From Bing to Barbie: American, Japanese, and European toys at Morphy Feb. 14-16

DENVER, Pa. – It’s toy time at Morphy Auctions, where 1,425 lots of top-notch toys and collectibles will be auctioned on Wednesday, February 14, Thursday, February 15, and Friday, February 16. Virtually every popular toy category is represented in the auction lineup, from classics such as pressed-steel automotive, European tin windups, and cast-iron mechanical banks, to modern-era and vintage favorites such as postwar Japanese tin, Barbies, and Star Wars collectibles.

More than 100 banks will cross the auction block on Day 1 and Day 2, including 56 cast-iron mechanicals. Many favorites by J. & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut are at the forefront. A near-mint ‘Bad Accident’ bank with bright colors and 97% of its paint retains its original wood factory box and is estimated at $4,000-$8,000; while an excellent-plus Boy Scout Camp bank with its original flag is estimated at $3,000-$6,000. The highest-estimated Stevens mechanical, at $10,000-$15,000, is a near-mint ‘Called Out’ mechanical bank, which has a sentry theme and was assembled from very rare bronze patterns.

Bing is represented within the sale’s approximately 50 European toy lots. A Bing Keiser Wilhelm 40in clockwork tin ocean liner with four stacks is mostly original and has 10 lifeboats. In excellent condition, it is guided by a $3,000-$5,000 estimate.

Lehmann, another revered German producer of tin toys, based many of their most popular designs on actual people Ernst Paul Lehmann encountered in everyday life or during his travels. His only purported self-indulgence was in creating the wonderful flywheel toy known as ‘Walking Down Broadway’ or, alternatively, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann’ or ‘Lehmann Family.’ It depicts a well-dressed couple out for a stroll with their pug dog on a leash. The sale features a VG-near mint example of this scarce and early toy with its original box bottom and an original pictorial label fastened to a newer lid. The estimate is $2,000-$4,000.

The train category includes productions by American Flyer, Ives, and Lionel, among others. Leading the 85-lot selection of Lionels is a prewar O-gauge Mickey Mouse Circus Train set with accessories, including all 12 of the original tickets, windup key, and a brochure showing the set for sale for $2. In excellent condition, the set is estimated at $4,000-$8,000.

In the Japanese toy category, the sale includes an Alps battery-operated Missile Robot. Pristine and appearing unused, the 15in robot is fully intact, with its dish antenna and original box with cardboard inserts. Missile Robot will step into the spotlight with a $3,000-$6,000 estimate.

Another stellar example of postwar Japanese toy excellence is a scarce lithographed-tin #98 Champion Racer. Measuring 18.5in in length, the friction-powered open racer with helmeted driver is graded excellent to near-mint and estimated at $2,000-$4,000.

The sports memorabilia category is led by an ultra-rare BBCE-authenticated 1976/’77 Topps ‘Hockey’ wax case containing four factory-sealed wax boxes. Each box contains 36 sealed 15¢ bubble gum picture-card packs. “Collectors rarely have the opportunity to acquire factory-sealed boxes of this type,” said Morphy’s Toys & Trains Department Head Tommy Sage Jr. “Morphy’s has a strong following for sports cards, especially since our auction one year ago of an unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick, which sold for $873,300. We expect a lot of interest in this outstanding Hockey wax box, which is estimated at $12,000-$16,000.”

To pop culture fans, there is no Barbie doll more desirable than the 1959 example known as blonde ponytail #850. Morphy’s will offer a very good original and boxed example of the #850 wearing the iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit and with clean original earrings. Accompanied by its stand, booklet, and a nice variety of extra clothing, accessories, and shoes, the lot is estimated at $2,000-$5,000.

Non-sports trading cards helped Hake’s end its 2023 selling season with $2.4M total

1936 Strange True Stories gum card set, which sold for $64,906 at Hake's.

YORK, Penn. — Hake’s Auctions wrapped its 2023 season with a $2.4 million sale held on November 15 and November 16 that defied a leveling collectibles market. The closed catalogs are available at LiveAuctioneers.

A 1936 Strange True Stories gum card set produced by Wolverine included 24 cards, each of which had been individually PSA-graded, from NM 7 to PR 1. The most intriguing entry was a ‘Bat Man’ card, which predated the debut of DC Comics’ superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 by three years. The complete gum card set was the only one of its type that Hake’s had presented to bidders in its 56 years of operation. With provenance to the John Grossman collection, it sold for $64,906 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

Next to make a five-figure statement was a single 1940 Gum Inc., Superman #1 gum card from the manufacturer’s set of 72 cards. It was PSA-graded 6 EX-MINT. According to the PSA census, 125 #1 cards have been graded and only seven have received a higher grade than the auction example, which realized $23,600.

A big surprise was in store when a 1970 Topps test set of 55 cards based on the country music/comedy TV show Hee Haw crossed the auction block. Each card depicts regulars from the Hee Haw cast along with the types of short, corny jokes that made the show so popular. The card set as a whole was PSA-graded 6.25, making it the #2 complete set in their census. Formerly in the Roxanne Toser collection, it swept past its $5,000-$10,000 estimate to settle at $22,066, an auction world record for such a set.

Explaining the phenomenal results achieved by the non-sports card sets, Alex Winter said: “Our bidders are students of the market. When they identify an opportunity that may never come their way again, they don’t hold back.”

Morphy’s Aug. 2-3 auction merges classic toys with pop culture memorabilia

BBCE-authenticated, unopened 1971 Topps NHL Hockey wax box containing 24 packs of 10 cards each, with a likelihood of gem-mint examples of Ken Dryden’s rookie card, or cards for HOFers like Orr, Howe and Hull included in the selection. Estimate $12,000-$24,000

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s spring toy auction, which took in $3.1 million, made headlines worldwide with its phenomenal single-owner collection of factory-boxed Star Wars figures and a sports card selection that included an $873,300 Topps baseball wax-pack brick. No other event in Morphy’s 20-year history could top that one for the amount of social media buzz or the number of pre-sale inquiries from prospective bidders. The fun will resume on August 2-3, when Morphy’s presents its summer offering of Toys & General Collectibles featuring both classic toys and pop-culture favorites: vintage sports cards, comic books and early video games. Bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.

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Herend figure puts seal of approval on SJ Auctioneers lineup, July 30

Detail of signed Herend XL sea lion in the blue Fishnet pattern, estimated at $750-$1,500
Signed Herend XL sea lion in the blue Fishnet pattern, estimated at $750-$1,500

Signed Herend XL sea lion in the blue Fishnet pattern, estimated at $750-$1,500

NEW YORK – On Sunday, July 30, SJ Auctioneers, located in the borough of Brooklyn, will conduct a sale titled Summer Smash Sterling, Toys, Collectibles. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Gallery Report: Alphonse Mucha’s ‘Seasons’ suite triumphs at Everard

ATLANTA – At the dawn of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from across the country and also the world. The March 2023 edition of Ken’s Gallery Report showcases a wealth of strong results. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Alphonse Mucha suite, $40,625, Everard Auctions and Appraisals

A complete 1896 suite of four lithographs by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), titled The Seasons, sold for $40,625 at a Winter Southern Estates and Collections auction held February 28 and March 1 by Everard Auctions and Appraisals in Savannah, Georgia. Also, a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios 12-light favrile glass gilt bronze Lily lamp brought $35,000; a signed Tabriz figural carpet went for $8,125; and an Eldred Wheeler maple secretary bookcase brought $6,875.

Chippendale walnut table, $22,500, Nye & Company Auctioneers

A circa-1765 Philadelphia Chippendale carved and figured walnut dressing table sold for $22,500 in an online-only Chic and Antique Estate Treasures auction held Jan. 25-27 by Nye & Company Auctioneers in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Also, an Edison Electric Pen, including the original box, wires and stone sharpening tool, realized $21,250; a Daum Nancy Blackbird frosted vase rose to $18,750; and a set of six Queen Anne dining chairs attributed to William Savery settled at $10,880.

Maud Lewis oil painting, CA$44,250, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A painting by the renowned Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970), titled Three Black Cats, sold for $44,250 in an online-only Canadiana & Folk Art auction held February 11 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Canada. Seven paintings by Lewis in the auction brought a combined $198,380. Also, four paintings by Nova Scotia artist Joe Norris (1924-1996) realized a total of $49,560. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Old West author / historian archive, $2,625, Holabird Western Americana Collections

An archive of material pertaining to Old West author, artist and historian Ernest L. Reedstrom (1928-2003) sold for $2,625 in Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC’s two-day Treasures from the Shelves auction held Feb. 18-19 in Reno, Nevada. Also, a USS Utah photo diary of the Tampico Affair of 1914 and the invasion of Veracruz, Mexico brought $1,750, and a circa 1894-1896 Oriental coffin flask bottle out of Lamar, Colorado, lavender in color, realized $1,500.

Eminem’s Nike sneakers, $40,625, Julien’s Auctions

Musical artist Eminem’s signed and worn Nike Air Max sneakers sold for $40,625 at a Musicares Charity Relief Auction held February 5 by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Also, Paul McCartney’s personally signed book The Lyrics brought $25,600; Taylor Swift’s signed 2020 Epiphone acoustic guitar garnered $25,000; a Joe Perry stage-played and signed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar made $22,400; and a Slash-signed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar commanded $22,400.

Hemingway book, $277,200, Freeman’s

A 1924 first edition copy of Ernest Hemingway’s book in our time sold for $277,200 at a Books and Manuscripts auction held February 2 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a Reconstruction-era map of Galveston, Texas – the only known copy to have ever been offered at auction – brought $30,240, and an inscribed association copy of Stride Toward Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memoir of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, finished at $12,600.

1958 double die Lincoln penny, $1.136 million, GreatCollections

A 1958 Lincoln cent, described as a ‘double die’ because it was mistakenly made with doubling in some letters on the coin’s obverse, sold for $1.136 million at a series of six auctions for the collection of the late Stewart Blay ending January 29 at GreatCollections of Irvine, California. It was the most ever paid for a Lincoln cent and was the finest of the three 1958 double dies known. Blay’s collection of 276 Lincoln cents, dating back to 1909 and all in mint condition, sold for a combined $7.732 million during the six days.

Pastel portrait by Beauford Delaney, $48,000, Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals

A vivid pastel portrait of a blue-eyed man by the Tennessee-born African American abstract expressionist Beauford Delaney sold for $48,000 at a Winter Auction held Jan. 28-29 by Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, a church picnic scene by the self-taught African American artist Helen Lafrance realized $25,600; a painted blanket chest from Wythe County, Virginia brought $40,960; and a Korean silver inlaid iron censer went to a determined bidder for $37,500.

C. Gilman shelf clock, $51,250, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A 19th-century B. C. Gilman (Exeter, N.H.) Boston shelf clock sold for $51,250 at a Couture, Jewelry and Fine & Decorative Art auction held February 27 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an early 20th-century Duffner & Kimberly heraldic armorial table lamp brought $4,062; a Jose Reyes (American and Filipino, 1902-1980) Nantucket friendship basket hit $3,750; and an Old Master oil painting of Christ by Charles Robert Leslie made $3,750.

1952 Topps baseball brick, $873,300, Morphy Auctions

An unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick containing eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs sold for $873,300 at a Toys, Sports Cards & General Collectibles Auction held Feb. 1-3 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Each of the eight packs held five cards and it was widely speculated they were likely from Topps’ first series. The brick could be traced back to a private purchase in Seattle in 1991. The new owner is a collector who wished to remain anonymous.

Five-volume maritime atlas, $38,525, Old World Auctions

A five-volume maritime atlas from 1764 by J. N. Bellin, including 581 maps of the world and continents, plus many regional maps and city plans and coastal charts, sold for $38,525 in a sale held Jan. 25-Feb. 8 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Virginia. Also, A New Map of Texas, with the Contiguous American & Mexican States from 1837, by Samuel Augustus Mitchell, earned $14,950; and a carte-a-figures world map created in 1652 by Claes Janszoon Visscher achieved $10,925.

Tiffany Studios window, $237,500, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery

A Tiffany Studios Jesus in a Field of Lilies window sold to a church for $237,500 at a Fine and Decorative Arts auction held January 28 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Also, a grouping of yellow diamonds from one estate, led by an 18K white gold, yellow gold and diamond ring, rang up $181,250; a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Curtain Border floor lamp achieved $100,000; and a circa-1905 Tiffany Studios Moorish and Turtle Back chandelier rose to $81,250.

Wolfgang Paalen painting, $163,000, Hindman

A vibrant untitled 1943 painting by Wolfgang Paalen sold for $163,000 at a Figuratively Speaking auction held February 10 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, two other works by Paalen, from 1947 and 1943, went for $47,250 and $20,160, respectively; two paintings by Alice Rahon, Paalen’s wife, one untitled from 1946 and one dubbed Le Chat from 1943, each went for $13,860; and a portrait of the artist and critic Florence Arquin by Kathleen Blackshear earned $9,450.

Colt Model 1847 revolver, $105,750, Rock Island Auction Company

A C Company U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker percussion revolver sold for $105,750 at a Sporting & Collector Auction ending February 17 at Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Illinois. Also, an engraved Civil War New Haven Arms Company Henry lever action rifle hit the mark for $41,125; an early serial number 5 Colt black powder SAA in scarce 44 Rimfire made $18,880; and a Civil War-era LeMat Grape Shot changed hands for $16,450.

W. Jacobs’ Salthaven$31,250, Potter & Potter Auctions

A first edition presentation copy of W. W. Jacobs’ (British, 1863-1943) book titled Salthaven, inscribed to and by Samuel C. Clemens (aka Mark Twain, 1835-1910), sold for $31,250 at a Fine Books & Manuscripts auction held February 16 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a near-fine set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s (1892-1973) the Lord of the Rings trilogy brought $19,200, and a 37-volume collection of The Works of Mark Twain realized $16,250.

Daniel Boone compass, $109,375, Heritage Auctions

A compass owned by legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone sold for $109,375 at an Americana & Political Signature Auction held Feb. 25-26 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, a carte de visite signed by President Abraham Lincoln as a donation to a Sanitary Fair held Oct. 18, 1864 in Tazewell City, Illinois earned $106,250; a circa-1857 double partner’s desk designed by Thomas U. Walter made $40,000; and a display with signatures of both Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth rose to $37,500.

Marc Chagall artwork, $8,400, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

An artwork by Marc Chagall (1887-1985), titled Daphnis et Grathon, signed and numbered (26/60), sold for $8,400 at a Midcentury, Modern Art & Contemporary Sale held January 28 by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a pair of Mies van der Rohe Barcelona leather lounge chairs left the room for $5,000; a 1981 landscape by Charles Griffin Farr (1908-1997), titled Tuolumme, reached $4,305; and Salvador Dali’s Manhattan Skyline finished at $5,700.

2007 factory-sealed iPhone, $63,356, LCG Auctions

A 2007 factory-sealed first-edition iPhone sold for a new record price of $63,356 at a Winter Premier Auction held February 19 by LCG Auctions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Also, a 1978 Star Wars Boba Fett action figure (Canada 20-Back AFA 85) realized $22,206; a 1982 Masters of the Universe Battle Ram vehicle (AFA 85) sped off with $20,920; a 1983 G.I. Joe Dragonfly vehicle (XH-1 AFA 85) brought $9,418; and a 1984 Transformers Bumble Bee (AFA 85) earned $18,353.

Orville Bulman work, $63,000, Doyle

A 1967 tropical landscape painting by Orville Bulman (American, 1904-1978), titled Les Nouveaux Familles, sold for $63,000 at a Fine Art auction held February 15 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a 1991 sculpture by Olbram Zoubek (Czech, 1926-2017), titled Eve-Arrow, attained $9,825; an unframed color lithograph after Pablo Picasso, titled Tete de Bouffon, realized $9,450; and a 1992 painting by Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951-), titled Chandelier 8, hit $8,820.

Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

 

Star Wars and sports cards land in the winners circle at Morphy’s smash $3.1M auction

Unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick of eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs, with each pack containing five cards. Extraordinarily rare and most likely from Topps’ first series. Authenticated by Steve Hart, owner of Baseball Card Exchange. Sold above high estimate for $873,300 to a private collector

DENVER, Pa.- Star Wars fans and diehard sports buffs called the shots at Morphy Auctions’ February 1-3, 2023 auction, which attracted head-spinning prices and closed the books at nearly $3.1 million. The sale featured both a phenomenal single-owner collection of early Star Wars action figures and a vintage sports card selection that included one of the most sought-after treasures of the “unopened” realm: an intact 1952 Topps baseball wax-pack “brick” that sold for a staggering $873,300. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Unopened 1952 Topps baseball ‘brick’ slams in winning bid of $873,300

Unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick of eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs, each pack containing five cards, likely from Topps’ first series. Authenticated by Steve Hart, owner of Baseball Card Exchange. Sold above high estimate for $873,300. Morphy Auctions image

DENVER, Pa. – The most buzzworthy item in the opening session of Morphy’s Feb. 1-3 Toys, Sports Cards & General Collectibles Auction finished exactly as predicted – in the #1 position. The unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick containing eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs rocketed through six-figure territory to settle at $873,300 (inclusive of 23% buyer’s premium).

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Morphy’s Feb. 1-3 auction: toys, banks, unopened Topps baseball ‘brick’ valued at $400K-$800

Unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick of eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs, with each pack containing five cards. Extraordinarily rare and most likely from Topps’ first series. As fresh as the day they were produced. Authenticated by Steve Hart, owner of Baseball Card Exchange. Estimate $400,000-$800,000

DENVER, Pa. – If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Morphy’s February 1 auction of “The Morphy Find,” an incredibly rare trove of 1970s/’80s action figures discovered in their original Kenner shipping boxes. The headline-grabbing Star Wars session creates more than enough excitement on its own, but it’s also going to usher in a high-energy three-day event that will wow collectors of all types of toys, banks, marbles and top-grade sports cards. The Pennsylvania auction house is expecting a capacity crowd and strong competition online through LiveAuctioneers. Bidding will start at 9 am sharp on all three days, February 1-3.

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Basketball, baseball showcased in Jasper52 Sports Memorabilia sale, Jan. 4

1953 image of Jackie Robinson, as he appears on his Topps baseball card from that year, estimated at $26,000-$31,000
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie basketball card, signed by the player as ‘Abdul-Jabbar,’ estimated at $3,500-$4,000
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie basketball card, signed by the player as ‘Abdul-Jabbar,’ estimated at $3,500-$4,000

NEW YORK – An iconic Jackie Robinson portrait photograph, a Lew Alcindor basketball rookie card, and a press pass to Philadelphia home games for the 1915 World Series will battle for top lot status at Jasper52’s Sports Memorabilia auction, which will be conducted on Wednesday, January 4 at noon Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Jasper52 offers Exclusive Sports Memorabilia, April 27

2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani rookie card, est. $50-$100
2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani rookie card, est. $50-$100
2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani rookie card, est. $50-$100

NEW YORK – On Wednesday, April 27, starting at 4 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will hold a sale of Exclusive Sports Memorabilia, featuring 215 lots, primarily collectible sports cards featuring stars from the realms of baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Among the prizes are a 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card; a 2004 Upper Deck SP Authentic Tom Brady card; a 2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani rookie card; two 1990-1991 Star Michael Jordan cards with gold borders; a 1997 Ultra Derek Jeter Rookie Reflections holographic card; a Topps #130 Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox card from 1969; a 2019-2020 Donruss Optic LeBron James card; a 2013 Topps Ted Williams die cut refractor card, emblazoned with the legend “Cut to the chase”; a 2000 Fleer Skybox Troy Aikman Superlatives holographic card; a 1995-1996 Upper Deck Wayne Gretzky Cool Trade die cut card; a 2020 Topps Chrome Bo Bichette rookie card; a 2018 limited edition art card of Stan Musial by Ed Vela, number 47 of 50; two 1989 rookie cards featuring Randy Johnson, one a Topps Traded issue and the other by Upper Deck; a 1963 Topps #120 Roger Maris card; a 2018-2019 Panini Prizm Wilt Chamberlain card; a 2016 Topps Triple Threads holographic card featuring Nolan Ryan; and a 2017 Topps Update Aaron Judge rookie card, to name a few. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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