James D. Julia Revisited

Sunday, February 4, 2018
Overcast with Snow
-1 C  30.2 F

James D. Julia Revisited

https://jamesdjulia.com/

One of the finest auctioneers in North America happens to be James D. Julia.

A few years ago, Dan Morphy Auctions purchased the company from Mr. Julia. James D. Julia had up to that point auctioned collections of rare toys. When the companies merged, James D. Julia stopped auctioning toys. However, they still auction fine antiques of all categories.

What I always liked about James D. Julia, was the fact that they took very professional photographs of their items for sale, and their written descriptions were expertly researched and 

written up. The company also happene to be one of the first ones that granted me permission to use their fine photos and descriptions.

RARE & DESIRABLE CAST IRON TOY “THE YANKEE SCHOOLMASTER” OR “EDUCATIONAL TOY” AKA ALPHABET MAN.

This phenomenal toy is both intrinsically appealing and charismatic. This toy was made in the latter part of the 19th century and would be the focal point for an advanced toy, bank or folk art aficionado. Often called the alphabet man, its true name according to patent papers is “The Educator”. This short, stout fellow with disproportionate extremities, upon depressing the lever, lowers his pointing hand, blinks his eyes and a new letter appears at his bow tie while his hand rises back up pointing to said letter. Just as cast iron mechanical banks were designed to educate and encourage children to save, it is obvious this toy was designed as an early educational toy to teach the children the alphabet or various words with that first letter. Only a handful of these rare toys have survived over the past 100+ years. Made of cast iron and gaily enameled in vibrant colors, it contains a somewhat intricate mechanism concealed within his body. NOTE: This toy has been referred to as the “Alphabet Man” or “The Educator” however the original patent papers indicate that it’s called “The Educator” or “The Yankee Schoolmaster”. SIZE: 10″  ( 254mm) height. PROVENANCE: Ex- Robert Stuart Collection. This toy was prominently displayed at the famed Perelman Toy Museum in Philadelphia, PA for many, many years. 

                                             GROUP OF CAST-IRON MECHANICAL BANKS.

Last quarter 19th century. American. 1) Cast-Iron Teddy and the Bear mechanical bank. J & E Stevens Co. 2) “Bucking Mule” Cast-Iron Mechanical Bank by The Judd Mfg. Co. 3) Man in period costume shooting at tree, J & E Stevens Co. Engraved “Creedmore Bank” in flat stone on base. Corning cap on base stamped “Feb 2 1875”. 4) Kyser & Rex Cast-Iron butting buffalo mechanical Bank with raccoon with mottled green paint decorated base. 5) Kyser & Rex lion and monkey bank with green mottled base. Patent date stamped on coin door “July 7 1883”. SIZE: Varying sizes from 6″  (152 mm) h x 7-3/4″ (197 mm) l to 9-1/2 (242 mm)″ h x 9-1/4″  (235mm)l. PROVENANCE: Contents of a lifetime collection “Brook Crossing,” South Pomfret, VT.

You can still go to the James D. Julia website and view past auctions of old toys, even though they are no longer selling toys as a division of Morphy Auctions. It's a great resource for excellent photographs, as well as the some of the best written toy descriptions on the Net!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

Gunthermann Mechanical Characters

Sunday, January 21, 2018
Overcast
-1 C  30.2 F

Gunthermann Mechanical Characters

Please click here to visit this exceptional American toy auctioneer

When you visit  liveauctioneers, you are able not only to go to the latest auction, but you are

capable of visiting their past auctions. I'm writing about Bertoia Auctions' June 3, 2017 auction today. There, I found many Gunthermann tin wind-up toys , with some being able to produce music.  I was surprised, because I don't ever think that I wrote about these toys. So I looked through this auction, and decided to write about them for today. All of today's toys are either hand-painted or lithographed on tin.  They also have mechanical wind-up movements that allow them to move the characters, and in some cases to even play music.  Most of these toys were in high demand  at this auction, and all were in fact sold in the 4-digit prices! 

Gunthermann Clown See-Saw Toy (Germany)

Hand-painted clockwork tin toy featuring the centre toy being able to 

roll back and forth on his small cart, with music emitted from the box

on the platform base.

L x W:  14" x 4"   (365mm x 102 mm)

Gunthermann Whimsical Animals Swing Toy

Very charming German tin toy, hand painted and clockwork driven, features a dressed standing dog who appears to rock his friend the dressed frog in a swing, all the while a performing poodle spins on a disc table, a very unusual tin toy. 10" (254 mm) width

Gunthermann Jiggs Bumper Car

Extremely rare example, c. 1926, 

lithographed tin amusement style toy ride, 

seated Jiggs character, clockwork driven, 5" (127 mm) width

Gunthermann Dog Trainer

Wonderful early hand painted toy of dog trainer and dog, plink-plank mechanism, when activated dog trainer raises his arms which hold a training stick and the dog with spring tail jumps up, nice form and movement. 8" ( 202 mm) height

Gunthermann Mutt and Jeff Clockwork Toy

Litho tin wind up toy, working, c. 1925, made in Germany, great form. 

At one time considered almost rare but a few have surfaced in the last 20 years and now considered hard to find. 6" (152 mm) length.

Musical Gunthermann Clown Toy

Hand painted whimsical toy features large seated clown at center holding leash for the pig, as the clockwork motor is activated, the large wheel rolls causing the small clown riding a pig to run and the entire toy revolves on the floor and plays a tune. 8 1/2" (216 mm) height .

Gunthermann Dancer and Flutist

Germany, early hand painted example, bright colors, clockwork activates twirling motions of dancer as plink-plink sounds emit from shared base, dancer depicted in classic ballerina cloth tutu, clown musician seated on bass drum. 9" ( 228 mm) height

Gunthermann Musician Toy - Violin & Banjo

Germany, hand painted tin toy, clockwork allows plink-plink music, 

depicts two minstrels seated in chairs 

with instruments in hand, a rare and desirable piece. 9" (228 mm) width.

Gunthermann Cat Violinist

Hand painted tin in impressive original conditon, clever plink-plank toy, 

depicts cat playing violin while his tail moves in rhythm, red base has some flaking primarily to one side, otherwise in uncommonly strong condition and bright colors. 7 1/2" (191 mm) height.

That's it for another post.

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great day or night.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com