NEW YORK — One of the earliest female animated characters, dubbed the “Queen of Cartoons,” is the unflappable Betty Boop. She has been a pop culture icon for decades, instantly recognizable for her large eyes framed with long lashes, curly hair and a button nose. Her most distinctive feature is her curvy figure that usually sports a dress short enough to expose a leg garter.
VINELAND, N.J. – One of the most exciting events ever to be held at Bertoia Auctions’ New Jersey gallery took place on March 11-12 with the sale of the spectacular Monique Knowlton antique toy collection. The globally publicized auction of mostly 20th-century European, American and Japanese toys kept collectors riveted as examples with stellar provenance commanded unheard-of prices. After the hammer fell on the last of 628 lots, Bertoia’s president and principal auctioneer Michael Bertoia confirmed to the media that the single-owner collection had achieved a grand total of $2.16 million, inclusive of 20% buyer’s premium. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.