An Item that Went to Auction and Soared in Price

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Overcast and Damp

2° C/ 35° F

A Less-Noticed Item that went to Auction 

and Soared in Price

(from the Lloyd Ralston Gallery)

I've been writing blog posts for the Lloyd Ralston Gallery for a while. The Ralston family has been in business for 47 years., and have become well-known for their fine and well-organized auctions, with lots of interesting items up for sale. They've allowed me to write about their fine toys, and I'm much appreciative to them

It's always nice to see a company continue from generation to generation, as well as mature and expand over time.

"In 1978, Lloyd and Ruth Ralston got their first antique you collection for auction, and it's been a success story ever since. Now run by Glenn and Liane Ralston, they hold 8 to 10 auctions a year and have a large and loyal worldwide clientele."

Please click on this sentence to redirect to their history

I was looking on the Internet fort what to write today, and decided to write a post about a  recent Lloyd Ralston Gallery auction. The Gallery is now on LiveAuctioneers, and that is where I went to see their latest auction. 

However, when I went to their main page on LiveAuctioneers, I noticed something that caught my eye.

Please click on this sentence to redirect to their Main Page on LiveAuctioneers

What caught my attention were 2 words - "Record Results". What that meant were the results of items that had very high final bid results. I redirected to that page and found an item that was interesting for the fact that it was a cardboard container box for a set of Lionel Trains

from 1928!!!

Whoa! Now that's something. A beautiful lithographed and coloured cardboard

container that was in very good condition from 1928 - 97 years old,

and soon to reach a century - 100 years!!!

Please click on this sentence to redirect to the auction result of this rare item

I hope you'll be as surprised as I was to see the final winning bid price

on this beautiful box that once contained a beautiful train set. 

There's a old famous expression:

"Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"

What it means is that something might accidentally be thrown out without realizing its' true value.

So the next time, you buy something with a nice container,  keep it.

Keep it first to protect what you purchased, but keep the container for 

protecting that item. And in the cast of colour, keep the

item out of direct sunlight.

You never know, what the value of the container may be.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

My name is Mr. Stacey Bindman

and I can always be reached at 

toysearcher@gmail.com

Introducing Premier Auction Galleries

Friday, March 21, 2025

-2° C / 28° F

Cloudy and Clearing skies later

Introducing Premier Auction Galleries

I was searching the 'Net for toys when I came across an interesting auction.

The photography was superb, but what caught my attention were the toys. 

Here was an auction with toy brands that I had never heard of before.

Whoa, after blogging since 2011, I made a fantastic discovery 

of new brands of old and antique toys!

I immediately wrote to the company, and got an answer with permission

to write a blog post for him. The owner is Mr. Jesse Mathews, and his auction company is Premier Auction Galleries.

Please click on this sentence to visit Premier Auction Galleries list of Auctions

Please click on this sentence to visit this wonderful auction of newly-discovered toy brands

I've never added  an auction's description before, but Mr. Jesse Mathews

writing was so well done, that I had to add  the narrative to this post!

Auction Description

"Premier Auction Galleries Presenting AN HONORABLE collection of One Man's

passion of antique tin litho toys, mechanical toys, gaming, puzzles, general antiques and action toys form the 19th century to his own designed current self constructed hobby games! This avid collector not only was a fireman with a passion for helping others, but a passion for preserving history with collecting!

He was a very avid work worker as you'll see within some of his furniture, woodshop tools and dexterity games he made himself. The tools offered are ones that he used in his home working shop! This impressive collection goes through a journey of time on ONE MAN'S PASSION! As you scroll through the over 500 lots being offered, with well over 1500 items that is sure to be something for everyone! Whether you are a collector, a dealer, a wood worker, or just  to decorate with vintage toys... THIS IS YOUR AUCTION."

This auction will be starting on April 6, 2025

Description:

"Acrobat and Spinning monkey twirling tin litho toy.

Unmarked, working, and measuring approximately

18" high x 14" wide (45.72 cm x 35.56 cm)"

Description:

RARE Uncle Sam on Bicycle Tin Litho String Toy

"Early Americana tin litho toy, depicting Uncle Sam on a bicycle. Operating on a string wire gravity toy. Legs are articulated.Some minor scratching and fading.

Condition (Very Good), Measuring 14" Tall (35.56 cm).

Description:

Johathan & Jimmie (First Uncle Sam) Tin Toy and Puzzles

To include seesaw gravity toys, Jonathan& Jimmie (First Uncle Sam), 

8"  / 20.32 cm high, and 1920. J.L. Sommer Mfg. Co. Puzzle mind teaser, 

in box as shown.

Condition: Normal use and wear, overall good, see photos.

Description:

Talking Machine Toys- Black Americanas Toys-

The Boxers &  Ragtime Rastus circa 1915, w/Box

 

Description:

Three (3) Pressed steel 1930's Windup Car Tracks-Over-Under

Including one green and yellow complete with car, the hoop a loop in and over and under. All wind up and currently working. See photos for details as shown.

Description:

DIXTOY Toy Clown Marble ZIG ZAG with Parts

Including a full working board and additional parts as shown.

See photos for details as shown

So that's it for today. I hoped you enjoy this blog post as much as I did writing it.

I've only presented 6 toys that will be going to this fabulous auction. For myself, "discovering" this auction company and the owner, Mr. Jesse Mathews

was a wonderful discovery. What I also enjoyed (being a photographer) was the exemplary  photography. 

As always, thank you for visiting my blog, and have 

a great part of the day or night, wherever you may be.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman,

and I can always be reached at 

toysearcher@gmail.com.

An N.N. Hill Brass Company Tea Wagon Owner Needs Some Information

 Friday, March 14, 2025

6° C / 43° F

Sunny and Cool

An N.N. Hill Brass Company Tea Wagon

Owner Needs Some Information about

His Fine Toy

I received an e-mail a few days ago about an  N.N.Hill Brass Company 

tea wagon. I've seen these toys on the Internet, and even wrote a blog or two about the compony and the person owning the toys.

Mr. Daniel D. Knish had send me 2 photos and he wanted to know about his toy. 

I assumed this would be an easy task. However, I searched several times, and could not find any information on this toy. 

I'll be searching some more, but perhaps someone reading this post can help me and Daniel get an answer to his nice 

Tea Wagon No. 600

N.N. Hill Brass Company

East Hampton, U.S.A.

So that's it for today.

I hope someone will be able to find the answer to Daniel's question.

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

Enjoy the part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman

and I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gmail.com

An Amazing Toy Website - Pressed Steel Metal Toys

Thursday, March 15, 2025

3° C / 37° F

Mixed Sun & Cloud

An Amazing Discovery of a

Wonderful Toy Website

by the name of:

 Pressed Steel & Metal Toys 

 

I was browsing through the Internet, when I came across a site that I thought I had written a post about a website, that I had visited many years ago. However, 

I haven't found it yet among my 1,695 posts! Nevertheless, as Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his 1984 blockbuster movie -The Terminator - 

"I'll Be Back"!

When I "rediscovered" this exemplary website, I knew that I would have to write the owner of this fabulous site. I wrote to the owner, and I received a reply in a few days. I thanked Mr. Brett Heinz for his permission, and I was off to work to write about Brent and his fine website.

The screen-capture below was the first toy that Mr. Brett Heinz purchased.

This was the beginning of his "journey" and it was in the early 1980's.
Brent was with his girlfriend, and when he went to visit her parents,  he saw the marvellous toy below.  It's a pressed steel bus manufactured by the Cor-Cor company in the 1920's.

Brett wrote to me and wrote:

"Michael Yolles was was the founder of this site and I took over a few years ago. We have been great friends for nearly 40 years and share the same love of the hobby."

And as the expression goes - "the rest is history"

Brett was "smitten" with the desire to buy and sell toys, and of course to learn all about them. When you visit his website, you will want to return several times to read about the toys, and as well to view them.

Please click on this sentence to visit this exceptional toy website

Below:

The screen-capture presents to the visitor, the many different companies that Brett has collected toys to add to his exceptional collection.

There is also a similar page that shows you all the the company logos.

Either way, when you click on a name or an icon, you will be redirected to the site of the toy company that you clicked on.

You'll need a fair amount of time to meander through this exceptional website. 

Not only are the photos and the toy collection great, but there is a lot of information to read about and to learn about this fabulous toys of the last century.

Below:

Wow! A new discovery for me. 

I never heard of the 

Toledo Metal Wheel Co. Bull Dog & Blue Streak Toys

I like how Brett wrote a short history of this toy company.

There are also more companies on Brent's  website that

you will  read about that you might never have heard of them before.

The company names listed alphabetically are:

American National Toys

Boycraft Toys

Buddy L Toys

Cor-Cor Toys

Dayton Toys

En-Es Toys

Gendron Sampson Toys

Kelmet Toys

Keystone Toys

Kingsbury Toys

Little John Toys

Marx Toys

Metalcraft Toys

Republic Toys

Steelcraft Toys

Structo Toys

Sturditoy Toys

Toledo Blue Streak Toys

Toledo Bull Dog Toys

Turner Toys

Viking Toys

Wyandotte Toys

Vintage Toy Photos

However, some of the company names have no write-ups on them.

So it you find a manufacturer's name, you might want to help Brett, by providing links to where information and photos could be found.

Below:

Two  fine examples of the excellent photography that Brett has 

produced. By presenting the toy on a white foundation and background, 

together with a soft lighting, the toy shows best, and the lighting helps to avoid harsh shadows.

  

Below:

Brett also sells toys on his website. He presents several photos of each toy.

This helps the buyer view the toys from many different camera angles and surfaces.

Below:

This image presents to the viewer some of the toys from one of

the manufacturers of the last century. 

What I always find amazing is when I see a photograph with an original box! 

Below:

This image presents to the viewer an example

of one of the manufacturers from a while back.

Below:

Another image presenting to the reader an example

of one of the manufacturers from a while back.

So that's it for today. 

It's still cold up here in Montreal, Quebec,Canada, 

so today was a good day to write a post. 

Thanks for dropping by, and as always,

thanks for dropping by to visit.

I'm always available to write a post for you if you have some good photos

and a story to tell. If you write to me, 

I will explain about good lighting for toy photography, 

and the size of the photos.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman,

and I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gmail.com

A Beautiful Chrysler Imperial in a Very Interesting Bertoia Auction

Monday, March 10, 2025

-1° C / 31° F

Partly Cloudy and Mild

A Beautiful Chrysler Imperial

in a Fine Bertoia Auction

There's a wonderful Bertoia Auction that you can visit either on 

Bertoia auction's website or on LiveAuctioneers. 

Please click on this sentence to visit Bertoia Auctions fine website

Please click on this sentence to visit Bertoia Auctions on Liveauctioneers

I've been very fortunate to have been given permission from Bertoia Auction

when I had started blogging almost 14 years ago. They were one of the first companies that granted me their permission to write about their fine family, their excellent photography, and of course the toys. The company has evolved quite well, and their fine business qualities and hard work have brought to be known 

among the old and antique toy community in the USA and also in the world. 

I decided to select just one fine toy. It's a 1962 Chrysler Imperial car

in its' original box.

Description

257. BOXED ATC 1962 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL I Ex:Ira Bernstein Collection.

15" l.  | Two tears to side flap of original lid otherwise some minor wear

and tear to cardboard (Excellent Condition), toy is nearly unplayed with only showing any use at rubber wheels (Near Mint Condition) |$8000 - $ 16,000 US.

Length 15 inches / 38.1 cm

I was just looking at the photography that Bertoia Auctions did, and it's excellent. 

I like the way the toy was polished, and it shines most beautifully.  I just

did a search to check what the price of a "real car" 1962 Chrysler Imperial was, 

and the price that I found was coincidentally $ 16,000.00.

Imagine that!

I also just checked to see what a 1962 Chrysler Imperial Car would  cost

now if you wanted one. I found one on the 'Net asking $ 162,000 USA Dollars.

I remember this car as if it was yesterday. Back in 1962, when I was 14, you didn't see too many of this fabulous cars. When you did, it was very long and amazing to see. At that time, that was the Chrysler Corporation's showcase model 

for their company!

As this toy's price is showing a high price, this beautiful toy car

still manages to attract attention, even some 63 years later!

A New Visit to Stripe4107 on ebay

Saturday, March 8, 2025

-6°C / 21.2° F

Cloudy with some Sun

A New Visit to

Stripe4107 on ebay

I like to visit people and companies whom I'm written about before.

Stripe4107 is one of these fine stores and person. He always has a large inventory 

of toys, and his photography is excellent. Better still, is that there are plenty of photographs taken for each and every toy that is up for sale.

Please click on this sentence to redirect to his fine store

For those readers who don't know, you can always click on a photo, 

and all of the photos will appear in a new window. When you want to return to read, simply click anywhere on the black background.

Description

Hubley Cast Iron 5 Ton Truck/All original with no breaks or repairs. 

Hard and rare to find. Note that the floor of the truck is steel. Large 

and impressive toy. Comes with driver, not correct. 

Shows some normal wear.   Length:  16 1/2" (31.75 cm)

Description

Scarce American Carpenter Toys, Port chester, NY (USA),, Circa 1885.

Here is an excellent example of this scarce and charming toy. It retains the driver. Cast Iron 2-Horse Drawn Steam Pumper Fire Engine Toy. Thee carriage is marked "Pat. May, '84"; harness marked "Pat. Nov 16 '83", one  horse marked

'Pat. July 19, '81. One driver leads two horses atop a carriage with red wheels loaded with a gold-colored steam boiler, marked "14". All parts and paint appear original, with wear to reflect that such cast iron pieces were originally

intended as toys, and lovingly used that way. No breaks or repairs.

18 1/2" L x 4 1/4" W x 7" T (47 cm x 10.8 cm x 17.8 cm)

Description

Rare Globe Cast Iron Policeman Motorcycle 9" (22.86 cm)

Very hard to find.All original made by Globe Mfg. Company. Handlebars appear to be original, black rubber tires marked "balloon 34 x 5 cord" which have hardened. Still rolls fines. some paint chipping and wear. The Policeman's original right leg was broken off, and has been repaired. see no other breaks or repairs.

9"L x 3 1/3"W x 6"T (22.86 cm x 8.45 cm x 15.24 cm)

Description

Arcade Cast Iron Mack Fire Ladder dual Wheel Truck w/ driver

Impressive 18" Arcade 1930's cast iron Mack Fire Truck with original red paint and original arcade sticker. Mack cab with nickel hose reel with ladder supports,

seated nickel-plated driver, original bell, original rubber tires and disc wheels

with red painted centers, Arcade decal on side. There is a bell on the underneath with a clapper attached to the axle. As the axle turns, the lapper hits the bell, sounding like a real emergency. There is a bolted-in driver with a unitized steering wheel in his hands. Displays well with original cast iron driver and "Mack" embossed on the truck. The truck is in nice original condition with no cracks

or repairs. 

Cab is 18" (45.72 cm) long, with ladders 21" (53.34 cm).

Description:

You can see how much effort Stripe4107 places in describing the

historic information of this toy, as well as the detailed description

and condition of each and every toy.

So that's it for today.

Thanks for dropping by, and as always, have a great part of 

the day or night, wherever you may be.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman,

and I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gmail.com