On Saturday, Jan. 4, Milestone Auctions in suburban Cleveland will offer collectors the opportunity to bid on treasures from the renowned pressed-steel toy collection of the late Dr. James R. Reynolds (1943-2020). An esteemed heart surgeon, hobby farmer, philanthropist and South Dakota Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Reynolds lived life with a varied list of interests that included hunting, fishing, sailing, NASCAR, spending time in the field with his dogs, and traveling. But a visit to his spacious country home left no doubt as to which hobby consumed the majority of his free time. He loved acquiring and displaying vintage pressed-steel toys, especially Buddy Ls, and had an extensive network of dealers and fellow collectors from whom he purchased rare, immaculate examples. The time Dr. Reynolds spent in pursuit of toys took him to toy shows and auctions during the late 1980s and 90s, and later, to the most famous of all pressed-steel specialty events, the Buddy L Morgue Auction of factory prototypes and samples. Reynolds prized purchases from that sale and many other sources are included in the 450 lots to be sold. The Reynolds trove is anchored by one of the most complete assemblages of early Buddy L trucks to ever come to market, including doored trucks, Buddy L Jrs, flivvers, ride-on trucks, and wood prototypes that the famed Illinois toymaker produced during the WWII era when metal was scarce. Leading the selection is the only known example of a Buddy L Insurance Patrol fitted with headlights and a bumper, complete with factory prototype tag reading 205C 1928 9LBS. All original with its original pullcord and NM paint and decals, this model never saw production. The 27-inch-long truck comes with its original box and distinctive Buddy L blue-and-white striped wrapping paper. It was the top-selling toy at the previously mentioned Buddy L Morgue auction, held March 9 to 11, 2001, which exclusively featured the collection of former Buddy L owner/president Richard Keats (1927-2024). At that event, Dr. Reynolds paid $40,700 to take home the now-legendary one-off toy. Its estimate in the Jan. 4 auction is $10,000-$20,000. Another coveted morgue auction toy is an outstanding all-original 1938 Buddy L International Shell Truck with its original pull handle and factory box. It is one of the very best examples known and will be offered with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. A rare version of a Buddy L Red Baby truck has a round floor decal and Buddy L decal on its radiator, but no International Harvester decals. This point is significant because it confirms the auction example to be one of the earliest Red Baby trucks, produced before such toys were retailed at International Harvester dealerships with added IH-logo decals. Measuring 24 inches long, this hefty production could command a winning bid of $4,000-$6,000. The collection also contains the only known original Buddy L Open Cab Red Baby. With very nice original paint and displaying correct International Harvester McCormick Deering decals, its extreme rarity is confirmed by Milestones cast iron experts who say it is the only toy of its type that they have seen in 40 years of active involvement in this category. Graded Excellent, it is estimated at $4,000-$6,000. A rare Buddy L Baggage Truck with opening doors, dual rubber tires, headlights and bumper sports attractive paint and decals. Measuring 27 inches in length, it was part of the Harold Williams collection prior to acquisition by Dr. Reynolds. Hard to find in any condition, a 26-inch-long Buddy L Tank Line Street Sprinkler Truck with rubber tires, headlights and bumper still has its original pumper mechanism. In Excellent condition, it will cross the auction block with a $2,500-$3,500 estimate. A special highlight is a sub-collection of 40-50 large-scale sculptural vehicles created by Brian Cowdery of Cowdery Toy Works, Hot Springs, Ark. Highly regarded by toy collectors, Cowderys pricey pressed-steel designs were initially offered in limited editions and are no longer in production. One of Dr. Reynolds favorites, a Flivver House Car (1920s-30s terminology for motorhome), was a one-of-a-kind special-commission piece and is marked Prototype Reynolds. The boat affixed to the House Cars roof is custom-marked Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reflecting Reynolds city of residence. Near-mint and 23 inches long, it is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. The auction of the Dr. James R. Reynolds collection of pressed-steel toys with prototypes and samples from the Buddy L factory morgue will be held at Milestones gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Pkwy., Willoughby, Ohio. Start time will be 10 a.m. ET. In addition to live bidding at the gallery, Milestone welcomes all other forms of remote bidding: absentee, phone or live online through Milestone Live, LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable. Worldwide shipping is available. For additional information, call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions except where otherwise noted.