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

James D. Julia's Past Toy Auction

Sunday, December 4, 2015
Sunny with some clouds
1 C 34 F

James D. Julia's 

Past Toy Auction

Please click here to visit this exceptional American auctioneer

Most of the toys below are called "pull toys". A string would be attached to the front of the toy, and the child would pull it along the ground or sidewalk. In some cases, the horses would create a galloping motion.  In 2 descriptions below there is the term "transitional". I am "guessing" that this meant that the horse-drawn fire unit was about to change to the motorized vehicle (fire truck). These toys were still being produced in the 1900's when the motorized vehicles first started to appear. Even in the 1910's and early 1920's these toys were still around, and the "real"item,s, as well as toys had already appeared in "real life".

Mr. James D. Julia sold his toy division (the rights therein) to Mr. Dan Morphy.

As such, James D. Julia no longer auctioned toys.The year was 2015. James D. Julia took exceptional and painstaking photographs of all of his toys going to auction. I don't know how long these "past auction" toy auction listings will be up on his website. So if you like toys, may I highly recommend that you visit his past toy auctions - you won't be disappointed!

In the years of these toys ( 1870's-1920's) there was a myriad of these toys with all kinds of names. Below there are mostly wagons, pumpers, and a dray. For myself , I had never heard of all of these terms, and needed a dictionary to understand what each one meant. Other horse-drawn items are the buckboard, the cart, the surrey, the coupe, the Phaeton, the Hanson cab, and probably a few more. People of the times most likely knew all of these names as we do now for vehicles. Examples  of today's cars are are coupe, sedan, SUV, ATV and several others. Then there are the sizes of cars such as  subcompact, compact, mid-size, and full-sized cars.

These toys presented today are from a time long gone. The only places to see these real"vehicles"  today would be in museums, country fairs, and in the movies.

Wilkins Two-Horse Pumper

An early transitional pumper with a silhouetted driver

Length:  14"  355 mm

Wilkins Hose Reel

This is the "mate" to the Wilkins Chemical Wagon.

This toy also contains a unique bell-ringing assembly

under the driver's seat.

Length:  15 1/2"  393 mm

Horse-Drawn Pure Ice Wagon by Harris

Painted cast iron.

Length: 13 1/2"  343 mm

Wilkens Sprinkler Wagon

Very rare and sought after.

Painted cast iron

Length:  14 1'2" 363 mm

Boy's Express Wagon by Pratt & Letchworth

Painted cast iron, with stencilled words "Boy's Express Co.

Length: 17"

Wilkins Two-Horse Hose Reel

Another transitional hose reel with a silhouetted driver.

Wire attached to front wheel causes a galloping motion.

Length:  14"  355 mm

Rare Horse Drawn Chemical Wagon by Wilkins

Painted cast iron with nickel-plated chemical tank

Length:  19 1/2"  495 mm

Pratt & Letchworth Dray

A perfect replica of the dray wagons from the 1880's-1890's.

Removable stake sides, cast iron dray bed with wooden inserts

Length:  13"  330 mm

Welker & Crosby "One-Horse Truck"

Painted cast iron with japanned horse.

This is number 11 in the Welker & Crosby catalogue.

Length:  14"  355 mm

It's been a long time since I added a post about such old toys. As i already mentioned, the reason for posting is that I don't know how long the toy auction results and photos will be on the James. D. Julia website. 

I hope that you enjoy this post.

I just found out that James D. Julia has all kinds of videos on YouTube. 
If you go to the URL below, you'll see an example of a video.All of the video introductions are the same, but the content later on is different for each auction.

Below is the URL for one particular toy auction. These videos are quite interesting and informative.

Please click here to visit a James D. Julia YouTube video

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

Have a great part of the day or night,

Wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

George Brown Toys Matched up to Their Catalogue Sketches

Wednesday,October 15, 2016

George Brown Toys Matched up

to Their Catalogue Sketches

Please click here to visit this fine American auctioneer

SPECTACULAR CLOCKWORK GEORGE BROWN CIRCUS CAGE WAGON. 

An American tin toy from the latter part of the 19th Century that has been tucked away in an attic and recently discovered in Rhode Island. Never before in a collector’s hands, this fabulous toy when the clockwork mechanism is activated will roll along the floor while the lioness enclosed within the cage appear to pace to and fro. This toy, when discovered was in need of minimal repair to a couple of solder joints and lacking only two vertical bars on rear of cage door. One of the finest known original examples to exist today. Painted in vibrant colors; red, blue, black, apricot and white with japanned highlights. Normally due to the age (over 100 years) japanning tends to oxidize, the japanned parts on this toy are still bright and shiny! This toy has not only great appeal but is a prominent addition to any collection as well. SIZE: 13-1/2″(343 mm) long overall. CONDITION: Overall excellent condition. Minimal inpainting to white crossbar on hitch and small areas where crossbar is attached/soldered to horses. Cage wagon itself appears to be completely original other than two replaced slats previously discussed.

CLOCKWORK “BROADWAY & 5TH AVENUE” OMNIBUS BY GEORGE BROWN.

Although there are six omnibuses in the sale, that is a rarity in itself. The collector of American tin toys would be happy with only one or two of these rare and elusive toys and perhaps would even go a lifetime without having the ability to purchase one for his collection. This particular example is pictured in George Brown Toy Sketchbook on plate 12 which talks about the various models that were available (see lot 3017). A clockwork mechanism is contained within the bombe shaped body of the carriage which is heavily stenciled with a salmon colored design and labeled “BROADWAY & 5TH AVENUE”. White horse with black trappings and red belly bands are attached to the carriage through a very fine wire armature and the oversized driver is astride a seated platform. One of the most attractive features of this particular toy is the stenciled American eagle and US shield. It is always interesting where American tin toys find their way. This particular example was brought back to American from Argentina! SIZE: 13″ (330 mm) length

PROVENANCE: From the Collection of Malcolm Deisenroth, Jr.

DIMINUTIVE WATER TROW BY GEORGE BROWN. 

The mate to the previous toy, this particular example is pictured in George Brown Toy Sketchbook on Plate 49. As discussed in the previous lot, the company employed a train engine side rail cylinder with minor alterations to create this toy. SIZE: 7-1/4″ ( 184 mm)

. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of Malcolm Deisenroth, Jr.

GEORGE BROWN EXPRESS WAGON. 

A fine, early example with unusual coloring and wiffle tree. Finished in dark green with yellow trims and interior painted salmon. Gold stenciling to sides but what’s more unusual is the silver lettering and pinstriping above and below. An embossed sculptured tin wiffle tree located directly under front kick board is an unusual feature not usually found on Express wagons. The seat is in a fixed position. Overall good to very good with uniform paint loss, chipping. 

SIZE: 19-1/2″ (495 mm) Length

EARLY AMERICAN TIN HORSE HOOP TOY. 

Quite possibly by George Brown, this toy from the 1880s features a white horse within a ribbed red tin circular hoop. Hoop toys are very difficult to find due to the susceptibility to damage, let alone scrap drives, childhood destruction, and other pitfalls. This particular toy came from a general line antique dealer/collector who had gotten it from Bernard Barenholtz some 30-35 years ago. In very good, all original condition with no restoration and/or repairs. 

LARGE GEORGE BROWN CLOCKWORK GIG. 

Very fine example of an all original, untouched American tin toy from the 1880s. This toy came in several versions: single horse, double horse or a small seated tin figure or a larger separate figure of composition and tin such as this example. Figure seems somewhat over-sized for the rest of the toy, but as previously discussed, the company at the time had an open artistic license of combining various features and in the end it all seemed to work. The boy has a wooden torso with a molded papier mache head and the arms and legs are a combination of tin and stamped brass. The cart itself is in dark blue with a fine yellow pinstriping and black edging. Typical decals on right, left and rear of cart further add to the appearance of this toy. Due to the size of the figure, the seat is hidden which is a scalloped backing painted in yellow and the boy himself is sitting on a red bench with black pinstriping. At the bottom right front of the cart is a small tin holder, that more than likely contained a whip for the horses. The horses, when the toy is activated imitate galloping by a rod attached to their rear foot and an ex-centric center wheel. Large wheels on the cart with a light copper wash and connected to the clockwork mechanism in the cart. A somewhat unusual feature of this example is on the front of the yoke, there is a vertical bar extending with chains going from horse to bar. 

SIZE: 17″ (431mm) length 

CONDITION: Overall very good to fine with uniform paint loss; mostly to horses and red yoke. Clothing on boy is completely original with some minor frailty and dustiness to clothing.

Arcade Toys - Same Size and Shape with Different Finishes

Sunday, October 2, 2016
Overcast with rain
18 Celsius / 64 Fahrenheit

Arcade Toys

Same  Size and Shape

with Different Finishes

Please click here to visit this fabulous American auctioneer

During the cast iron era (1920's-1940's), manufacturers would sometimes make different sizes of the same toy or they would use the same mould but paint the exterior and use different decals on the side panels of the toy.

Below there are 3 Arcade cast iron toys from the 1930's. All 3toys are from the same mould, and are of the same size (9 1/2" long ( 168  mm)

RARE HATHAWAY’S BREAD TRUCK. 

In phenomenal original condition, this is the rare version of the Hathaway’s truck. Normally found with an advertising decal on side, this is the rubber stamped version. Not only is the paint brilliant, but the rubber stamping almost totally intact with some extremely minor fading to lettering. International decals along with Arcade decal are intact. This toy is rare to find without damage to front bumper, rear door or exceptional paint. SIZE: 9-1/2″ l. PROVENANCE: From the collection of the late Larry Seiber of San Jose, CA. CONDITION: Very fine plus to near mint. 1-9082 (5,000-7,000)

ARCADE INTERNATIONAL PANEL TRUCK. 

A wonderful and lifelike depiction of a 1930s International Harvester delivery panel truck. Enameled in rich colors of dark blue, peacock, with yellow pinstripes to center of vehicle and silver trim. Solid rubber disc tires with yellow simulated hubs further enhance the appeal of this toy. SIZE: 9-1/2″ l. PROVENANCE: From the collection of the late Larry Seiber of San Jose, CA. CONDITION: Very fine to near mint. 1-9073 (3,500-5,500)

ARCADE INTERNATIONAL AMBULANCE. 

One of two ambulances from the golden era of automotive toys (1930s) that was undoubtedly produced as a prototype for possible production. Although Arcade produced a smaller ambulance (approx. 6″) and Kenton produced a larger ambulance from the 1910s, there are no other larger ambulances produced by any toy company from this era. The White panel truck is normally painted in black, as was the case here, but the toy has been overpainted at the factory in a white color with a red cross. Perhaps the decision was made after viewing this toy not to produce for commercial use. It is believed to be one of two known. SIZE: 9-1/2″ l. PROVENANCE: From the collection of the late Larry Seiber of San Jose, CA. CONDITION: Very good, as typical with white paint, there is some fine crazing. 1-9072 (2,500-5,000)

 It's interesting that all 3 trucks had been estimated with different estimates in the 4-figure range. However, the Hathaway Bread Truck was rarer than the other 2 toys, and was estimated to be the highest value to go to auction.

Thanks for dropping by,

And as always,

Have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

(toysearcher@gmail.com)

Matching Carrette Toys With Their Catalogue Images

Saturday October 1, 2016
Cloudy with Sun
19 Celsius / 66 Fahrenheit

Matching Carette Toys With Their Catalogue Images 

   When I was doing a lot of writing, I decided to buy many old toy catalogues for future references and information. One of these is  reproduction a trade catalogue for 1911 titled "The Great Toys of George Carette. The publisher is New Cavendish Books and was first printed in 1975.

Description

CARETTE LIMOUSINE
Germany, rare example of a luxury limousine complete with original driver and three seated figures, one is the child, done in forest green lithography overall, yellow striping, red trimmed window frames, features beveled glass windows, nickel plated head lamps, rubber tires, spoke wheels, roof rail rack & clockwork driven. Largest in series. 16" l. (Pristine Cond.)*

* Description Courtesy of James D. Julia

The closest that I tried to match up is the top image on the right side # 3358/44.

It matches the features of the Bertoia Auctions toy. However the catalogue toy measures 13" long x 7 1/2" high, whereby the Bertoia Auctions toy measures 16" long. Also the driver's seat does not match. 

Another feature of  the toy is the front lights (all 4) that are nickel-plated. 

There is also real glass to the windows. 

My match-up is certainly not 100%, but is close enough to approximate the date the toy was manufactured, as well as to review the written description of the toy. I'm quite sure that 

James D. Julia  has an exhaustive "library" of reference books to identify their listed toys.

The car above was the easiest to match. It's catalogue image 

is on the page below, top right row, and the top image.

Below is the last car. It's match is on the scanned page above (page 210).

It's corresponding image is on the right side, third row down ,and on the right side.

Well, 2 out of 3matches is not great but then again, "the glass is half full", as the famous expression goes.

So that's it for today, and how I try to add more information about the toys that I write about. 

Thanks for dropping by,

And as always,

Have a great time of the day or night,

Wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

(toysearcher@gmail.com)

The Neff-Moon Truck Set

Friday, September 30, 2016
Cloudy with Sun
20 Celsius / 68 Fahrenheit

The Neff-Moon Truck Set

  One of the most pleasurable and educational toy auctioneers that I came across is .James D. Julia. The photography is excellent,and the descriptions are well-researched and well-written. THe antique toy division was sold to Dan Morphy who is a very successful and multi-facetted company. By well-facetted, I mean that he has many different divisions to his auction company. As an example, he also sells fine automobiles of all ages and rarity. THe good news is that you can still view past auctions on James D. Julia's website.

Please click here to visit this renowned auctioneer

                                                  NEFF-MOON INTERCHANGEABLE CAR SET W/O.B.

By Neff-Moon Toy Company, Sandusky, Ohio. 

During its heyday in the 1920s and 30s, it wasn’t unusual for the custom body industry to offer different styled bodies on the same chassis. This large complete set of pressed steel toys include two friction drive trucks with Packard style front grilles. The six included additional bodies could be interchanged on truck chassis. The bodies include a two door coupe, moving van, Huckster body, police patrol, emergency van and more. All are contained in well labeled original box marked $8.00. SIZE: Box measures 17″ x 23″. Truck chassis measures 14″ l. CONDITION: Although toy has been played with set remains complete and good to very good. Some rooftops of bodies show wear. Friction working on both truck bodies. 1-14581 (1,000-2,000) – Lot 1471*      

(Description James D. Julia)*

Below:

The instructions as to how to assemble the truck with its' different parts.

Below: A photo showing what was in the box
Below are several photos presenting what the contents of the box was.
There were 2 truck bodies, windshields (only 1 here), and 6 interchangeable truck bodies.
The 2 trucks have friction drives to make them go by themselves. The trucks and their respective parts are made of pressed steel.

    It's always fascinating to see the original box that the toy or toys fit into. Having the cardboard box

certainly increases the value of the item up for bidding. As well,  the box and its' cover provides information about what is in the box.

Thanks for dropping by,

And as always,

Have a great part of the day or night,

Wherever you may be,

Stacey Bindman

'(toysearcher@gmail.com)