A Revisit to American Antique Auctions Brings a Wonderful Surprise

Friday, January 10,2024

-8° C / 17° F

Clear Skies and Damp

A Revisit to American Antique Auctions

Brings a Wonderful Surprise

Please click on this sentence to redirect to this very interesting auction

I like to revisit people and company sites or auction sites to see how 
they're doing and of course, to have a look at their toys. I hadn't written a blog 

post for American Antique Auctions in a long time, so I decided to visit Liveauctioneers. where their auctions are, past and present. I looked at the American Antique Auction's past auctions, and I saw something that immediately caught my attention. It was a doll, but not just any doll!

The title of the auction was:

Antique Toys, Cap Guns, Signs & Machines

The title was too much for one post, so I decided to 

look at the Schoenhut dolls. And then I saw a most-unique doll.

It was Teddy Roosevelt, the USA President from 1901-1909

He had a nickname "Rough Rider" which he was given when he was

 promoted to become commander of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, who rode horses.*

Please click on this sentence to read about Teddy Roosevelt on Wikipedia

I was like a fish seeing a worm! I had to go see this auction, and see what I'd find.

The array of toys was so eclectic and varied, but so appealing. I didn't know 

where to start.  But then I saw the a figure, and I knew this would be 

the theme of today's post. Moreover, there were other figures manufactured by 

Schoenhut.

The Schoenhut Piano Company , which still continues was established in

1872 by Mr. Albert Schoenhut, who emigrated from Germany and founded his company A.Schoenhut Company. Albert Schoenhut was a craftsman who began making toys as a young boy, having been attracted to this hobby from his father and grandfather, both of whom were toy and doll makers*

Please click on this link to redirect to Wikipedia

Another reason for writing this blog post was the fact that I never wrote 

 a post about Schoenhut or their nice toys. Interestingly, the company still 

exists to this day.

Description*(below)

"Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Animals

 Kangaroo spotted leopard & cat. The leopard and kangaroo have glass eyes.

All appear repainted, Hard to find group"

Courtesy of American Antique Auctions*

Description

Four Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Clowns

Description

 Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Animals

Camel with 2 humps and laughing Jack ass

Description

 Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Lady Acrobat

with ladder. Excellent wooden jointed figure,

7 1/2" (19.05 cm) tall

Description

 Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Animals. Kangaroo, spotted leopard

& cat. Leopard and Kangaroo have glass eyes. All appear repainte.

Description

 Schoenhut Circus lion with carved mane and painted eyes.

7" (17.78cm) tall

Description

 Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty Circus Monkey & Buffalo.

Buffalo is 8" (20.32 cm) long with painted eyes.

Monkey is 8" (20.32 cm) tall

Description

 Schoenhut 

 Teddy Roosevelt Safari Figure.

Very Rare figure from the safari set.

 Wooden jointed figure,with safari outfit and original belt holding 

dagger and camera, 2 helmets included. 8 1/2" (21.59 cm)

Seldom turns up.

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

Bertoia Auctions New Year of Auctions Starts

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Bertoia Auctions 

New Year of Actions Starts

   The new year's season of auctions  has started for some, and Bertoia Auctions has posted the upcoming March  auction. I had spoken with Michael Bertoia recently about something else, when I asked him where his fine items coming up for action come from. He mentioned that some come from Europe, which surprise and didn't surprise me.  If you're a world-renowned toy auctioneer, where else to send your toys for action than to Bertoia Auctions. I know of some who recently wanted to sell a painting by a famous European artist. She decided to sent it to Bonham's in London, England to be put up for auction.

   For today, I decided to simply select 4 choice listings, rather than my usual compliment of 10. 

Please click here to visit the fine website of Bertoia Auctions

There was no date to indicate when this item might have been made.

It's certainly a very nice and colourful item, and the minimum bidding price was high. It's interesting how Walt Disney's character's gained world attention, and Mickey andMinnie toys would be made in Germany and elsewhere.

There was no date indicated on the description for this fine Schoenhut Humpty Circus,but  it's quite old, and probably from the 1920's. If you look at the bottom photo of the middle diptych ( a paint of photos or art placed together in a frame), you will see the words ""unbreakable jointed". The last word is missing, but must have read "figures". As you can see, these toys are still intact and in very good condition after nearly 100 years!

I selected this fine toy because it was hand-painted. Moreover,the ballerina came with a cloth dress. It's interesting how the musician would have been made from tin with his clothing painted, while the ballerina, also made from ton is clad in delicate fabric with a nice bow around her waist.

The final selection is of a clown teaching a large bird to sing. I couldn't resist the whimsical nature of this toy.  What's interesting both with the preceding toy (musician and ballerina) and the above toy is that both have movement and sound. 

What's interesting to al of the toys is their strong bold and vibrant colour themes, as well as the fact that they have survived for so long through good  and times. 

You have to sometimes wonder what these toys could tell us if they could talk!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.

Stacey

Please feel free to write to me anytime at:

toysearcher@gmail.com