Last May’s world auction record for a Marklin paddle wheeler that was set by Bertoia’s has sailed away. A new auction record price of $264,500, including the buyer’s premium, was set Saturday, November 10, again at Bertoia’s. The Chicago beat out the world record set of $247,000, achieved by the Providence last spring by nearly $20,000.

“It’s just one of the most luxurious boats with the utmost artistic perfection,” said Jeanne Bertoia. “It’s a fabulous Marklin paddle wheeler from 1900‰2 and it has the detailing and the craftsmanship that Marklin is known for. It is more ornate and detailed than most of the other Marklins.”

Crossing the block about 150 lots into the sale, the Chicago provoked a bidding war with heavy action on the phones and in the room until about the $200,000 mark, when the field of contenders narrowed and bidding jumped in $10,000 increments. The winner was a private American collector bidding on the phone and no stranger to Bertoia’s auctions, while the underbidder was in the room.

The ship, with its exceptionally fine detailing, especially on the rails, graced the cover of Dick Claus’s book Allure of Toy Ships, in 2005.

A complete report on the auction will appear in a future issue.

⁁VV