Saturday, November 16, 2024

Sunny with Clear Skies

13° C / 56 ° F

A Short Revisit to 

Pook & Pook

I haven't been writing much lately. My brother visited us in October, and we were

 supposed to go to take photographs of the fall foliage. Unfortunately, the weather 

didn't cooperate, and the leaves did not change either here in Quebec (Canada) or in

Vermont (USA). We also went to St. Alban, Vermont, where my parents and us children

 and my aunt, uncle, and their children  used to go in the summer. 

Unfortunately, some 60 years later, everything had changed in St. Albans Bay, 

where we rented summer cottages. We couldn't find the 2 summer cottages,

and the large corn field behind us had disappeared, and was occupied by

many houses.  The only thing that didn't change was the Lake Champlain seashore,

that was across the road from us. 

As Bob Dylan sang in one of his songs: "and the times, they are a changing".

And so, I decided to write a post and cheer up. 

I enjoy writing about toys, as well as learning about them.

So today's post is from Pook & Pook, a fine auctioneer, that

usually has fine collections of toys up for auction.

Please click on this sentence to redirect to this Pook & Pook Auction

The auction was on December 03, 2021

Below:

Scarce McLoughlin Bros. Bulls and Bears Great Wall Street Game

patented 1883

" with a vibrant lithograph box lid of a dressed bull and bear standing on Wall Street,

the original folding board with comic portrait vignettes of Gilded Age stock market

characters Jay Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Horace Greely, includes 

a spinning board, play money, and contracts, 

as well as the original instruction booklet - 

12" (30.48 cm) height, 15 1/4" (38.735 cm)width"

Below:

Marklin Painted Tin Clockwork Musical Carousel, circa 191

With three embossed tin vis-a-vis chariots and three galloping horses, around

a central floral painted column with internal mechanism and hinged box

enclosing the musical comb, retaining the original canopy with fringed

tassel border, the base with a hand crank border is grooved to attach as a steam toy.

Below:

Massive live steam traction engine modelof a 36 horsepower 1912 Case tractor

with wooden bunkers and wood framed tin canopy, 

with brass and steel components.

Length 43" (109.22 cm)

So that's it for today, and thank you for visiting.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman, and I can always be reached at

toysearher@gmail.com

 

The Times They Are a-Changin'

 Sunday, December 31, 2023                                                                                                         

-3 Celcius / 26.6 F

Overcast with some flurries

    There's a song title by the famous American folk singer, Bob Dylan. The name of the song is

"The Times They Are a-Changin". And so it goes with toys and toy auctions. In the last couple of years, well-known American toy auctioneers have joined an ever-growing auction website by the name 

liveauctioneers.   

    I haven't contacted the many auctioneers whom have allowed me to write about them, and of course use their excellently-photographed toys at their auction websites.  But in the last 2 years, I've noticed that several respected and renowned auctioneers have joined 

liveauctioneers.

    Interestingly, many of them still retain and maintain their websites, along with the ability to view their auctions. Bidding takes place on LiveAuctioneers, and I'll have to contact one of the fine American toy auctioneers to see if bidders can still bid on both their websites, as well as on

 liveauctioneers.

Liveauctioneers is a website that  has become very popular and has got quite large. It's a website that allows all kinds of different types of auctioneer companies to present their merchandise and auctions there. If you go there, you will see all kinds of different types of merchandise. Naturally, I've only written and presented old and antique toy auctioneers.  I've only presented a small number of companies that I've written about, but there are also, many more that you will find on this website.

CYBERTOYAUCTIONS is another well-known American auction company that now can be found on liveauctioneers.   

The 3 companies shown below happen to be owned by CYBERTOYAUCTIONS. Old Toy Soldier Auctions USA, is a special auction company that specializes in "old toy soldiers". 

You can go to the liveauctioneers website by clicking on the link below:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/

Once you are on the liveauctioneers opening page, you can search for the auctioneers that I've

listed today, and you will be redirected to any of the companies that I've added to this post today. 

You will also be able to search out for other toy auctioneer companies.

As always,

Thanks for dropping by.

Have a great part of the day or night.

My name is (Mr.) Stacey Bindman

and I can always be reached at:

toysearcher@gmail.com

And one final note:

To all of my readers, thanks for dropping by,

and have a Healthy and Happy New Year.

  

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                         

Carette Steam Engines And Their Accessories

Saturday, March 24, 2018
Sunny with Cloudy Periods
3 C  37.4 F

Carette Steam Engines 

and Their Accessories

Noel

Barrett

Please click here to visit these fine American auctioneers

One of the more interesting toys of the Early 20th century were the steam engines.  These machines were miniature reproductions of life-size steam engines miniatured for children to play with. However, these machines had to be supervised by parents as they were very hot when operated, and  ran on alcohol as a fuel.

Georges Carette was one of the best known manufacturers of these toys. Not only were there small steam engines, but there were accessories to have the engine run them.

The toy steam engine consisted of a fuel source, which heated up air to run a piston, that would turn a flywheel. Attached to the flywheel was a metal cord that ran up to a driving pulley wheel, which also had working driving pulleys. The last-mentioned pulleys would then attach to toy accessories that also had drive pulleys that ran theses accessories.

 Drive pulleys that you see below, could attach to small men characters that did assorted "jobs" that you will see later on. These pulleys could be single or in multiples as the sketches below illustrate.

Below are working models of assorted machine shop machines. 
These are without people. 

Below are working shop machines with people.

Each toy had a driving pulley wheel that would attach to the 

driving pulley wheel of the steam engine.

Below, the scan page illustrates many people operating different machines.

Each machine has its' own driving pulley wheel in front.

The page below illustrates even more complex and sophisticated machines.

 Here's an actual toy machine from the Pook & Pook / Noel Barrett auction.

There are 2 workers hammering a piece of iron. The driving pulley can be seen in front, 

attached beside the anvil.

One is chopping a block of wood, while the left person is a locksmith filing something. 

The models could be anywhere from 3"-5" tall (7.6 cm - 12.6 cm)

Below are 4 machinists working at the same time. You can clearly see the 4driving pulleys that are attached to the driving pulleys of the actual machines that the workers are at.

 The larger driving pulley to the extreme left and the largest is the master driving pulley,. That pulley would be attached to the steam engine.

Finally, a pair of riders on horses. You can see the large red driving pulley

at the left in the photo.

I'm sure that many of the steam engines found at auction might still be operable and could attach to the people working models that you saw above. Of course, you'd have to be very careful operating these machines, and you should be taking these machines outdoors for safety purposes. 
Once the driving pulleys of the steam engine and small toys were attached, you could see a miniature group of tradesmen plying their trades.

There are still today manufacturers of miniature steam engines. If you type in miniature steam engines or toy steam engines, you will come across the brand names of  the manufacturers - Wilesco, Mamod, and Jensen. 

Even today, these miniature models are still popular!

Thanks for visiting,
and as always
Have a great part 
of the day or evening.

Stacey Bindman
toysearcher@gmail.com

A Combination of Two Great Teams

Friday, February 9, 2018
Partly sunny with clouds
-9 C   14.8 F

I don't often add much narrative to a post from the guest, but in this case, it is special.

I've written about the fine auction company of Pook & Pook by itself. However, in 2016, Pook & Pook teamed up with another famous  person and company, by the name of Mr. Noel Barrett. You've probably seen Mr. Barrett on PBS and the specific show titled the "Antiques Road Show". 

On the program, Mr. Barrett is a specialist in toys, and you can often see him giving interesting narratives about old and antique toys.

Pook & Pook, Inc. Teams up with Noel Barret

Pook & Pook, Inc. Auctioneers and Appraisers is excited to announce a new collaboration with the jovial, mustachioed king of toy auctions, Noel Barrett. After over forty years “playing” with antique toys, first as a dealer then, starting in 1988, as an auctioneer, Barrett is teaming up with Pook & Pook, Inc., a premier east coast auction firm. Barrett and Pook & Pook, Inc.’s founder, Ron Pook, expressed excitement about joining forces, a move that will benefit both companies, buyers, and sellers. The big question, however, is why these two well-established auction houses are looking to collaborate after decades of going it alone.

Noel Barrett started his love affair with toys, predictably, at an early age. Over time, his fascination evolved from seeing toys as “neat things to have” to pursuing the business behind childhood nostalgia. “[Toys are] something that I’ve always enjoyed…I’ve turned a hobby into a business.” said Barrett. Years of hunting and dealing helped Barrett build both a superior knowledge of his field and a loyal client base, things that made his eventual auction business a hot spot for collectors. Personally involved in all aspects of the auction process, Barrett found success by applying his knowledge and continued enthusiasm towards one or two finely-curated auctions a year. “Success” also might be a bit of an understatement. Noel Barrett hosted the five-million-dollar toy and train auction of the late Disney animator Ward Kimball. He has also handled five auctions dispersing the Toy Museum of Atlanta, the three sales of Bill and Lillian Gottschalk’s record setting toy automobilia and steam toy collection, and the collection of the Washington Dollhouse and Toy Museum.

Barrett’s skills and personality were also recognized by the creators of PBS’s hit television show, Antiques Roadshow. He appeared on the American inaugural season and has been involved ever since, missing only three shows in over twenty years. Antiques Roadshow was also one impetus for Barrett’s recent expansion; after being approached by viewers and other admirers of his business, Barrett broadened his offerings to include categories such as vintage advertising, salesman’s samples, and unique models.

Pook & Pook was founded by Ron and Debra Pook in 1984. Like Barrett, Ron and Deb started off as antique dealers and graduated to auctioneers in the 80’s to accommodate the needs of their ever growing family. They soon became a record setting auction firm, offering some of the finest antique furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories on the market. With a 97% selling rate and up to twenty annual auctions that repeatedly exceed the million-dollar mark, Pook & Pook, Inc. is also a leader in innovation.  In 2013, the company joined with five other respected auction houses to create Bidsquare.com, an improved online auction platform, and have become a leading presence in the online auction trend.

Starting in the fall of 2016, bidders can expect both companies to present several collaborative auctions under the designation “Pook & Pook, Inc. with Noel Barrett.” These auctions will take place at Pook & Pook, Inc.’s auction gallery in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, with Noel continuing to secure collections, research and describe the toys, and assist with catalog production. Ron Pook called the development a “great opportunity for Noel to increase his media presence and online exposure and an equally good opportunity for Pook & Pook to expand our business guided by Noel’s expertise and reputation” and promised that “Pook & Pook will now have an entire toy division dedicated to doing several toy auctions each year.”.

Pook & Pook, Inc., Auctioneers and Appraisers
463 E. Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19335
T: 610.269.4040 | F: 610.269.9274
WEBSITE: www.pookandpook.com | EMAIL: deirdre@pookandpook.com

( description above courtesy of Pook & Pook Inc.)

Schoenhut dolls were wooden dolls produced by the Schoenhut Piano Company between 1903 and 1935. Thge company, founded by woodworker Albert Schoenhut initially made toy pianos.

They began producing wood figurines as you see below in the early 1900's. These also included the more-complex  wooden circus-themed sets and animals. In 1911, the company introduced the first doll in the world able to be posed and manipulated. The Humpty Dumpty circus set was produced in 1903. featuring a lady and gentleman acrobats a line tamer, a lady circus rider, and a ringmaster.In 1908, the Rolly Dolly Dolls (seen below) was created. This contained weights inside a pear-shaped body that allowed the toy to bob back and forth without tipping over.*

* Courtesy of Wikipedia

Schoenhut painted wood African drummer

with a two-part head, the original drum, and drumsticks

Height:  8"  203 mm

Rare Schoenhut half rolly dolly sheep with glass eyes

Height:  8 1/2"  216 mm

Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus cage wagon with a driver

H x L :  15 1/4" x 16"  386 mm x 405 mm

Schoenhut Painted wood hyena with glass eyes

Length:  6 1/2"  65 mm

Rare large Schoenhut dapple white painted wood pony

H x L:  21"  x 26"  533 mm x 660 mm

Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty circus tent

Height x Width  27" x 44"  68.5 cm x 1.11 M

Schoenhut painted wood great white hunter

with an associated pistol

Height :  8"   203 mm

Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty circus parade band with a team of four horses,

to include six musicians with instruments and a driver.

Length:  42"  1.07m

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great day or evening.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

More of Pinterest

Friday, October 21, 2016
Cloudy
13 Celsius / 56 Fahrenheit

More of Pinterest

Please click here to visit Pinterest

Yesterday, I wrote about Pinterest and how this website was a good website to search for toys. 

However, there are some "quirks" (idiosyncrasies).It's not the end of the world, and you can even find what you are looking for.

Below is a search result that I did for antique toys. Notice that I have added numbers "1" and "2".
It's obvious from the photos, that 2 Pinterest members "borrowed" identical images from the Internet from 2 different sources.

I decided to check the 2 search results.

This is a magnification of the 2 identical photos from 2 different locations of the same toy.

 When I clicked on the #1 image above, an enlargement (below) emerged.

 And when I clicked on the larger above image, I got the result below.
The result is from a very fine and superb website called Pook & Pook.
The minor problem is that the toy was auctioned in 2013, and Pook and Pook probably removed the 
image and descriptions. Their website usually has about 12-16 antique toys for sale at any one time, so I assume they needed space, and removed the toy.

Below is the #2 image from another location.

Once again, when I clicked on the camera photo (above), I was redirected to the photo's owner and website. It turned out to be another great website called Liveauctioneers. Liveauctioneers

is a website that adds hundreds of different types of auctioneers on their website. This is convenient for both auctioneers and potential bidders because many auctioneers  are on one website. This offers  additional promotion to the auctioneers, and the bidders do not have to go to 10 different websites to search for toys or other merchandise.They can look for everything on this one website.

When I clicked on the camel image (above),this is the result that I got. 

And when I clicked on the above image, I got the information below. There was a result of the bidding price, as well  as another toy similar in type. By the way, this type of toy is called a pull toy. A piece of cord would be attached to the front of the pull toy, and as the toy was pulled along the ground or sidewalk, the toy would ring. These toys were very popular in the 1880's-1920's.

When I clicked on the small photo of the boy and the alligator, I obtained an enlargement..

The final judgement for Pinterest is that it's a fine website. However, you have to a lot of work to get excellent photos and excellent descriptions of a specific toy. And if you have a  direct link to any of the larger toy auction companies or toy sellers on ebay, you will get more information on the toy, price estimates or final winner of the toy, and great photos.

It's all a matter of being patient, but you will find out what you are looking for eventually.

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