The generation of collectors whose fondest childhood memories include Saturday morning shopping trips with Mom and Dad, should be prepared to relive the good times on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21, at Bertoia's. Their auction of 1,000-plus lots features one of the most comprehensive selections of toys the family-owned firm has ever offered, with a strong emphasis on the toys most collectors would remember from shop windows, store displays and the irresistible toy sections at Dad's favorite hardware store.
An encore round of fabulous pressed-steel automotive toys from the Jay Schoedinger collection awaits bidders. There's an extensive fleet of standard pressed-steel pieces by Buddy 'L,' Sturditoy and Keystone, all in enviable condition, but Schoedinger's toy shelves were also colorfully filled with some of the most desirable light-pressed-steel vehicles, such as Nabisco trucks, Metalcraft trucks and Buddy 'L' Flivvers.
"Jay's toys would be upgrades for almost anyone's collection," said Bertoia Auctions associate Rich Bertoia. "We offered the first grouping from Jay's collection in our March sale, and bidders' paddles were up in the air. They didn't hold back."
In addition to the Schoedinger toys, the cast-iron category includes other affinity consignments, mostly from the Midwest. There are autos, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and some farm vehicles, as well as hefty cast-iron airplanes from multiple consignors, including Schoedinger.
While on the subject of aviation toys, a first-class selection of some 30-35 German, French and English lithographed-tin airplanes, both civilian and military, spans the period of time before, during and after WWII. "From the 1930s to the 1950s, toy airplanes were as colorful as any toys, including comic character," said Bertoia. "The lithography was highly visible because the wingspans were so large. These are exactly the types of planes today's collectors love to display."
Those who favor tinplate automotive won't be disappointed with the fine array of German autos, limousines, luxury cars and racers. One of the highlights is a Carette 12-inch limousine with driver and passengers that formerly held pride of place in the late Bill Bertoia's personal collection. Another top lot is an Issmayer Gordon Bennett racer.
An array of 70-75 popular Lehmann wind-up toys - mostly from one U.S. collection - includes many favorites, some boxed. Two of the most highly prized are a Boxer Rebellion and a Ski Rolf.
A flotilla of nautical craft runs the gamut from English-made Buchner pond launches to early live-steam boats and what may be the finest Marklin ocean liner ever to cross Bertoia's auction block. Christened the "Amerika," the ship is in gorgeous original condition and measures more than 40 inches in length. It is estimated at $45,000-$65,000.
Another important section of the sale is devoted to hand-painted early American tin. The 35 specialty lots are led by a truly spectacular circa-1870s Francis, Field & Francis train locomotive with coaches. "This toy is very hard to find in all-original condition. It really is a connoisseur's piece that you would expect to see in an advanced collection," said Bertoia. "It has a ribbon design on the boiler that looks like the latticino in fine Italian paperweights. I've never seen that sort of decoration on any other toy." The train is estimated at $18,000-$22,000.
Nearly 80 whimsical tinplate penny toys will be on hand to amuse collectors with their miniature depictions of cars, boats and animals. Some are articulated and many are very early German productions.
Nearly 100 lots of comic character toys will be competing for attention, including a few that haven't appeared at a Bertoia sale in the recent past. Examples include a Jiggs Bumper Car, Gunthermann's three Candy Bears, and a Barney Google and Spark Plug tin-litho platform toy. A bevy of classics from the pre-TV era, ranging from Disney toys of all types to an Amos 'n' Andy Fresh-Air Taxi, Howdy Doody Band and a Merry Makers Band will also be on hand.
Around 130 lots of Christmas antiques will be presented as Part II of a marvelous private collection introduced at Bertoia's November 2015 sale. The lineup includes rare Santas, nodders, candy containers and belsnickles, as well as Dresdens and other exquisite ornaments. "The quality in this collection is nothing less than excellent throughout. There are so many stellar pieces, we felt collectors would prefer if we split it into two parts, so that's what we did," said Bertoia.
Bertoia's enjoyed tremendous success with their March 12 offering of the most treasured pieces from Jeanne Bertoia's personal collection of figural cast-iron doorstops. For their May 20 and 21 auction, Bertoia's will present 100 lots of doorstops and doorknockers, including many rarities, from several consignors. Among the doorstops are many coveted forms of flowers, cottages, fine ladies and other people. Highlights include Bradley & Hubbard's Little Girl Holding Dress (in superb condition), a Little Dancing Girl, which is almost never seen on the open market; Little Red Riding Hood, Messenger Boy and Large Footman (both by Fish); a Suffragette, and Colonial Ladies. From Hubley's Fred Everett series, there are examples of Three Geese, Ducks, and a Double Quail. A special surprise is the virtual kennel of full-figure dog doorstops from a collector who focused on cast-iron canines. They include a Dachshund, Beagle and Doberman, plus Hubley's Scottie, Sealyham and Pekingese. Another very rare item is an oversize Punch & Judy with advertising for Charles D. Phillips, Gloucester (England) embossed on its substantial base. "Because of its size, it's more of a display piece than a standard doorstop," said Bertoia Auctions' owner and doorstop authority Jeanne Bertoia.
A variety of doorknockers is cataloged, with decorative flowers, butterflies, birds, Buster Brown & Tige, a Little Girl Knocking on a Door, a Dog on Hind Legs Knocking on a Door, and a Sarah Symonds New England-style home. There are also some Hubley miniatures formed as animals, people, and a six-piece African-American swing band in near-mint condition.
The auction is rounded out by a small but very nice selection of mechanical and still banks. Alongside the cast-iron examples are approximately 20 lithographed-tin still banks, all in exceptional condition.
Bertoia's May 20 and 21 auction will take place at Bertoia Auctions' gallery located at 2141 DeMarco Drive in Vineland, N.J. Start time will be 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
For additional information call 856-692-1881, email toys@bertoiaauctions.com or visit www.bertoiaauctions.com.
Images courtesy of Bertoia Auctions.