Milestone Auctions – The Mark Smith Vintage Toy Collection & Other Quality Consignments
September 24 at 10 am
38198 Willoughby Parkway Willoughby, Ohio 44094
www.milestoneauctions.com
milestoneauctions@yahoo.com
440-527-8060
Preview starts at 8:00 AM

WILLOUGHBY, OHIO — On September 24, Milestone will roll out a fresh offering of vintage toys from the Mark Smith collection, with additions from other consignors. The 755-lot auction includes virtually all of the most desired categories, including motorcycles, racers, Japanese tin friction sports cars, American cast iron, tin and pressed steel vehicles (including early Buddy L and Keystone productions,; German and Japanese postwar battery-op cars, construction, military and character toys; antique and vintage bicycles; and antique pedal cars. Many of the toys retain their crisp and colorful original boxes. The sale also features a lineup of gas-powered tether racers, cast iron mechanical banks, trains, a large fleet of boats (many boxed), several steam engines, Britains soldiers and, for robot fans, a Marx Big Loo.

A multitude of buying opportunities will be available to those who favor Japanese and German vehicular toys of the 1950s and 1960s, with many of the best brands represented, e.g., Bandai, Marusan, Distler and Marklin. Some of the top Japanese examples include a 10½-inch-long Bandai tin battery-operated Ferrari gear-shift car, which is in working order and has its original box; and a sleek, red SSS tin friction Mercedes-Benz 300SL convertible, also accompanied by its original pictorial box. Both toys are in fully original condition and carry individual estimates of $200/400.

Fourteen Distler cars replicating Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar models are led by a boxed, battery-operated Electro Matic 7500 Porsche. It is all original and complete, with a clean battery box ($300/500).

More than a dozen elusive gas-powered tether racers will be offered. They’re sure to attract strong interest because of the specialty’s widespread and loyal following. “In the early days of the hobby, before such cars were raced on tracks, they would be raced one at a time while tethered to a pole, hence the name ‘tether racers,’” Miles King explained. “These cars are real thrillers. Racing them is about as close as you can get to feeling like you’re a professional driver without actually being behind the wheel.”

The selection includes examples at a variety of price points. An original 21-inch-long silver Duesenberg #7 gas-powered tether racer is complete with its engine ($4/6,000). An 18-inch-long Hiller Comet gas-powered tether racer with original paint, motor and correct Hiller Comet decal is expected to reach the $1/1,500 range.

Pressed steel collectors are in for a treat. More than two dozen toys made by the Keene, N.H., manufacturer Kingsbury are included in the auction. There are roadsters, town cars, limousines, racers, fire trucks and more. An especially hard-to-find Kingsbury clockwork wrecker in all original condition, finished in orange and black color scheme, is expected to make $1/1,500.

One of the highlight categories of the sale is pedal cars and other pedal vehicles, e.g., airplane, tractor, etc. Leading the lineup is a posh American National Deluxe Coupe pedal car. “This particular pedal car was a top-of-the-line luxury model in its day. It would only have been driven by a child from a very wealthy family,” King observed. “It has opening doors, sliding windows, a dashboard with simulated gauges, and interior upholstery and curtains.” Measuring 68 inches long, it is estimated at $20/40,000. Another noteworthy entry is a rare, early, all-original Gendron chain-drive pedal car with a steel body and wood radiator, tires and frame. It even retains its Gendron Wheel Co factory decal ($8/12,000).

Recalling the days when transportation was on two wheels, Milestone will present ten antique and vintage bicycles, including two rarities made by Fowler, a subsidiary of Hill Manufacturing Co, Chicago. A rare 1890s racing bicycle known as “The Fowler” is in 100 percent original condition with a Fowler truss frame, under-slung handlebars, a leather and wicker-insert seat; and even a leather tool box. Its original black paint is adorned with gold Victorian-style accents ($4/6,000).

Fowler also produced ladies’ models, like the auction’s rare 1890s bicycle in original condition. It has a Fowler truss frame, leather seat with wicker insert, cork grip, and a wood chain guard, rims and rear fender ($2/4,000).

The company’s gallery is at 38198 Willoughby Parkway. Start time: 10 am ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including absentee and live online For information, www.milestoneauctions.com or 440-527-8060.

Excellent collection of Japanese tin friction Sports Cars including Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche, Volkswagon, Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, and Many More!
Large collection of Pressed Steel Trucks by Buddy L, Keystone, Sturditoy, Steelcraft, Kelmet, Sonny, Kingsbury, Tonka, Nylint, and Many More!! Plus important collection of Pedal Cars and Bicycles. Includes “RARE”American National Deluxe Closed Coupe Pedal Car!!! Excellent collection of Gas-Powered Tether Cars including Dusenburg, Dooling, M&T, Bremer, McCoy, Movosprint, Domo, and MORE!!! Plus many more great Vintage Toys includes Cast Irons Cars & Trucks, Tin Windup Toys, Toy Boats, Battery Operated Toys, Character Toys, Steam Engines, Toy Guns, Banks, and Much More!!