Although Morphy Auctions is a full-service auction house that has achieved world-record prices for decorative art, fine jewelry and firearms, its roots are deeply embedded in the antique toy and bank community. Since opening its doors in 1997, Morphy’s has represented scores of premier collections, including the Stephen and Marilyn Steckbeck bank collection (October 2007), whose $7.7 million total set a new record for the highest-achieving, one-day, single-owner toy collection ever sold at auction.
Morphy’s will continue the tradition of bringing fresh, superior quality toys, banks and dolls to the marketplace on Wednesday and Thursday, March 13 and 14, with a 1,590-lot sale at their southeastern Pennsylvania gallery. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the internet through Morphy Live.
Prices for cast-iron mechanical banks have remained robust at Morphy sales over the past two decades, whether the bulls or bears were in charge on Wall Street. “I’ve collected them since I was a boy, and they’ve always been a fantastic investment,” said Morphy Auctions president Dan Morphy. Of the 77 outstanding mechanicals entered in the March event, Dan’s top picks start with a J. & E. Stevens “Girl Skipping Rope.” An excellent original example with strong, consistent coloring, it comes with provenance that includes the Bill Norman collection. It is estimated at $60,000-$90,000.
Following closely behind is a near-mint, all-original “Merry-Go-Round” bank made by Kyser & Rex of Philadelphia. “It’s hard to find an example of this bank that doesn’t have major issues,” according to Morphy. “This one is a beauty and was one of the prized pieces in the late Donal Markey’s collection.” The estimate will be $50,000-$80,000.
The parade of J. & E. Stevens highlights continues with a stunning example of a “Milking Cow” bank, thin-base variation (ex. Covert Hegarty collection), and football-themed “Calamity” bank (ex. Bill Norman collection). Each of these exceptional mechanicals is expected to make $40,000-$60,000. A whimsical bank known as “Professor Pug Frog’s Great Bicycle Feat” is in near-mint condition and predicted to reach $40,000-$50,000. Also having potential to finish in the top 10 are a near-mint “Bread Winners” bank, est. $30,000-$50,000, and one of the best existing examples of a “Magician” bank, with rare original wooden factory box, est. $25,000-$50,000.
A near-mint “Standing Giant” mechanical bank manufactured by H.L. Judd is long on lineage. It was previously held in the legendary collections of Ferdinand Weider, Stanley P. Sax, and financier and pioneer bank collector Edwin H. Mosler Jr. Boasting a handsome natural patina, this bank could reach $20,000-$30,000.
A tin Saalheimer & Strauss (Germany) “Smile Please” Mickey Mouse bank exhibits a colorful Art Deco motif, front and back. It features two different depictions of a toothy Mickey, one in which he is shown as a photographer.
Morphy’s will offer 95 figural cast-iron doorstops, including one of the most coveted of all forms, an appealing “Halloween Girl” made by Littco Products of Littlestown, Pa. Only four examples of this doorstop depicting a trick-or-treater with a jack-o’-lantern are known to exist. In excellent condition, this doorstop will make a sweet treat for some lucky collector when it crosses the auction block with a $15,000-$25,000 estimate.
An extensive selection of American and European tin toys will be auctioned, from comic character to automotive and German wind-up varieties. A Lehmann downhill skier “Skirolf” in very fine condition with original pictorial box could schuss its way to $8,000-$14,000, while the same manufacturer’s “Walking Down Broadway,” depicting a well-dressed couple walking their dog, is offered boxed with a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.
A visitor from the future, an imposing “Machine Man” robot from Masudaya’s famous Gang of Five series, has the rare distinction of having been consigned by its original owner. A superior example of one of the most sought-after of all robots, it could bump-and-go to a new owner for $50,000-$80,000. Dozens of other space toys will follow in Machine Man’s footsteps.
Train enthusiasts can take their pick of 243 high-quality lots featuring early productions by Ives, American Flyer, Lionel, Voltamp and other “golden era” companies. Highlights include a rare Carlisle & Finch open summer trolley, est. $6,000-$10,000; a Lionel standard gauge No. 408E Brown State passenger set, est. $4,000-$6,000; and a Voltamp United No. 2120 Electric Trolley, est. $4,000-$6,000.
The lineup of 77 fine dolls and automata features many of the greatest names in European doll design, including Armand Marseille, Simon & Halbig, Kestner, Kammer & Reinhardt, and Steiner. A 17-inch Bru Jne Bebe #5 with bisque socket head and arms, wooden lower legs, and human-hair wig has a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Several automata add mechanical amusement to the grouping, including a Lambert Pierrot Serenading the Moon, est. $8,000-$12,000, and a Vichy Banjo Player, est. $6,000-$9,000.
A testament to the Swinging Sixties, an ultra-rare set of large-size Beatles nodder dolls characterizing the Beatles, was produced in 1964 by Car Mascots Inc. The 14- to 15-inch figures of John, Paul, George and Ringo were manufactured expressly for use as store display models, and only a handful of complete sets of this type are believed to have survived over the past half-century. Graded excellent, the Fab Four are expected to perform in the $10,000-$20,000 range.
Other categories featured in the two-day auction include antique marbles, cast-iron and pressed-steel vehicles, Marx toys, sports memorabilia, holiday antiques, teddy bears, Japanese toys (both tin and celluloid), and many more.
For additional information, call toll-free 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com.
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.