The extraordinary rarity, quality and condition reflected throughout the late Tom Sage Sr.s personal collection of antique toys and trains worked in concert to achieve remarkable prices at Morphys high-profile May 29 auction. The 295-lot session, which closed at $2.6 million, represented part one of an assemblage of European and American toys amassed over a 50-year period by Sage (1939-2024). The Allentown, Pa., native was widely known for his prowess at networking internationally and, if necessary, paying above-market prices to obtain the finest examples. His foresight was amply validated on auction day, as one fabulous toy after another sailed past its high estimate and moved on to its next chapter of stewardship. As predicted, the days top lot was the auction catalogs cover piece, a ca. 1904 Ferris Wheel made by the revered German firm Marklin. One of only three or four of its type known to exist, retaining its six original gondolas, attractive stained glass, and original figures, the item had been passed down through the family of a gentleman who had worked for a Brooklyn department store and received the toy when the business closed down sometime before WWI. Sage purchased the Ferris Wheel at Sothebys in 1994 and, according to his son, Tommy Sage Jr., he thought so highly of it, he displayed it in his bedroom. It ended its bidding run at a buoyant $156,000. Sage loved his Marklin boats and owned many fine productions. Several carried the prestige of appearing in the 1995 book Presslands Great Book of Tin Toys, a now-classic reference written by London-based toy expert David Pressland. One such boat was a ca. 1902-04 Marklin clockwork paddle wheel boat Boston, which presented in excellent condition with a few minor exceptions: a replaced mast, incorrect flag and a few burn spots to the hull that were incurred at some point when the clockwork mechanisms mounts were resoldered. The 19-inch tin vessel sold at Morphys for $79,950 against an estimate of $30,000-$40,000. A sizable 29-inch Marklin clockwork oceanliner Amerika, Catalog Ref 5050, was a first-series production that came with its original stand, mast and lifeboats. In excellent condition and accompanied by its original wooden box, it sailed to $60,000 against an estimate of $30,000-$50,000. Another notable Marklin clockwork boat included a Ref 5044 Milwaukee, selling for $52,800 (est. $30,000-$40,000). Sages enviable fleet of automotive toys was led by a ca. 1912 Fischer Father Christmas car with a green-coated Santa figure at the wheel. Its colorful design incorporated a lithographed-tin cargo of toys, teddy bears, fruit, candy and other treats the holiday gift-giver might leave in childrens Christmas stockings. In mint condition, it raced to $84,000 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000. Several cars were also actual book examples seen in the aforementioned David Pressland reference. The first of three such vehicles detailed in this report, a green ca. 1909 Marklin Ref 5214/1 hand-painted clockwork-powered limousine, included an original Marklin chauffeur as well as original tires and lamps. Measuring 11 inches in length and graded excellent to near-mint, it made a stylish impression, selling for $72,000 against an estimate of $40,000-$60,000. From the rail toys in Sages collection, an especially exciting Marklin entry (also depicted in the Pressland book) was a ca. 1900 clockwork tramway trolley with original green with red and cream paint. Near-mint with six original figures and four original catenary poles, it came equipped with 27 inches of track. Against an estimate of $20,000-$30,000, it realized $48,000. Tom Sage reveled in displaying each of his antique automotive toys alongside a Marklin streetlamp from approximately the same period of manufacture. His wonderful selection of lighting included single, double, and especially-rare triple-globe lamps. One of his best triples retained all three of its original globes, with original robins-egg-blue paint still intact on its metal lamp post. Standing an imposing 16.5 inches tall and in excellent to near-mint condition, it easily surpassed its $8,000-$12,000 estimate to score a winning bid of $24,000. After hammering the last lot of the day, Morphy Auctions founder and principal auctioneer Dan Morphy expressed his pleasure with the sessions outstanding results. From the day we first announced we would be selling Tom Sages collection, the phones started ringing. We knew the sale would draw strong interest from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond because Tom was so knowledgeable about toys and selective about what he bought, said Morphy. He always offered high-quality toys to his customers but also had a wish list of toys for his own personal collection and filled those slots one by one over the course of several decades. Many collectors didnt know what was in his private collection, which made the auction even more exciting for them. Were thrilled that we were chosen by Toms estate to handle his collection and look forward to auctioning part two on Oct. 30 at our Pennsylvania gallery. For more information, visit www.morphyauctions.com. All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.