A late arrival to Randy Inman Auctions’ Spring Toy Sale, a 1930s Buddy L bus in 8+ to 9 condition, took the blue ribbon at the March 17-19 event when it sold for $12,100.

“The consignor had owned the bus for some time, and after seeing one of our ads, decided to consign it,” said Inman Auctions’ co-owner Randy Inman. “The buses aren’t rare, but finding them in this condition is uncommon. This was the best one I’ve seen since the one that was in like-new condition and sold for $44,000 three years ago.” The 29-inch-long bus in Inman’s sale was nearly as nice. “That’s what collectors are holding out for – examples in top condition.”

The three-day auction generated strong prices with the exception of Converse dollhouses, which were somewhat soft. Inman attributed strong prices for Arcade cast iron toys to the consignor’s practice of buying only toys that were in exceptional condition. “Prices for cast iron toys have been generally weak,” said Inman, noting that results of other cast iron items at his sale were “up and down.”

The auction started with a bang as bidders dueled for a large collection of cap guns. A double-holster set of Gene Autry nickel-plated revolvers by Leslie Henry hit within the $200/400 target, selling for $275. Leading the toy guns, however, was a 7-inch nickel-plated Cadet cap gun bearing a caricature of a black man’s face. In excellent condition, this rare pistol more than doubled the high estimate, selling for $1,045.

All the parts often missing on the Steelcraft Mack Bulldog dump truck were present on this early pedal car that fetched $7,700.

A rare moon-faced cap bomb of nickel-plated cast ironfeatured a grotesque round face at the end of its handle. With apatent date of 1890, this toy surpassed its $300/500 estimate tosell for $1,100.

Reminiscent of the 1954 Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz movie The Long, Long Trailer, several sets of automobiles towing mobile homes were popular. The best was a Smith-Miller Lincoln Zephyr and tandem-axle house trailer measuring 39 inches overall. In excellent condition with the original box, the set ($800/1,000) sold for $2,530.

In addition to the sale-topping bus, an early Buddy L wrecker in original condition far exceeded its $2/2,500 estimate. The 28-inch-long toy sold for $4,675, despite having one bad tire. A 29-inch-long pressed-steel Fire Chief car by American National arrived close to its high estimate, selling for $2,310. This scarce pull toy had major paint loss and was missing a hubcap.

An early 1900s Structo wind-up tractor and cart ($1,5/2,000), also in pressed steel, brought $3,520. Structo’s No. 56 sand sifter and dump truck set sold for $2,750. This hard-to-find complete set from the 1920s had been estimated at $1/1,250. A Structo No. 8 auto builder kit to assemble a clockwork racer ($900/1,200) finished at $2,970.

An early Steelcraft Mack dump truck pedal car ($4/6,000), measuring 63 inches, which retained all its original components and most of its original paint, made $7,700.

Minor overall paint loss and a replaced bucket detracted little from this scarce Arcade Industrial Derrick, which towered over its category at $4,125.

A Doepke Rolybird pedal helicopter, one of only a handfulknown to exist, barely got off the ground as bidding started atonly $25. Measuring 53 by 40 inches, this early whirlybird toyfinally rose to the consignor’s expectations, selling for $4,400.

Toy vehicles made by Arcade Manufacturing Co. were among the most popular. A rare 1932 Cat Crawler, just under 4 inches long, with original paint and patina, more than doubled its high estimate to sell for $3,300. A big surprise was a 1932 Arcade industrial derrick, which was estimated to bring $600/900. With minor paint loss and a replaced bucket, this hard-to-find cast iron toy was scooped up for $4,125.

Arcade’s 1935 Tom Mix Circus and Wild West wagon, drawn by a pair of white horses, was estimated at $1,2/1,500 but kept rolling to $2,640. This rare set was 14 1/2 inches long and in near-mint condition. A clean example of Arcade’s four-car transport ($1,2/1,500) made $2,310. Bidding on a rare 8-inch-long Bullet Racer reached $2,520. Arcade’s 131/2-inch-long Mack tanker truck advertising Texaco Petroleum products ($3,5/5,000) sold for $3,850. A nice example of the popular Arcade Yellow Cab No. 1, measuring 9 inches long, arrived at $1,320. An 8 1/4-inch-long Yellow Cab panel truck ($1,5/1,800) delivered a $2,860 winning bid.

While a fine example of the Darktown Battery mechanical bank dominated its category, selling for $2,750 against a $2,5/3,000, Arcade still banks also performed well within their respective specialty group. Arcade’s Century of Progress still bank surpassed the high estimate to sell for $1,870. A rare Arcade Hotpoint stove-type still bank in porcelain enamel brought $1,045; and a 1926 Arcade Security bank in slightly discolored nickel plate more than doubled the high estimate to earn $495. Arcade animal still banks charging beyond expectations were a 5-inch rhino bank and a 4 1/2-inch opossum bank, which sold for $605 and $660 respectively.

Structo’s windup Uba tractor crawled along pulling a four-wheel cart. The early 1900s pressed steel toy achieved $3,520.

Although it was not a toy, an 11-inch-tall patent model of aCedar Rapids-brand rock crusher exceeded expectations, selling for$4,125. Several die-cast models of Iowa Manufacturing Co.’s CedarRapids Pitmaster rock crusher were offered at the auction. Oneexample representing new-old stock in its previously unopened boxsold for $2,640.

All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium. Randy Inman Auctions’ June 9-10 no reserve sale will feature classic automobiles, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, automobiliana and petroliana from the now-closed Blue Ridge Vintage Car Museum in Stuart, Va., and a 150-piece private collection of penny arcade machines, highlighted by upright slot machines and a variety of coveted strength testers, including a rare Mickey Finn. For information, 207-872-6900, e-mail info@inmanauctions.com or www.inmanauctions.com.