Introducing Fontaine's Auction Gallery

Wednesday, January 22, 2013
                 (Sunny but very cold)

Introducing Fontaine's Auction Gallery

   I've decided for 2014 to add "non-toy" old and antique items whenever I can. If I had more time, I'd be writing more blogs about other antiques besides toys. I like "old" and interesting things, and there just are so many interesting items to see on the Net. Earlier this week, I came across a fabulous toy airplane that I saw on Liveauctioneers. The toy airplane which you'll see tomorrow, was sold by Fontaine's Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA.

  Knowing that I also wanted to share "non-toy" antiques, I decided to look at what Fontaine's sells besides old toys. I didn't have to search very long, when I came upon a few items just on the first page of Liveauctioneers.   I wrote to the company, and received permission from Mr. Bob Burke to write about Fontaine's Auction Gallery. He sent me the press release/bio that the company uses, as well as an excellent watermark top place over each image.

He also asked me to inform everyone that the photos that I am presenting today have been retouched by me.  That's to ensure that potential burrs or past burrs mistake what they bought or might by, from the photographs. Of course, I never tough the items, just the foundation. Also, I try to improve only minor areas such as focus, colour-balance, and highlight and shadow details. However, even in these areas, I very rarely had to do much!

I have to say though, that I did not touch the content at all,but just what the items rested on (the foundation as it's called in photographic terms) and the background.  Fortunately, the excellent quality of Fontaine's Auction Gallery photography made today's post all the more easier for myself.

Please click here to visit the most-interesting website of Fontaine's Auction Gallery

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

"With over 50 years of experience, Fontaines is the oldest full service auction gallery in Western Massachusetts, USA.Many of our buyers & sellers have been repeat customers for decades. Rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau and Voted best place to sell your antiques for 7 years in a row.We accept items on consignment for our nationally advertised auctions or will buy outright, one piece to an entire estate or collection.

We are currently accepting consignments for our upcoming auctions.

We specialize in: Furniture by John Belter, R.J. Horner, Herter Bros, John Jeliff, J&JW Meeks, Thomas Brooks, Gustav Stickley, Limbert etc.Lighting by Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, Pairpoint, Williamson etc.18th, 19th & 20th Century American & European Fine Art, Bronze & Marble Statuary, Sterling Silver, Asian Items, Porcelains, Clocks & Watches, Music Boxes, Art Glass & Cameo Glass, Gold & Diamond Jewelry, Coins, Pottery, Russian Items, Brilliant Cut Glass, Porcelains, Toys & Dolls, Mechanical & Still Banks, Decorated Stoneware, Nautical Items, Firearms & Military Items."

* Courtesy of Mr.Bob Burke (Webmaster of Fontaine's AUction Gallery)

Columbia Type  Q, "The Language Phone" Phonograph

DOmed oat lid and oak platform with black painted base plate and nickel from plates; the lid is signed with a banner decal for "The Language Phone, International College of Languages, New York & London". Has an open movement with original aluminum type-D reproducer playing cylinder records through either a nickel horn (11" long x 5.5" wide) or the earpiece which is a black hard rubber (original) attached to the white rubber tubing (replaced). With a set of  German Language records; missing the threaded winding key. Case is 8" high x 10" wide x 7" deep.

Metric Measurements:

Nickel horn:   279mm long x 140mm wide

Case:  203mm high x 254mm wide x 178mm deep

Large Paper Mache Advertising "Nipper" Dog

Manufacturer by the Old King Cole Papier Mache Co., Canton, Ohio (USA).

Has good original paint with minor stress marks around the front legs; signed with red oval tag under the front paw.

42.5" high (  1.08 M)

The story as to how the RCA (formerly Victor)  company came to use Nipper as a mascot is quote interesting.

Please click here to read how Nipper became the RCA mascot

Of course, since I am a toy blogger, I could;t just present the exceptional items above, which are not toys. So below are a few "choice" items for you to see.

Reeves Mfg. C. Giant Roller Coaster Tin Litho Windup Toy.

Has a mechanical lift which climbs the tower, at the top, the platform tilts the car onto a track with 3 humps at the top, and then onto the lower return track, bringing the car back to the lift. As the car passes onto the lift, it triggers the spring riven cam, which raises the lift and automatically releases the car again. Needs a new pulley string to the elevator, otherwise excellent.

12" high x 42"  wide x 2.5" deep

305 mm x 1.067 M x 65 mm

Large Tin Whistling Toy Top

Red painted wood handle on a spiral stem and orange base;the top is  litho decorated with cowboys and Indians on a colourful background. When the top spins at full speed, it makes a whistling sound through 5 vents pierced in the body.

11" high x 10" diameter

278 mm x 254 mm  

Lot of 7 Vintage Cast Iron Cap Guns.

Selection of 4 by Hubley, including the named Target, Pet, Fox, and Buck; one by National, one by Andes, titled "Oh Boy"", and one by Kilgore, titled "Big Bill". Each is very nice and in corking condition, in a display case with printed advertisements.

This introductory post for Fontaine's Auction Gallery was certainly most interesting for myself, and I hope everyone enjoyed it as well. The great photography and well-written descriptions help to make the presentation great reading.

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night, 

wherever you may be.

Stacey

toysearcher@gmail.com