Bertoia Welcomes Holidays With $2.1 Million Sale

Vineland, N.J.

:The holidays will be happier for collectors of fine toys after Bertoia Auctions' sale this past November 9–11, which totaled $2.1 million.

Highlighting the sale were extraordinary finds from the Fred Cannon holiday collection and, in a word, they were magical.

The session presented a Santa in Airplane candy container at $12,650, Nodding Santa on base for $5,750 and an early Belsnickle Nodder at $6,900. The ornaments capped the session with Dresden gems, including Bear Trainer at $2,875, Bicycle at $4,600, sample box of five hats at $6,900 and rare stage theater for $3,162.

Dolls received plenty of interest, as a Jules Steiner Waltzing Fashion brought $3,737, followed closely by a Pink Lustre Boy China selling for $$2,070. But nothing could have prepared the attendees for a Kamkins Boy and Girl, both selling with original clothing and bringing $10,300 and $10,925, respectively.

Games from the Flora Gill Jacobs collection created excitement as prices for the beautifully lithographed board games had plenty of phone and live bidding action. Results for some included the game of Round the World at $2,300, Old Maid at $3,450 and Major League Baseball at $3,450.

Schoenhuts were offered, and the marquee item was a rare Show Wagon with a well-embossed body and colorful paint, which paraded to $18,400. A popular Schoenhut bread wagon delivered $5,750, while figures commanded a range of bidding results, from $1,092 for a caged giraffe to $2,070 for a fierce-looking gorilla.

Comic character toys included Superman and a lunch box made of steel, which reached $8,625. Popeye, Mortimer Snerd and Mickey Mouse were all present and prices were across the board in a lengthy session.

Tin highlights came from the Ken Hutchison collection, which numbered more than 100 French-dominated luxury auto selections. Citroen's best, the B14 Sedan, drove bidding to $5,750, while a rare Coupe Deville achieved $4,025.

A diverse cast of iron toys were offered. A Hubley Crash car made $12,650, a well detailed Kut-Well Ad Van by Arcade sold for $6,325 and a large Dent Mack Stake Truck realized $4,025. The headliner of the cast iron was an Ives Four Man Bicycle toy, one of only three known, which created a bidding frenzy ending at $31,050.

Mechanical banks captured interest, with a former Sax Professor Pug Frog in Box at $66,700 and a Spize A Mule, also of Sax fame, at $6,900. A supporting cast of rare still banks included City Bank with Dormers bringing $2,587, Field Cannon at $4,025 and Armored Car at $1,495.

A doorstops highlight was an Uncle Sam with original stenciling selling for $18,400, with a strong following, including an Aunt Jemima at $10,350, Little Black Sambo at $10,350 and Rhumba Dancer setting the $10,925 mark.

Collectors of pressed steel were handed some great examples, including an Auburn pedal car in beautiful restored condition, which sold for $9,775.

One of the most followed train lots was a 63 Gravel car, with vertical stripes and excellent lithography; it sold for $3,450. Ships and boats demonstrated high interest. At $21,850, a strikingly large and well-detailed Live Steam Bing Battleship led the flotilla, followed closely by Marklin's Jolanda at $17,250 and a Bing Savoya Ocean Liner at $13,225.

Prices reported include the buyer's premium. For information, 856-692-1881 or www.bertoiaauctions.com .