The market is showing signs of strength across many categories. Collectors are hungry for treasures. The three-day Treasure Trove Auction in Waterloo, Iowa, to be offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 14, 15, and 16, will certainly tease the palates of many buyers. It will be a multi-course feast of delicious items to satisfy even the most voracious of appetites.
With nearly 2,000 lots, there will be a massive buffet of collecting treasures, starting with about 500 lots of toys. And Buddy “L” toys provide the main course, including over 250 lots for pressed steel collectors. Many are meticulously restored. The line-up has over 150 lots of tin wind-ups along with more cast-iron toys. The selection will include many from prominent late 19th- and early 20th-century toys makers.
Buddy “L” pieces cover the gamut of trains, tugboats, trucks in every likeness, even a K-Reproductions Roundhouse. There are enough pieces to start a Buddy “L” industrial city set-up.
Wind-up toys bring out more rarities. A General Butler wind-up (Ives), even at 140 years, can still walk. While the General is shuffling about he can be entertained by La Grove, Kemp & Webb. And for the housekeeping, look to the Gunthermann wind-up "Sweeping Parlor Maid." Another great toy, ca. 1920s German Fischer & Co., "Hi-Way Henry" windup, is patiently waiting for the right opportunity for a roadtrip to a new owner’s house.
This three-day event will be packed with an outstanding variety. There will be a great selection of country store and soda fountain items. And for Coca-Cola collectors, a massive collection of soda machines, porcelain, tin and cardboard signs, and rare calendars was consigned. A variety of other soda advertising is also included. For collectors of Breweriana, there are early trays, signs and a whimsical variety of the figural “Blatz” guys enjoying manly pastimes.
Cruising from the saloon to the auto shop, there's more in the Automobilia category: porcelain, metal and light-up signs, clocks, thermometers and miscellanies. And for the collector of smalls, coins are easy to collect and enjoy--no building on to the house or garage required for these. There are several hundred, mostly silver coins, including Morgan dollars, Franklin halves, Washington quarters, and Mercury and Roosevelt dimes. For currency aficionados, a nice consecutive serial number run of 50 dollar bills in UC condition. There are other interesting currency lots from Europe, Asia, South America and even Cuba.
Whether it be Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7 Up, RC, Root Beer, Orange Crush or even coffee, milk or juice, there is a vending machine to satisfy. Nearly all are in restored condition. “This is the largest and nicest collection of soda machines we've had the opportunity to market in over a decade. There are some fabulous machines here. The assemblage of vending machines covers just about every category: soda, candy, gum, cigars, cigarettes, and matches,” said Penn.
Perhaps the most interesting collection offered in the May auction is the Michael Jackson collection. This group of about 100 lots comes from Jackson's personally annointed “Maker of Dreams,” Rob Swinson. Swinson was the contract manager for building many of the rides in Jackson's Neverland Valley. Swinson was a close friend of Jackson's and wrote a book memorializing his time and work at Neverland. While on the ranch, Swinson was gifted many of the pieces that will be offered at auction. From top to bottom, including fedoras to shoes, fans will have an opportunity to compete for many authenticated stage-worn items covering many of Jackson's most famous concerts and tours.
"The Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, is just a half block from our office. It's a great facility and adjoins a Best Western Plus hotel, renovated last year, with parking ramp. Both are connected by an enclosed skywalk. Plus, it's within walking distance to great restaurants. Just ask for the Rich Penn Auctions special $99 room rate. We think our guests will enjoy this fun auction. The site is conveniently located in downtown Waterloo, one block off the freeway,” added Penn.
For those who can't make it, Penn offers multiple bidding options, including absentee, telephone and live bidding online through LiveAuctioneers. Full-color catalogs will be available for $40, $30 for the special Michael Jackson catalog, $60 for both. Prices realized will be posted online.
For more information, call 319-291-6688 or visit www.RichPennAuctions.com.