Morphy Auctions conducts sales year-round in many categories; the Pennsylvania-based company has an enduring leadership role in the toy community with a loyal worldwide following of antique and vintage toy, bank and figural cast-iron collectors who never miss their sales.
Morphy’s next big toy, bank and doll event will take place at their Denver, Pa., gallery on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 24 and 25, with all forms of bidding available, including absentee, by phone, or live via the Internet through Morphy Live. More than 1,500 lots are entered, including 200-plus mechanical and still banks, 200-plus boxed Marx and Buddy “L” pressed steel vehicles, over 150 trains, 150 advertising figures, a sweet selection of more than 100 candy containers, and so much more.
Among the many prized cast-iron mechanical banks in the sale is a circa-1880 Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) Roller Skating bank. When a coin is placed in the slot on the roof and the lever is pressed, skaters glide to the rear of the rink, and a male figure presents a wreath to a little girl. The Roller Skating bank is one of the most coveted of all mechanicals, and the one offered by Morphy’s is in excellent to near-mint condition. To compare how its value has climbed, a Roller Skating bank probably could have been purchased for around $2,000 in the 1960s. The estimate on Morphy Auctions’ example is $80,000-$120,000.
Another phenomenal bank is the Henry Hart “Presto” cast-iron mechanical that is the example shown on page 208 of the reference book, “Mechanical Banks,” written by Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions. This very rare bank carries a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$60,000.
A broad array of antique cast-iron doorstops includes animal, human and fantasy forms. From the animal world, the subjects include a stag, squirrel, white owl, rabbit, bear eating honey, turkey, penguin, pelican and various other birds. Among those depicting humans, a leading lot is a Judd Co. production titled “The West Wind,” numbered “1253” and estimated at $3,000-$6,000.
Nineteenth-century cast-iron horse-drawn toys will take the spotlight, as well. A true classic, Carpenter’s “Tally Ho” depicts a team of four horses, two black and two white, pulling a coach with seven passenger figures. “It’s an imposing toy at 26 inches long, and it’s beautifully designed. It looks like it’s moving even when it’s standing still,” remarked Morphy. The pre-sale estimate is $10,000-$20,000. Another American cast-iron classic, a correctly matched Ives cast-iron horse-drawn pumper and firehouse, is expected to make $3,000-$5,000.
A 1959 brunette Barbie is beach-ready wearing her sleek black-and-white striped swimsuit and cat’s-eye sunglasses. The doll is in excellent condition and comes with a pedestal, original Mattel box (also in excellent condition) and pink-cover Barbie booklet. The estimate will be $2,000-$4,000.
With eyes to the future, an extremely rare postwar Japanese “T.V. Space Patrol” is friction-operated and has an astronaut driver under a sky-blue clear plastic bubble top. As the eye-catching sky blue and cream-colored vehicle moves forward, a video camera rotates under the cockpit dome. Just to have a chance to buy the toy on its own would be a thrill for any robot and space toy collector, but this one comes with an out-of-this-world bonus: its ultra-rare pictorial box and original packing tissue. Watch it sail out the gallery door for $3,000-$5,000.
More than 150 trains by Ives, Marklin, American Flyer, Lionel and other manufacturers will be parked at Morphy’s and awaiting new destinations. Included in the mix are several coveted Voltamp productions. A group lot poised for success is comprised of three early passenger cars, a No. 2107 Elizabeth Pullman car, No. 2105 dining car, and No. 2140 Hansa observation car. The estimate for this desirable trio is $2,000-$4,000.
“Antique and vintage toys attract auction sign-ups and absentee bids almost immediately after we post a toy catalog to the Morphy Auctions website,” said Dan Morphy. “From what I’ve observed in 22 years of running an auction house, there’s no such thing as a toy or bank collector who stops collecting. Even when veteran collectors consign their lifetime collections to us, it’s not long before some of them go right back to buying, sometimes the very next day.”
Morphy’s Toy, Bank and Figural Cast-Iron Auction will be held at the company’s gallery in Denver, Pa., starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time each day.
To learn more, call 877-968-8880 or visit www.morphyauctions.com.
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.