Tag Archive for: cast-iron toy

Bertoia’s Spring Signature Sale of American and European antique toys tops $1.8M

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Ives (USA) Uncle Sam clockwork perambulator, believed to be one of only two known examples, the other being the example depicted in Blair Whitton’s 1981 reference book ‘American Clockwork Toys 1862-1900.’ Sold for $72,000 against an estimate of $20,000-$40,000

VINELAND, N.J. – Bertoia Auctions welcomed spring with a beautiful selection of rare American and European antique toys and banks at their March 24-25 Signature Sale, which exceeded $1.8 million. The 708-lot event was highlighted by fine mechanical banks and bell toys from the renowned Rudd Trowbridge collection, Phil and Joan Steel’s prize collection of French-made Martin windup toys, and additional high-quality consignments. Absentee and Internet live bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.

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Yone/Yonezawa (Japan) 12in battery-operated 8 Man remote-control Thunderbird car. All original and complete with retractable roof and steerable remote control. Sensational graphics on toy and original box (some restoration). Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Huge collection of rare robots, superheroes leads Milestone’s May 27 auction

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Fantastic Nomura (Japan) battery-operated Walking Batman. All original, complete, and appears never to have been played with. All functions in working order when tested. Clean original box with great graphics of Batman, Robin and Batmobile. Estimate $6,000-$8,000

Fantastic Nomura (Japan) battery-operated Walking Batman. All original, complete, and appears never to have been played with. All functions in working order when tested. Clean original box with great graphics of Batman, Robin and Batmobile. Estimate $6,000-$8,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Today, many nations and private companies are engaged in the Space Race, but there’s no contest as to who the winner is when it comes to space toys. Japan has been the clear and unchallenged leader in the manufacture of robots and space toys since the end of World War II. The imaginative designs of Masudaya, Yonezawa, Nomura and scores of other Japanese firms of the 1950s-1970s are revered by collectors who love the toys’ fanciful looks and quirky actions, not to mention the wild artwork on their boxes. Milestone Auctions, the home of great toy collections, will offer a treasure trove of sought-after robots, space toys and dozens of other types of vintage playthings at their big May 27th Spring Premier Toy Sale. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Arcade flat-top Yellow Cab bank, cast iron with rubber wheels, 7.5in long. Estimate $2,500-$3,500. Image courtesy of Bertoia Auctions

Bertoia Auctions will thrill toy, bank and antique advertising collectors, May 11-12

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Arcade flat-top Yellow Cab bank, cast iron with rubber wheels, 7.5in long. Estimate $2,500-$3,500. Image courtesy of Bertoia Auctions

Arcade flat-top Yellow Cab bank, cast iron with rubber wheels, 7.5in long. Estimate $2,500-$3,500. Image courtesy of Bertoia Auctions

VINELAND, N.J. – Bertoia’s has a springtime treat in store for toy, bank and antique advertising collectors on Thursday and Friday, May 11-12. The Bertoia family will be hosting a 1,000-lot hybrid event that opens with a day-long cataloged gallery auction, followed the next day by a full slate of new discoveries presented in the Bertoia Basics online-only format collectors love. Sessions start at 10 am Eastern time on both days. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Famed antique toy, bank & Christmas collections unite at Bertoia’s, Nov. 17-18

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Boxed Yonezawa Atom Jet Racer, est. $20,000-$30,000

VINELAND, N.J. – Those who were immersed in the toy-collecting hobby as far back as the 1970s, ’80s or early ’90s – a golden era for toy buying – have fond memories of that time and often can recall exactly where and when they acquired certain prized pieces for their collections. The fun was not just in the acquisition of the toys, but also the friendships that developed. That sentiment certainly applies to the individuals whose blue-chip collections are featured in Bertoia’s November 17-18, 2022 Annual Fall Auction, which welcomes absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

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Antique pedals cars took the lead at Milestone’s $500K toy auction

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American National Deluxe Coupe pedal car, luxury version with opening doors, sliding windows, interior upholstery and curtains. Length: 68 inches. Sold for $66,000 against an estimate of $20,000-$40,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone Auctions gave collectors what they wanted on September 24th, rolling out a diverse offering of antique and vintage toys from the Mark Smith collection along with high-quality additions from several other consignors. The 755-lot sale was active from start to finish, with many international bidders taking part. After a long but rewarding day at the podium, auctioneer and company co-founder Miles King closed the books at $505,200 (inclusive of buyer’s premium).

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Antique toys are on a roll at Milestone Auctions, with a fresh offering on Sept. 24

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Kingsbury pressed-steel clockwork wrecker truck, 13in long, all original, very hard-to-find toy. Excellent condition. Estimate $1,000-$1,500

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – If anyone wondered whether new collectors were still entering the antique toy hobby or not, they got their answer last spring when Milestone Auctions closed the books on their headline-making Antique Toy Spectacular. Toy fans worldwide are still buzzing about the Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank that brought a record $105,000 at that sale. On September 24, Milestone will roll out a fresh offering of outstanding vintage toys from the Mark Smith Collection, with high-quality additions from other consignors.

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All aboard for toy trains at Bertoia Auctions, April 21

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Lionel standard gauge Blue Comet set with 19-inch locomotive. Estimate $2,000-$4,000

VINELAND, N.J. – Last year antique toy collectors worldwide had two very special opportunities to acquire trains and toys from the 50-year collection of the late businessman, civic leader and humanitarian Paul Cole. Bertoia’s May 21-22, 2021 and October 15-16, 2021 sessions exclusively featuring Parts I and II of Paul’s collection tallied $4.4 million, with record prices paid for prized Marklin productions. On April 21, 2022, Bertoia’s will issue a boarding call to collectors as they auction the third and final grouping of exceptional American and European trains from Paul’s legendary holdings. In addition, the sale will include European tin wind-ups, American tin, cast-iron automotive, horse-drawn and bell toys; and diminutive penny toys – all from Paul’s personal collection.

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Milestone Auctions

Milestone’s April 9 auction features prized collection of rare Popeye toys

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Linemar Japan battery-operated Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank, 11 inches, with extremely rare original box. Very clean and bright, by far the finest example known. Excellent/Near Mint. Estimate $30,000-$40,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – That swaggering, wisecracking cartoon sailor Popeye has been depicted on countless toys and memorabilia since first appearing in the Thimble Theatre comic strip in 1929. With his spinach-powered superhuman strength, he was an immediate hit with readers of all ages, gaining an even higher level of visibility in his own cartoon series that launched in 1933. Ever since his debut, Popeye – with his girlfriend Olive Oyl and their motley crew of sidekicks in tow – has been an entertaining figure in the public’s consciousness, and vintage toys designed with Popeye’s image have only continued to rise in popularity and price.

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Milestone’s big Winter Antique Toy Spectacular slated for Jan. 29

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I.Y. Metal Toys (Japan), tin friction Harley-Davidson motorcycle, 15in, all original and super clean with rich, true colors. Estimate $3,000-$4,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Antique and vintage toys played a major role in Milestone Auctions’ success in 2021. Their October 2nd toy event rocketed to $768,000, a house record for the suburban Cleveland, Ohio, company. Milestone is on track to keep that positive momentum going in 2022 with an 867-lot Winter Antique Toy Spectacular on January 29, which offers absentee or Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s welcomes holidays with antique toys & collectibles, Nov. 30-Dec. 2

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Ultra-rare circa-1950s battery-operated tin-litho ‘Electro Man’ toy robot with original box. Marked ‘SY Made in Japan.’ One of very few known examples. Provenance: F.H. Griffith collection, appeared as the cover toy on Sotheby’s catalog for the Dec. 9, 2000 auction of ‘Important Robots and Antique Toys from the Estate of F.H. Griffith.’ Estimate $100,000-$150,000

DENVER, Pa. – Many lucky antique toy collectors will be enjoying their holiday gifts early this year, thanks to Morphy’s Nov. 30-Dec. 2 gallery auction of fine toys and popular collectibles. The 1,633-lot catalog reveals a fantastic selection that ranges from early American cast-iron, German tin toys, and a famous biscuit tin collection to a trove of rare 1952 baseball cards, boxed collectible sneakers, and one of the rarest of all Japanese robots. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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