Bertoia Auctions to Hold Annual Fall Auction, Nov. 13-14, with Premier Collectibles and Rarities

Top lots include a Marklin Series II Battleship, an Ernst Plank Gauge 2 passenger train set, a Buddy L passenger bus, cast-iron banks, pedal cars, patent models, and Britains toy soldiers

Vineland, NJ — November 2026 — Bertoia Auctions will hold its Annual Fall Auction on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14, live at the gallery at 2141 DeMarco Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360, beginning at 10:00 AM ET both days. The sale encompasses mechanical and still banks, pressed-steel automotive toys, pedal cars, cast-iron doorstops, Marklin boats and tin toys, European and American trains, Japanese toy autos, nearly 100 patent models, Britains toy soldiers, and much more drawn from several important collections.

Trains and Steam Engines

Among the European train highlights, a circa-1912 German Ernst Plank Gauge 2 passenger set is hand-painted and features a beautiful live-steam Black Prince 4-4-0 locomotive with glass windows in the cab, a six-wheel tender with cast wheels, two rare eight-wheel passenger cars, and Plank and Marklin straight track. It is estimated at $30,000-$40,000.

A circa-1910-1925 Marklin No. 4142 triple-boiler steam plant, extremely rare and exceptionally elaborate, is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Other European steam engine offerings include horizontal steam plants and vertical steam engines from Bing and Carette.

Marine Toys

A circa-1912-1915 clockwork-driven Marklin Series II Battleship Decidee, a striking and primarily original example of an early warship, is expected to garner $30,000-$50,000.

Cast-Iron Banks and Toys — Allan and Terry Joy Collection

The Allan and Terry Joy collection brings cast-iron toys in mint or near-mint, unplayed condition. Allan Joy assembled a world-class holding of cast-iron toys, nearly everything still in the box. Leading the collection is an unassembled and boxed Hubley cast-iron Indian Armored Cycle with rich red original paint, complete and in unused, mint condition. This Indian “bandit chaser” motorcycle is estimated at $7,000-$11,000.

More than 70 cast-iron still and mechanical banks are also featured. One of the finest known “Hold the Fort” mechanical banks, patented in 1877, activates a cannon that literally shoots a cannonball to make a deposit. It is estimated at $8,000-$14,000. An exceptionally rare still bank depicting California’s historic San Gabriel Mission, founded in 1771 and recently discovered at a church rummage sale, carries an estimate of $8,000-$14,000.

Cast-Iron Doorstops

Cast-iron doorstops from another consignor include a Hubley full-figure giraffe and a fresh-to-market Uncle Sam doorstop, described by Bertoia Auctions president Michael Bertoia as “the best of its type I’ve ever seen.” Bertoia appraised the piece on an episode of PBS’s Antiques Roadshow. The Uncle Sam doorstop is estimated at $8,000-$14,000.

Pedal Cars and Pressed Steel

Dozens of pedal cars from upstate New York are offered alongside a Chicago-based Buddy ‘L’ collection widely regarded as one of the finest Bertoia Auctions has ever handled. A Buddy ‘L’ passenger bus, arguably the finest known example and all original with beautiful color, is expected to settle within the $10,000-$18,000 range. A Steelcraft pressed-steel pedal airplane modeled after the celebrated Spirit of St. Louis, the 53-inch-long toy accompanied by a large period-style illustrated advertising display and matching framed print, is estimated at $4,000-$7,000.

Japanese Toy Autos — Lenny Hummel Collection

Part II of the Lenny Hummel Japanese auto collection, which debuted at Bertoia’s in August 2026, includes dozens of high-grade examples, most retaining their original boxes. Standout lots include a 1956 Marusan Ford with working motor, expected to bring $4,000-$6,000, as well as a 1953 Alps Packard sedan, a 1962 Asahi ATC Chrysler Imperial, an Alps Lincoln Futura, and a Rock Valley tin 1958 Chrysler New Yorker.

Britains Toy Soldiers — Joe Wallis Collection

The November sale introduces the collection of Joe Wallis (1949-2025), a respected author and one of the world’s top authorities on Britains toy soldier productions. His personal collection includes some of the finest boxed examples known. Leading the group is an extremely rare Britains Set #1749 Barrage, manufactured for one year only in 1939, complete with its balloon, winch, and #1641 underslung lorry, all in the original box. It is estimated at $2,000-$4,000.

Magic Lanterns and Optical Toys

From a French household, a circa-1870 hand-painted “Chinaman” magic lantern (also referred to as “Buddha”) stands 17½ inches tall with a brass-edged border featuring a gargoyle motif. Considered the most desirable of all magic lanterns, the example is in pristine condition with original apple-green and burgundy paint. It is estimated at $10,000-$16,000.

Patent Models

An impressive collection of nearly 100 salesman’s samples and authentic patent models represents the largest selection of its type that Bertoia Auctions has ever offered in a single sale. Models range from farming apparatus to machinery parts, offering a small-scale survey of American industrial innovation.

Preview is by appointment only the week before the auction. Remote bidding options include absentee, phone, or live online through Bertoia Live, LiveAuctioneers, or Invaluable. For catalogues and bidding information, visit Bertoia Auctions.