LYNBROOK, N.Y. — Three generations of toy collecting come to market with the Haring family collection crossing the block at Weiss Auctions on Wednesday, February 21. The 500-plus lot sale includes tin ships, cast-iron mechanical banks, pressed-steel trucks, American and European electric trains, Japanese battery-operated toys — even fountain pens and soda collectibles — so there’s literally something for everyone. The catalog is now open for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.
The Haring collection traces its roots to family patriarch Jack Harling and his early fondness for Marklin trains. His son John caught the collecting bug, which expressed itself in a passion for trains and live steam-driven toys acquired during his global travels. The tradition continued with John’s son Ford, who from a young age joined his father and grandfather at shows and swap meets across the east coast. Today, Ford is the family torchbearer, focusing on antique toys, especially live steam and clockwork boats.
The sale’s top-estimated lot is a 1902 Ernst Plank Aviso live-steam gunboat in remarkable condition, with original guns, lifeboats, and anchors — which are more typically missing or replaced with reproductions. Showing only light play wear and surviving with its original paint, the boat is estimated at $20,000-$50,000.
Radiguet was a 19th-century French toy manufacturer with an emphasis on education. It produced live-steam engines, boats, and trains, and sold everything through mail order. The Haring collection includes a Radiguet live-steam gunship having a super bow forward design and all its original guns, masts, and anchors. Dated to the 1890s, the 22in ship remains in incredible condition for being more than 130 years of age. It carries an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Roullet & Decamps began in 1866 when Ernst Roullet created the first inexpensive mechanism for automating the movements of dolls. He won the World’s Fair bronze medal in 1867, and soon after, Ernst’s daughter married the shop’s mechanical engineer, Ernest Dekamp, and the company went into full-swing production. This drinking bear automaton is attributed to Roullet & Decamps and is covered in mohair which, unfortunately, can fall off when touched. The mechanism works, albeit slowly. The bear is estimated at $800-$1,500.
Corgi Toys, the die-cast line of miniature vehicles launched by Mettoy in 1956, smartly created a collectors club for its young (and old) fans, giving members access to club-exclusive offerings not otherwise available at retail. In the 1960s, Corgi issued its famous no. 468 Routemaster double-decker bus in an exclusive livery that included a House of Lords Gin banner advertisement. The Haring collection boasts a mint-in-box example complete with the original club membership insert. It is estimated at $700-$1,000.
