In May We Play: Join Bertoia’s on May 8-9 for a celebration
of spring with 1,400 lots of terrific toys and trains
Choose from the best of many collections,
from coast to coast and across the Atlantic
VINELAND, N.J. – The list of high-profile
collectors who’ve sold their toys at Bertoia’s is a
long and impressive one that includes Stan Sax,
Donald Kaufman, Dick Claus, Donal Markey,
and most recently, Max Berry – all giants of
antique toy hobby. But sometimes the Bertoia
family likes to host an auction that draws from
a broad base of collectors with many different
interests and specialties. On May 8 and 9, just
such a sale will take place at Bertoia’s gallery,
with approximately 1,400 diverse lots that
encompass the categories of cast iron, tin,
paper on wood, pressed steel, mechanical
and still banks; comic character toys,
early trains and figural cast-iron doorstops.
“We wanted to launch into spring with a broadly mixed
sale where everyone could find something great for their
collection,” said Rich Bertoia, describing the goal
behind the event being called “May We Play.”
“Collectors really go for our multiple consignor sales
because they’re unpredictable. You don’t know what
will come in when you have so many different consignors
involved. It’s a chance to dip into many different
collections and see the great toys other collectors
have found over the years,” said Rich.
The cast-iron automotive section includes more
than 150 vehicles – autos, buses, farm and work
vehicles; as well as numerous toy gas stations,
mostly of tin. Both American and European stations
are represented, and many are examples that have
never been seen before at any Bertoia sales.
Highlighting the light pressed steel grouping is Part
I of the late Bill Moody’s Metalcraft advertising
trucks. “Bill was a very well-known and well-liked
collector,” said Bertoia. “He had one of the best
Metalcraft collections known.” Within the colorful
selection are vans, dump trucks, tow trucks and more.
Some exhibit attractive Art Deco styling.
The lineup is joined by an abundance of light pressed steel trucks and cars by other
manufacturers that collectors pursue, “from Kingsbury to early Daytons and
everything in between,” Bertoia said. Additionally, there is an outstanding
grouping of early trolleys, both in light pressed steel and tin.
After the lighter vehicles have found new homes,
it will be time for the big boys – the heavy pressed
steel toys – to strut their stuff. One of the highlights
is an extremely rare Buddy ‘L’ tugboat, one of less
than a handful known. Another prize in the category
is a 28-inch tan and red Gendron Stutz. This
striking push toy comes with provenance from
the incomparable Don Kaufman collection and
is known to have been one of his favorite
pressed-steel vehicles.
Pedal toys will follow, with several examples that are
already creating a stir, starting with the only known
electric-drive Packard pedal car. Red with black fenders, it has a rumble seat and removable canvas top. A
beautiful survivor, it was made by American National
and probably dates to the 1920s, Bertoia said.
Another gem is an extremely rare Hispano-Suiza
pedal car with a bonnet that lifts to expose a
simulated engine. “We were very lucky to
get this car, which came to us from a
European consignor. You just don’t
find pedal cars like this one here
in the States,” Bertoia said.
The same collector consigned a collection of more than a dozen Hispano-Suiza
toy cars, manufactured either in Spain or at the company’s auxiliary factory in France.
Each is a hand-painted, faithful representation of a real Hispano-Suiza car of the 1920s.
One of the cars is 26 inches long and is so rare, it was not even known to Rich Bertoia,
who has spent decades in the toy hobby and auction business. “This is a car for
connoisseurs because it’s only likely to turn up once in a lifetime,” he remarked.
“Because of its size, you have to wonder if maybe it was a dealer display.”
Another special piece in the HispanoSuiza collection definitely was a dealer
display and was cut in half to expose
the entire interior, from roofline to
fenders. “This is a very exciting model,
and again, it’s something for the
advanced collector,” said Bertoia.
The European nautical category
includes both a Marklin ocean liner and
battleship, a very nicely detailed Carette
battleship, and a fine collection of handpainted lead ships. Rounding out the
fleet are early tin penny toy ships, some
dating to the latter 19th century and of
a type seldom seen in the marketplace.
American paper-over-wood toys range from ships to arks with animal
pairs – one measuring 24 inches long – and unusual Soldier Scissors
diecuts on foldable wood. Some very appealing Schoenhuts will march
across the auction block, including a single lot of very rare band members
and many Teddy Roosevelt Safari figures, including Teddy, natives,
a cameraman and a few accessories. Some of the Schoenhut animals
are glass-eyed, while others have painted eyes. Highlights in the
menagerie include a hyena, wolf, rabbit and gazelle.
For those who like detail in diminutive form, Bertoia’s will offer miniature
doll furniture, a few dollhouses, and several room displays and shops.
A butcher shop and spice shop room display – both by Gottschalk –
came from the same family collection, Bertoia noted.
Nearly 250 lots of trains will cross the New Jersey gallery’s railroad tracks,
with most coming from the late Michael Cann’s collection. A college professor
with a keen analytical eye, Michael Cann was especially fond of later Marklin trains.
Part I of his railroad assemblage includes both American and European outline trains,
as well as some that were made for the English market. Many of the trains were
manufactured in the 1930s, and everything in the collection is in excellent or
pristine condition. A number of coaches will be offered in lots, and some have
their original boxes. Cann also collected cast-iron steam engines – especially
those by Marklin – and had many rare examples, such as the Crocodile.
In addition to the Cann collection, train aficionados can look forward to bidding on
25 lots of very rare, early Ives trains and train-car lots. It will also be final-boarding time
for trains from the collection of the late Frank Loveland. “We will be selling trains that
Frank held personally to the end, including a Carlisle & Finch derrick, and boxed
summer trolley,” said Bertoia. A Voltamp Edna Interurban Trolley will travel with
a few of Loveland’s Voltamp entries, as well.
Other featured items in the sale include an array of clockwork
toys by Lehmann & Marx; and stellar pieces from Jeanne
Bertoia’s private collection of figural cast-iron doorstops.
“Collectors should expect some surprises in this sale, because
there definitely will be some,” said Bertoia. “This will be a very
enjoyable way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.
We look forward to welcoming all of our friends at the gallery.”
Bertoia’s In May We Play Auction will
be held May 8-9 at Bertoia Auctions’
gallery, 2141 DeMarco Dr., Vineland,
NJ 08360. All forms of bidding will be
available, including absentee, phone
or live via the Internet through Live
Auctioneers. Please consult Bertoia’s
website for preview dates/times
and auction start times.
To contact Bertoia Auctions, call
856-692-1881 or email [email protected]. Visit the company’s
website at www.bertoiaauctions.com.