Marklin Toy Train Station Sets $110,000 Record at Noel Barrett Auction

PHILADELPHIA, PENN.

:"American collectors came loaded for bear," stated auctioneer Noel Barrett after the final session of the Ward Kimball Train and Toy Collection offered over the weekend of May 27. The first session of the Kimball auction, which took place last November, saw many of the top lots go abroad after selling to the European trade; this time around, however, Americans collectors stepped up to the plate and made sure there would not be a repeat performance.

Combined, the two Kimball auctions grossed an impressive $5 million with this most recent session posting a total of $2.2 million, well above the high estimate of $1.5 million. "Kimball is certainly the biggest single-owner toy and train auction of all time," boasted Barrett after the results were tallied. Numerous record prices were established throughout the auction.

Ward Kimball was one of the most renown in a stable of animators under the wing of Walt Disney and in his personal life was regarded as a train collector extraordinaire. Kimball created magic on the silver screen for some 40 years as an animator and directing animator. He worked on such Disney classics as Fantasia, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Mary Poppins and The Three Caballeros.

He was best known as the inventor of Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio's "conscience." He was also the artist whose pen changed Mickey Mouse from a ratty, pointy-nosed rodent to a friendlier-looking, more plump-faced character.

Kimball began his train collection more than 60 years ago, stated Barrett, and fittingly his collecting efforts once again created their own sort of magic as they crossed the auction block.

Turnout for the auction was "as strong or stronger than last time" according to the auctioneer, "and it stayed strong right to the bitter end." While the European contingency of collectors and trade was larger than at the past auction, there was a serious determination by American buyers not to let a lot of the material leave the country.

"I think they [the Europeans] bought a little less than last time overall," stated Barrett, "perhaps it was the Euro weakening a little." However, the auctioneer then reasoned that the American collectors were somewhat more determined this time around. "What happened last time was a bit of a shock," he said, "The guy that bought the big [Marklin] station for over $100,000 said he was not letting it leave the country. He was going to buy it no matter what.

"Estimates were a little more aggressive this time," stated Barrett, partially "because of some of the history from the previous sale." Last November, many of the items from the Kimball collection soared past estimates. Despite the adjustments this time around, that proved to be the case once again.

The auction got off to a "rousing start with the railroadiana," stated Barrett. "Generally the railroadiana has been sort of a dull market, but the Kimball collection got us started off with a bang." The first lot offered, a Union and Pacific railroad poster, carried a presale estimate of $200, yet when the bidding battle had subsided, $1,540 had been realized

A couple lots later, three brass circular engine plates from locomotives that carried a $75/100 estimate hammered down at $1,760. The biggest surprise of the railroadiana items came as a group of lanterns was offered.

"I had done some researching for lanterns on eBay because they just sort of sit around and don't seem to have much of a market," said Barrett. "We had three lots of a pair each, all estimated at $100/200. The first lot shocked me when it sold for $1,650," he said. "The next lot brought $770 and I thought, 'Oh well, the first one was a fluke.' Then the third pair brought $9,900," he said quizzically. All sold to a buyer in the hall. The final lot attracted the attention, according to the auctioneer, due to one of the lanterns being marked Virginia and Truckey Rail Road, a very early and scarce lantern.

Another of the lots to raise an eyebrow or two during the evening session was the Erector locomotive and tender that far surpassed estimates, bringing $8,800.

Saturday's session saw an even larger crowd in attendance and active bidding from telephone bidders, Internet bidders and a determined crowd. Although a host of records for individual pieces were established throughout the day, two stood out from the rest: a Marklin station that sold for $110,000 and a large and handsome Marklin #2609 locomotive and tender that was massive in scale and beautifully hand enameled.

Bidding on the Marklin station turned into a grudge match between a private East Coast collector and a European collector, both of whom were strategically positioned in the gallery. "It turned into a fight between Europe and America and America took the prize," stated Barrett. The station, a Marklin Central Station with platform was cataloged as "truly one of Marklin's most impressive productions and one of the largest."

The hand painted station featured five completely fitted interior rooms complete with tables, chairs and benches, and a five-segment painted tin and cast iron platform cover with etched glass. The piece retained all the original parts, including the telegraph receivers and flag, and carried a presale estimate of $30/40,000. Bidding on the lot bounced back and forth around the gallery with several getting in on the action early on, as well as some telephone bidding.

In the end, however, it came down to the two collectors in the room with the American winning the lot for $110,000, including premium. The station measured 29 inches long and more than 19 inches high.

The previous record price paid at auction was believed to have been established at part one of the Kimball auction when a smaller Marklin station with glass canopy realized $49,500.

Another world record price paid at auction was established for a rare Marklin #2609 locomotive and tender that was "massive in scale and beautifully hand enameled." The gauge III piece was a live steam engine with "amazing detail." In overall excellent condition, the lot was estimated at $25/35,000, yet when bidding was finished the lot hammered down at $82,500.

A Marklin gauge II F&E live steam passenger set that was termed "truly one of Marklin's finest" also saw active bidding, ending in a price realized that nearly tripled estimates. The rare live American steam set with 4-4-0 locomotive with nickel plate trim and four hinged roof coaches with full interiors realized $63,250.

Other top lots included a Marklin gauge I Union Traction Co. clockwork trolley that had been produced for the American market. The piece was a delight to the eye with its hand enameled surfaces in bright red and yellow with a green roof. This piece also handily exceeded the $20/30,000 estimates, bringing $49,500.

A rare Ernest Plank gauge III live steam passenger train came with its original wooden presentation box and circle track. The piece was cataloged as showing "very little use" with only the headlamps having been replaced. The locomotive, tender and two passenger cars brought $46,750.

A "Charles Dickens" passenger set by Bing also retained its original wooden box and was also in excellent condition. In a European style and also with its circle track, the lot soared past the $15/18,000 estimates as it was knocked down at $41,800.

Another Marklin station to bring a premium price was the Grand Central Station, a fine piece that was made expressly for the American market. This colorful hand enameled station also more than doubled estimates when it sold for $33,000. An Ives Grand Central Station with 32-panel covered platform with highly decorative lithographed building brought $24,200.

Howard sets were also the subject of active bidding with a PPR 4-2-0 locomotive with a "Russian" iron boiler, mail car and two passenger coaches more than tripling estimates at $37,400. A Howard NYC & HRRR American steam engine with integral tender, box and passenger car in yellow paint brought $25,300, and a Howard #879 steam profile set with red painted box and passenger car realized $34,100 against a presale estimate of $10/12,000.

This portion of the auction featured the large collection of Ives trains that Kimball had collected with a gauge I #40 TCLE five-piece passenger set with locomotive, tender, baggage and two passenger cars selling at the high estimate of $28,600.

A Schoenner American profile live steam train with tender and passenger car sold for $25,300, while a small Marklin Electric Tramway trolley with driver brought $24,200.

Prices include the ten percent buyer's premium charged.