,000
There are more than 50 pieces of Kuntz Brewery advertising in the June 10 sale, led by a Canadian Kuntz Park Brewery Waterloo factory scene beer tray dating to the year 1900, comprised of lithographed tin, with vibrant colors and a factory scene (L. Kuntz Park Brewery, Waterloo, Ontario). It measures 11 by 15in, is in very clean condition and is estimated at $12,000-$15,000.
Monumental Canadian 1935 single-sided porcelain Coca-Cola building sign, estimated at CA$12,000-$15,000
The Johnson collection boasts the best in Coca-Cola, including a Vendo 44 machine, verticals and a large single-sided porcelain building sign emblazoned with the phrase “Drink Coca-Cola, Delicious and Refreshing.” Made in Canada in 1935, the monumental 4 by 8ft sign is the scarcer, earlier version of Canada’s iconic sign of the same size. It is estimated at $12,000-$15,000.
Circa-1904-1905 Caille Brothers 1-cent Mascot combination grip and lung strength tester, estimated at CA$8,000-$12,000
Antique strength testers are surefire conversation starters. Up for bid is an American, circa-1904-1905 Caille Brothers 1-cent Mascot combination grip and lung strength tester in a wood case with cast iron feet and panels, estimated at $8,000-$12,000; and an American 1924 Globe Amusement Lighthouse grip strength tester, featuring lights and a horn that sounds when the player reaches the top level of the game, estimated at $7,000-$9,000.
The Toys auction on Friday, June 9, beginning at 4 pm Eastern time, features treasures from old collections such as toys manufactured from the 1920s to the 1950s; early tin windups from Germany and France; tin windup character toys from America; hard-to-find Canadian tin, pressed steel and cast-iron toys; and Japanese friction and battery-op toys.
1920 American pre-WWI style Samuel Orkin USS New Mexico toy battleship, the largest one made, estimated at CA$6,600-$11,000
Toy makers in the sale include Lehmann, Hess, Bing, Doll, Fernand Martin, Carette, Meccano, Bandai, Yonezawa, Schuco, Lincoln and Marx. The session’s expected top lot is a 1920 American pre-WWI style Samuel Orkin USS New Mexico toy battleship, the largest one made, 25¼in long and estimated at $6,600-$11,000. The battleship, made from pressed steel and wood, has been tested and works.
Toy vehicles are hugely popular with collectors. Among the toy cars in the sale are:
1910 German Carette chauffeur-driven limousine toy, estimated at CA$1,800-$2,500
A 1910 German Carette chauffeur-driven limousine with pressed tinplate. It has been worked on, but it’s rare in any condition. This particular example has been tested and is working and moves forward and back with two separate levers. It is estimated at $1,800-$2,500.
1950s Japanese Yonezawa Diamond Racer F1 open wheeled race car with original box, estimated at CA$2,000-$2,500
A 1950s Japanese Yonezawa Diamond Racer lithographed tin plate toy. The F1 open wheeled race car with friction motor is offered in the original box, has battery-operated lights, and is in untouched condition with its original driver and windshield. It carries an estimate of $2,000-$2,500.
A German 1950 Marklin clockwork pressed tinplate limousine construction car. This post-war version of the pre-war Horch or Wanderer limousine sports two original boxes and instructions, has impeccable provenance and an estimate of $1,500-$2,000.
1890s Traders Bank of Canada architectural still bank, estimated at CA$2,000-$2,500
One more noteworthy lot on Day 1 is the Traders Bank of Canada architectural still bank, made in Canada in the 1890s from nickel-plated cast iron, with inner compartments and ephemera included. Trader banks were given on loan to families to encourage saving. Once coins were inserted, only the Trader’s Bank representative could unlock the bank to then deposit the coins. The still bank has an estimate of $2,000-$2,500.
To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection to Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., call 519-573-3710 or email info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.
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