Two Exceptional Toys are

Sold at Bertoia Auctions

(May 7-8-2020) 

Please click here to visit this exceptional toy auctioneer

Mikado Mechanical Bank

(Kyser and Rex Co.)
Circa 1886

blue table version, an extraordinary design with remarkable action, coin deposited involves placing it under right hat, turning rear crank and watching, the coin reappears under left hat, intriguing and rare. Minor enhancement to face, otherwise paint appears to be original throughout with a clear-coat varnish applied to brighten and preserve paint, (Excellent Condition)

Freedman's Mechanical Bank

Manufacturer: Jerome B. Secor (Bridgeport, Connecticut,USA)

Circa 1880

Manufactured by Jerome B. Secor, Bridgeport, CT, circa 1880, less than ten known examples still exist in what has come to be considered one of the best known historically important banks ever made. The front panel reads, "Freedman's Bank," which gains its inspiration from the Freedman's Bank for newly freed slaves as established by U.S. Congress. When coin is deposited and clockwork is activated, the seated black man is able to thumb his nose, as if to give a jeering look to all depositors, quite a remarkable concept that must be seen to be appreciated!

Both of these toy mechanical banks are extremely rare, hence the high prices 

that were purchased at auction.   The Mikado Mechanical Bank was purchased for a final price of $ 46,600.00 USD, while the Freeman's Mechanical Bank went for $ 36,000.00 USD. It's great to see that during these trying times of the pandemic, people still are trying to continue with caution, but with their normal routines.

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

An Extremely Rare Wilkins Street Sweeper

Wednesday, May 27,2020

Sunny

37 C.  99 F

(A record-breaking high temperature)

An Extremely Rare

Wilkins Street Sweeper

Please click here to visit the listing this fine seller on ebay, and this fine listing

It's not often that I see a toy with the price set at 5 digits , being offered on ebay! So naturally I was curious to see what the toy was all about. It turns out that it's a Wilkins street sweeper made in the 1890's, It's a cast iron toy, that's in very good condition for being 100 or more year old.

It's length is 12 1/2" (317 mm).

I contacted the owner and asked for permission to use the photos, and to write about the fine toy. As it turned out, the owner of the toy is Mr. Aaron Phelps, whose ID on ebay is apbubba1.

Aaron's photos are excellent, so that I had very little work to improve them, but for resizing them to a smaller size.

In Aaron's own words:

"I've done some searching and it looks to me this was the last one to sell since 2005.  From a collection out of Minnesota. I don’t believe there is too many that are still around.  Thanks Aaron Phelps."

It's amazing that the bristles for the street sweeper are still  

on the toy, and that the letters (D.P.W.) standing for Department of Public Works

are also still on the toy. 

From this photo below, you can see a brown string

that is attached between the rear left axle of the toy, and the 

bristle gear on the shaft of the wheel.

The 2 photos below help you to better understand

how the sweeper rotates along the surface that it is  cleaning.

If anyone has some information about the Wilkins company, 

please send me the reference so that I can add it to this post.

So that's it for today, having written this second post.

I hope that this fine toy will sell, and that someone will enjoy

owning it.

Have a great part of the day or night.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

The Kingsbury Racers

Sunday, May 24 , 2020
Sunny
25 C 77 F

The Kingsbury Racers

Please click here to visit Liveauctioneers and the page relating to these toys

A page from the 1920's catalogue

In the 1920's there were a lot of British race car drivers who wanted to set the world record

for the land speed record. Malcolm Campbell set the record in Great Britain.

# 335 Napier-Campbell Bluebird Racer

The original car was driven by Capt. Malcolm Campbell in 1928,

which broke the land speed record of the time by going 207 mph.

Wind-up spring motor with Dunlop rubber tires.

Length:  19" 482 mm

Model of the famous Sunbeam Racer, driven by Major Seagrave,

that made the world's speed record of 203 mph, on Daytona Beach (Florida) in March, 1927.

Heavy gauge metal, Dunlop rubber tires, and a strong steel spring motor.

Length:  19" 482 mm

Length:  19" 482 mm

Major Seagrave's Golden Arrow Racer

An exact reproduction in which Major Seagrave broke the World's record 

by driving at a record speed of 231.5 mph.

length: 20" 508 mm

Kingsbury "Thunderbolt" Racer

Pressed steel, painted in red, rare toy racer, seated driver,

with a tall tail fin design. A land speed racer.

Clockwork driven with a strong wind-up mechanism.

Length:  17 3/4"  (450 mm)

The Kingsbury company made lots of other toys besides racers. Mechanical wind-up trucks, cars, airplanes, and fire trucks were all made in the Kingsbury plant in New Hampshire, USA.

Take care, and have a nice
part of the day or evening.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

Two fine Arcade Toys Come up for Sale at Z & K Antiques

Saturday, May 23, 2020
Sunny
23 C 74 F

Two fine Arcade Toys Come up 

for Sale at  Z & k ANTIQUES

I've been returning to the websites of many of my contributors to see how they are doing. 
Several years ago, I discovered this fine seller by having done a search. What I like about  this website is the excellent photography that they have of their merchandise, and the research that they use to carefully describe each the items that are for sale.

Please click here to visit this fine American Merchant

The scanned pages for the 2 toys come from a nice

small booklet for Arcade Toys circa the 1920's. The booklet of 76 pages was

reproduced by the publisher Noble House in 1988.

Dimensions:

L x W x H: 

 8 1/2" x 3 3/8" x 3 3/4"

215 mm x 86 mm x 95 mm

I was able to find the patent of the toy on the Internet.

Thanks for dropping by.

and have a great part of the day

or night wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

Theriault's - The Curator of the World's Dolls

Friday, May 22, 2020
Sunny
27 C 81 F

Please click here to visit this world-renowned dollmaster

I seldom cover dolls, but when I was browsing the Net the other day, I saw the name Theriault's several times with regard to a search that I was doing. When I visited  the website, was I surprised! Theriault's is  one of the most famous sites for dolls, and when you  venture over to their website you will see why. If I can put this into words, they are the keepers of the tradition of collecting dolls for now and the next generation of children and adults who get pleasure form collecting, and perhaps playing with them as well.

In their own words

ABOUT US

"Founded in 1970 by Florence and George Theriault, the firm has specialized exclusively in the appraisal and auction of antique dolls and childhood playthings throughout its 50-year history. The firm's offices and cataloging center are headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, although its live auctions are conducted in major cities throughout the United States. Also, because of Theriault's stellar reputation, collectors and museums worldwide participate in bidding on dolls through a well-developed system of phone, absentee, and Internet bidding. In addition, collectors and estate specialists worldwide - from Asia to Europe to every small town in America - have commissioned their dolls to Theriault's for auction."

EXPERTISE

Theriault's was an early leader in the movement toward specialization within the auction industry. "Traditionally, collectors have been confounded by the contradiction of desiring an object, yet fearing its flaws," notes founder Florence Theriault. We wanted to create an auction firm with a profound knowledge of the subject of the dolls, as well as the mere ability to present an auction. The principle has been well-served, not only offering assurance to the collector of dolls, but also ensuring sellers that their dolls will be marketed intelligently.

Theriault's appraisers have freely contributed their time and knowledge at collector gatherings ranging from small town-club meetings to international  conferences. Informative articles concerning doll collecting and the history of dolls have been contributed to various journals, and an extensive research library is maintained by Theriault's and its sister company, Gold House Publishing, that has published more that 60 books on specialized subjects of doll collecting, with a network of knowledge and respected authors.

Theriault's has sponsored a number of public appraisal clinics to the benefit of museums and public libraries as well as other non-profit organizations and, additionally, hosted many one or two day educational seminars conducted for collectors in major citied around the United States that are free and open to all. Additionally, Theriault's has sponsored a scholarship program in conjunction with the UFDC to support ongoing research in the world of dolls.

Description

6" (15 cm.) Each has bisque shoulderhead, muslin body, bisque lower limbs, including lady with mohair wig arranged with ringlet curls, glass eyes, closed mouth, wearing fine antique gown with lace trim and matching high top bonnet, model 1160 by Simon and Halbig; and gentleman with sculpted black hair and moustache, wearing wonderful original costume and top-hat. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, circa 1890. Value Points: wonderful original costumes, the woman with original dainty wig.

You can read from the description, that each and every item for sale is most-carefully researched. It's truly amazing how antique dolls have been so sell kept over a period of 130 years. Moreover, these dolls represent how well-off people and their children would have dressed in the 1890's! Even the assembly of the dolls, and their costumes are truly classic!

I decided to not include the written descriptions, so that I could present the pictures by themselves for viewing. The photos are excellent in terms of the nice material that the dolls are on. However, it's the lighting that caught my eye. They are using at least 3 lights to photograph the dolls. There is a light from the back, and 2 lights from the front.  Also the file sizes are very good enough to see plenty of detail, as well as fine detail. It's as if each doll is having her/his portrait taken!

Below is an exceptional "boutique" of miniature 

19th Century decorative objects and silver

Width x Height x Depth

22"  x 13" x 11''

558mm x 330 mm x 280 mm

The wooden-framed open shop with angled sides has built-in shelves back and sides with painted finish to simulate marble and accented with gilt beading and decoupage trim, wooden parquet flooring, hanging tri-arm chandelier, matching ormolu framed mirrors on alternate walls. The shelves are laden with more than 60 miniature treasures including silver tea service, bird cage, tiny dolls in miniature silver chairs, Berlin porcelain statuary, collection of clocks, rare book press, and much more. Excellent condition. An outstanding original presentation of rare antique miniatures in early shop. 

Mid-1800s.

 Height: 17" (430 mm.) 

Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with modeled bosom and shoulderblades, blue glass paperweight inset eyes with spiral threading, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, mauve-blushed eyeshadow, brushstroked brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, dimpled chin and philtrum, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, slender kid bebe body with scalloped upper edge, kid-over-hinged hips, wooden lower legs, kid-over-wooden arms, bisque forearms. Condition: generally excellent, restoration to one finger on left hand. Marks: Bru Jne 5 (head and shoulderplate). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1884. Value Points: splendid eyes are featured in this beautiful bebe from golden age of Bru, original body, lovely antique costume, leather shoes signed "Bru Jne Paris 5".

13" (33 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with modeled bosom and shoulderblades, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brushstroked brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, slender kid body with scalloped-edge kid collarette, kid-over-wooden upper arms, bisque forearms, wooden lower legs. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bru Jne 4 (head and shoulders), Bebe Bru...(partial original paper label on body). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1886, Value Points: charming fellow has original body, great expression and painting of features, antique costume, cap, and shoes, and carrying faux-tortoise mandolin and leather case.

I certainly do not know much of the lexicon of the world of dolls.However, you can see just how much research goes into describing these true antiques! I still cannot believe just how great these toys have lasted for a hundred years, and through the 1800's, 1900's, and 2000's.

I'm sure these exceptional genre of "toys" will survive much much longer. 

Their legacy  is truly a marvel over the ages!

I certainly was elated to find such a fantastic company, and I would especially 

like to thank Mr. Stuart Holbrook, the President and chief auctioneer of the firm. When I wrote to him, he was more that happy to help me out with this post, but all the thanks is from myself to him.

His experience and knowledge is most exceptional, ah truly is an expert extraordinaire in his genre of the doll world!

I hope that everyone enjoyed this post, and will now have a great resource for researching any dolls that they have or will have seen at auctions, marketplaces, and in special antique stores. 

Have a great part of the day or evening,

and thanks for dropping by.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

Matching 1928 Keystone Toys to a Butler Brothers Catalogue

Friday, March 21, 2020
Sunny
27 C.  81 F

Matching 1928 Keystone Toys

 to a Butler Brothers Catalogue

It's always fun to find toys on the Internet and match them up to a catalogue.

Bertoia Auctions is having a current auction now with a lot of Keystone toys.

However, my 1927 Butler Brothers catalogue does not have these toys.

Coincidentally, when I did the Internet search, I came up with the page that I was looking for.

I found page 266 of the Butler Brothers 1928 (December) catalogue.

All of the toys are pressed steel with  rubber tires, and some of them have been restored.

Please click here to view this June 18, 2020 auction

If you are reading this after the end of the auction, then simply

go to the Bertoia Auctions website, and search for past auctions and June 18, 2020*

The "Packard Combo 49 Truck measures 28" (710 mm).

The other toys seen above are also large toys.

If anyone has any of the other Keystone toys featured above,

please feel free to send me your photos, and I will add them to this blog post.

Just e-mail me beforehand, so I can tell you the size of the photos, 

and how to light the toys for best results.

Returning to reality, up here in Canada, and my province of Quebec, 

The Covid19 virus statistics are starting to show the data stabilizing 

and/or the falling. The governments  (federal and provincial) are starting to 

ease up on the rules. Soon, I will be able to get a haircut and to 

go to large stores that were previously closed.

Nevertheless, if people start to go beyond the rules, then they will

endanger everyone. I hope people understand this.

So that's it for today.

Thanks for visiting,

and have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey BIndman

toysearcher@gmail.com

A very, very rare Marklin refrigerator car

Thursday, May 21, 2020S
Sunny
24 C 75 F
S

Marklin Schlitz Refrigerator

Car 2959S

1 gauge. Yellow refrigerator with opening doors on each side

Produced for the American Market 1907-1915

Version from before 1909

Hinged roof

As you know, I've been searching through my past posts to see

whom I had written about, when Dirk Soulis Auctions came up.

So that's how this post came to be.

I wanted to find something "exceptional" or rare, 

and came across this "real" antique, which

is dated to have been made around 1907, 113 years ago!

I was going to title this post

"Honey, I'm going out to get a Schlitz", but

I decided that this title would be a bit un-classy, for

a real class company such as Dirk Soulis Auctions,

But if those words were true,  I can just imagine how this person's wife would have felt, 

when this buyer came home with this refrigerator train car!

 Exceptional

rarity sold for at auction on June 9, 2012.

The estimated price before the auction started was between

$ 20.00 - $ 2000.00 US.

Please click here to see what this fine model car sold for

Now if I had saved my 1950's Lionel train set, 

my microscope set, my toy brass trumpet,  my toy tool box,

my comic books, my Classic brand of comic books, and my toy six shooter!

I can dream can't I?

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

have a great part of the day 

or night, wherever you may be.

toysearcher@gmail.com

Stacey Bindman