NEW HAMBURG, Canada — Canadian mega-collector Howie Meyer’s estate came to market with all manner of Canadian-themed collectibles great and small at Miller & Miller December 9. The results were strong, occasionally surprising and highly indicative of a thriving collector base in Canada and beyond for quality pop culture items. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

The sale’s biggest surprise was a flip-flop of the two top estimated lots. Anticipated to be the big seller, Meyer’s 1968 Canadian-market Chevrolet Chevelle convertible only managed CA$60,000 ($44,260 or $54,450 with buyer’s premium), not even hitting the low of its CA$80,000-CA$90,000 estimate.

Instead, it was Meyer’s 1939 Indian 4 Model 439 motorcycle that came out on top, zooming past its CA$70,000-CA$75,000 estimate to land at CA$85,000 ($62,710 or $77,130 with buyer’s premium). Bidding started at CA$65,000 and five bids later, it was finished.

Featuring the artwork of the animated The Beatles cartoon series produced in Australia in 1965-67, Williams’ Beat Time pinball machine definitely beat its modest estimate CA$2,000-CA$2,500 with a hammer price of CA$10,000 ($7,370 or $9,075 with buyer’s premium).

Having recovered from the devastation of World War II, Marklin returned to form in the postwar period with a full line of electric trains, steam plants, tin toys, and most notably, construction sets that could be assembled into a million different final outcomes. This Marklin Wunderrad (Wonderwheel) measures 50in in diameter and is powered by a Marklin steam plant (no doubt, sold separately). Created by Marklin as a store display in the 1950s, the wheel retains its original signage and was estimated at only CA$900-CA$1,100. Bidders saw it differently, however, driving the Wonderrad to a CA$4,500 finish ($3,320 or $4,380 with buyer’s premium).