Milestone Auctions Gallery “Spring Spectacular” Vintage Toy Auction
Saturday April 9th at 10am
38198 Willoughby Parkway Willoughby, Ohio 44094
www.milestoneauctions.com
milestoneauctions@yahoo.com
(440) 527-8060

WILLOUGHBY, OHIO — That swaggering, wisecracking cartoon sailor Popeye has been depicted on countless toys and memorabilia since first appearing in the Thimble Theatre comic strip in 1929. With his spinach-powered superhuman strength, he was an immediate hit with readers of all ages, gaining an even higher level of visibility in his own cartoon series that launched in 1933. Ever since his debut, Popeye — with his girlfriend Olive Oyl and their motley crew of sidekicks in tow — has been an entertaining figure in the public’s consciousness, and vintage toys designed with Popeye’s image have only continued to rise in popularity and price.

On Saturday, April 9, Milestone Auctions will offer a selection of Popeye toys, led by the greatest rarity of them all: a Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank with its original pictorial box.

“Every major collector of Popeye toys — and just about every collector of comic character toys, in general — wants that tank,” said Milestone Auctions co-owner Miles King. “The minute word got out about it, the phones started ringing and collectors started searching for it in the online catalog.”

Made by Linemar (Japanese post-World War II subsidiary of Louis Marx & Co), the 11-inch-long, battery-operated Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank is easily the nicest of few known examples. It is all original and complete, even retaining Popeye’s pipe and the red plastic caps that hold his legs to the tank. When activated, Olive Oyl’s head emerges from the cupola with a surprised expression on her face, as Popeye flips the tank over. The piece de resistance, however, is the crisp, profusely illustrated original box that accompanies the toy. On auction day, bidders will be guided by a $30/40,000 estimate, with a required opening bid of $20,000.

Popeye is more than just a sailor who attracts misadventure, as is apparent in the auction’s more than 60 rare toys with his image. He’s a man of many accomplishments: a pilot, as seen in Linemar’s mechanical Popeye Air-O-Plane with original box ($6/8,000); a strongman hitting a carnival bell in Chein’s Popeye Heavy Hitter, boxed ($5/6,000); and a gymnast in Linemar’s Popeye Acrobat, boxed ($4/6,000). In addition, he’s a scrappy pugilist, starring in Chein’s wind-up Popeye Overhead Puncher, boxed ($4/5,000); and the same manufacturer’s wind-up Shadow Boxer, boxed ($3/4,000). An example of a boxed Linemar battery-operated Popeye And Rowboat, complete with oars and correct remote control ($2,5/3,500).

Japanese, American and European motorcycles and scooters are lined up for the auction, including a Hubley (American) 9-inch cast iron Indian solo motorcycle with a civilian driver, original Indian decals and original pull cord ($2/3,000); and a Georg Levy (German) tin wind-up double rider motorcycle with sidecar ($1,5/2,500). Fans of Japanese postwar tin friction bikes will instantly recognize the large (12-inch version) “Romance” motorcycle with a male driver and female rider ($1,5/2,500).
The American cast iron section includes several “transitional” toys, so named because they reflect the design changes of the period when horse-drawn vehicles were phasing out in favor of motorized types. Three Hubley productions are included in this group: a fire ladder truck, water tower fire truck and fire pumper with a boiler (each $2/2,500). An oversized (27-inch-long) Kenton fire pumper has all of the necessary parts intact, including two jaunty 11-inch horses, two firemen figures, white rubber hoses and brass fittings ($2/3,000).

More than 75 banks — both mechanical and still varieties, primarily of cast iron — are ready for play. Mechanicals include a J&E Stevens Darktown Battery ($1/1,500); a Shepard Hardware Stump Speaker ($800-$1,000); Stevens’ Bad Accident ($800-$1,000); and an all-original yellow-version Cabin ($800-$1,000). A still bank to watch is the Sydenham & McOustra (England) cast-iron Eiffel Tower. The 8¾-inch money box is estimated $600/800.
For those who like high style, there’s a 1920s Steelcraft Packard Deluxe pressed steel pedal car, 49 inches long ($6/8,000). “Only a privileged child could have owned this car,” King observed. “It has a klaxon horn, spotlight, colored marker lights, dash gauges and license plates. You won’t find a better or more original example.” Another 1920s Steelcraft production, a 49-inch “Little Jim” Air Mail pedal airplane, could land at $3/5,000.

Pressed steel highlights continue with a rare 26-inch American National Coal Truck with electric headlights ($3/5,000). The category boasts more than 90 vehicles in total — many of them boxed — encompassing automobiles, airplanes, buses, moving vans, wreckers, fire, delivery, livestock, military and construction trucks; and much more. In addition to American National and Steelcraft, brands represented in the mix include Buddy L, Sturditoy, Turner, Keystone, Cor Cor, Marx, Les Paul, Wyandotte, Sonny, Dayton, Tonka and others.

Milestone’s gallery is at 38198 Willoughby Parkway. For more information, 440-527-8060 or www.milestoneauctions.com.

Milestone Auctions is proud to present this important event. Rare and Wonderful Toys will be offered in this 1-day sale! This auction has many different categories and offers something for every collector!!
Wonderful collection of Cast Iron Cars, Trucks, Motorcycle, Airplanes, Banks, and Doorstops. Many RARE Examples!! Wonderful selection of European and Japanese Motorcycle & Scooters!! The Finest Collection of Popeye Toys ever to come to market! Includes RARE Linemar Battery Op Popeye Tank w/ BOX!!! | Many Japanese & American Character Toys, Tin Windups, and Friction Toys!! Plus, Pressed Steel Trucks, Cars, and Airplanes!! Many with Boxes!!
Full Catalog & Live Bidding Available Thru: www.milestoneauctions.com, Liveauctioneers, Invaluable
Buyer’s Premium: 20% Online, 17% In-House, 3% Added for Credit Card Payments