Morphy Auctions' Spring Sale Grosses Record $2.8 Million

DENVER, PENN.

:Collectors of American toys and mechanical banks knew a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when they saw it, March 30-31 and April 1 at Morphy Auctions' spring sale. The blue-chip contents of the Bob Brady collection drew thousands of bids as enthusiasts vied for long-held rarities with lofty pedigrees. As the hammer fell on the final lot, no. 2251, the total had topped $2.8 million, setting a new record for the rapidly growing, 2 1/2-year-old auction house.

The three-day buying-and-selling extravaganza was off to a running start with vintage toys from the Leonardo DiCaprio collection. Star Wars and GI Joe toys bearing special tags denoting their provenance brought unheard-of prices.

"There were several top collectors here bidding who said we got world record prices for many of the pieces," said Morphy Auctions' chief operating officer Dan Morphy. All proceeds from their sale, which totaled $110,000, have been donated to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which supports environmental-protection efforts worldwide.

DiCaprio, who was on a movie set in Africa as the auction was going on, was notified of the total, which more than tripled presale expectations. Through his assistant, DiCaprio conveyed his thanks to Morphy's team for a job well done and expressed that he was "very pleased" with the results.

A phalanx of robots and Japanese superheroes, some from the collection of Carl Lobel, also put in a stellar performance - especially those examples retaining their rare original boxes. As predicted, a 16-inch tin-bodied walking Ultraman superhero with illuminating chest and eyes, complete with dramatically pictorial box, led the group at $6,720.

The second session contained antique advertising, vehicular toys and the day's highlight - Part II of the Gary Selmonsky comic character collection. "The Selmonsky toys brought excellent prices," said Morphy. "They proved the merits of being particular about condition and rarity."

While Disney character toys were consistently strong, it was a large (14 by 11 inches) and whimsical Felix the Cat tin windup toy that swept top honors in the category. A depiction of Felix and two smaller Felix figures "chasing" two red mice, the circa 1926 platform toy made by J. Chein is one of only four examples known to exist. It captured $29,120 against a $10/15,000 estimate.

The auction room was buzzing on the third and final day of the event, as approximately 200 choice lots from the Bob Brady collection took the spotlight. Many veteran collectors came out of the woodwork to go head to head with phone and Internet bidders, resulting in some spectacular prices. Cast-iron mechanical banks ruled the session, with two examples - an 1887 Shepard Hardware Co. Circus bank (ex-Oliver Clark collection) and 1870 J. & E. Stevens Horse Race bank (ex-L.C. Hegarty collection) - breaking the six-figure barrier. Each garnered audience applause upon settling at $100,800.

"I suspected those particular banks would do well," said Brady, "because there were people who had indicated they would be bidding very aggressively on them. I was more surprised by the Mama Katzenjammer [Kenton, circa 1908, ex-Alan Joy collection] and Picture Gallery [Shepard Hardware Co., circa 1885, ex-Curt Patzloff collection], which sold for $67,200 each; and the Giant in the Tower [John Harper & Co., 1892, ex-Perelman Museum collection]." The latter bank was purchased by an eBay Live Auctions bidder for $42,000.

Brady was stunned by the $30,800 paid for a 1928 Hubley Harley-Davidson Parcel Post motorcycle with hinged rear door and original wood-beaded pull string.

"I bought that toy for $4,500 around 20 years ago from a dealer in Chicago, and almost passed on it because of the price. But I ended up buying it because it was the best condition I had ever seen. I never needed to upgrade that one." The 9 1/4 -inch cast-iron motorcycle had been entered with a $5/7,000 estimate.

Brady's consignment garnered a total of $1.15 million, and all profits for the mammoth payday will go toward establishing trust funds for his grandchildren's educations. Based on the prices paid for Brady's magnificent toys, there should be more than enough to finance PhDs for the Brady bunch at any university in the world.

The auction's closing section comprised more than 500 lots of figural cast iron, including doorstops, bookends, bottle openers and other decorative objects.

"As usual, condition was a big factor," said Morphy, "and pricewise, there were many surprises. A carnival target of an Asian man that had been estimated at $1/1,500 ended up selling for $15,680. People were in awe of the price, but I thought it should have brought every penny, and more, because it's so rare to find one in that condition. It wouldn't have surprised me if it had sold for $30-$40,000."

Prices reported include 12 percent buyer's premium.

Morphy Auctions' no-reserve summer sale will be conducted June 15-17 and will feature 2,200 lots from dozens of antique categories. For information, 717- 335-3435 or www.morphyauctions.com.