German Motorcycle Toy Drives Four Seasons Estate Sale

Atlanta. Ga.

:A rare windup toy motorcycle made by the German firm Ki-Co around 1910 sold for $5,060 at Four Seasons Auction Gallery's recent estate sale. The penny toy, measuring 4 by 3 inches, had all its original paint and was in excellent condition.

With four lifetime toy collections in more than 1,000 lots, the sale was the first of six over a two-week period. All three sales featured more than 1,000 lots each.

Highlights from the first sale included a program from the 1912 Indianapolis Motor Speedway (from an early running of the "Indy 500"). In like-new condition, and having been found at the bottom of a box, the program sold for $1,155. Most similar examples are of a much later vintage, and in lesser condition.

Advertising offerings included a framed George T. Stagg Co. Distillers (Frankfort, Ky.) advertising sign, circa 1880–1900, 3 feet tall, depicting two deer sipping from a barrel that had fallen from the delivery truck, that went for $2,860; and an oval Fehrs Malt Tonic tray, Louisville, Ky., circa 1880–1900, 2 feet tall wide, showing winged angels, that rose to $1,210. A Coca-Cola pocket mirror, dated 1922, realized $1,100.

Highlights from the July 30 multi-estate sale included a Sheraton sideboard, circa 1840, with original brass gallery on back, serpentine front and early dovetail drawers that realized $2,860. A French provincial country armoire, circa 1820, solid cherry with chevron panels and all pegged construction, commanded $2,300.

Two pieces drew the most attention in the artwork category, and both sold for $2,640. One was an original oil on canvas by the British painter Percy Belgrave, artist signed and dated 1893. The other was an oil on canvas by the British artist J. Shearer, "Fishing Off Liverpool," artist signed and dated 1900.

Highlights from the August 6 on-site sale in Marietta included three grandfather clocks. One was English, one was Scottish and all three were circa 1820–1860 and rang out at $2,200 each. Five Ansonia china case clocks, Royal Bonn, Germany, 1880–1900, sold for prices ranging from $440 to $1,320.

A pair of majolica jardinieres went for $1,540 while a Roseville jardiniere garnered $467. A hand painted fish plate set from Vienna, Austria, 1880–1900, with bone dishes (to include sauce boat and platter) found a new home for $1,100.

All prices quoted include a ten percent buyer's premium. For information, www.fsagallery.com. or 404- 876-1048.