Top results include a Mikado mechanical bank at $38,400, an Alphabet Man at $20,400, a Butting Ram at $14,400, and a J&E Stevens Milking Cow at $12,000; total exceeded $515,000

Vineland, NJ — September 2026 — A circa-1866 Kyser & Rex Mikado mechanical bank, one of only a few known examples, sold for $38,400 at Bertoia Auctions’ Mechanical Banks & Cast-Iron Toys Auction held September 25, online and at the gallery in Vineland, N.J. The sale totaled more than $515,000.

The auction was headlined by the outstanding mechanical bank collection of the late Dr. Robert E. Booth, Jr. (1945-2026), renowned for assembling one of America’s finest private collections of Americana and folk art. His home was featured in the pages of both Architectural Digest and The Magazine Antiques and reflected a lifetime of collecting at the highest level. Additional highlights included cast-iron toys from the collections of Tony LaSala and Ira Bernstein, along with the exceptional doorstop collection of Bob Brady and Max Berry’s collection of Charlie Reynolds banks.

Mechanical Banks

The rare blue-table Mikado mechanical bank featured a fascinating action: when a coin was deposited under the illusionist’s hat and the rear crank was turned, the man raised and lowered two magician’s cones on the table. The coin appeared to disappear and reappear under the left cone, then drop into the bank. The $38,400 selling price was within the pre-sale estimate range.

Kyser and Rex Mikado mechanical bank, circa 1866, blue-table version — Kyser & Rex Mikado mechanical bank, circa 1866, blue-table version, very rare and one of only a few known, 5 in. long, in excellent condition. Sold for $38,400.

A mechanical Alphabet Man (or Yankee Schoolmaster), part toy and part 19th-century schoolmaster’s educational aid, realized $20,400 against a high estimate of $12,000. Pressing its lever caused the finely dressed gentleman to point to his chest, which was embedded with a revolving alphabet wheel. The rare example earned what the auction house described as “extra credit” for far surpassing expectations.

Cast-iron Alphabet Man, or The Yankee Schoolmaster, mechanical bank — Cast-iron Alphabet Man (or, The Yankee Schoolmaster), manufacturer unknown. Masterful casting rendering an appealing folk-art appearance. Sold for $20,400 against a high estimate of $12,000.

The Butting Ram – Man Thumbs Up was the only mechanical bank model ever produced by Wagner & Zwiebel Mfg of Wisconsin. The example offered was part of the Booth collection, presented in all-original condition, and rose to $14,400 against an $8,000 high estimate.

Butting Ram - Man Thumbs Up mechanical bank by Wagner and Zwiebel Mfg — The Butting Ram – Man Thumbs Up, one of few known examples and the only mechanical bank model produced by Wagner & Zwiebel Mfg of Wisconsin, in all-original condition. Sold for $14,400.

A J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, the scarcer thin-base version from the Connecticut manufacturer’s desirable pedestal series, realized $12,000, besting the $8,000 high estimate. The bank’s action depicted a man being kicked backwards while attempting to milk a cow. All original and free of repairs, it was assessed in excellent to pristine condition.

J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, thin-base pedestal version — J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, scarcer thin-base version from the manufacturer’s desirable pedestal series. All original. Sold for $12,000.

A small Uncle Sam mechanical bank, one of only 99 produced in 1970 by the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Research & Engineering Department as a limited-edition special presentation piece, swept past its $400 high estimate to finish at $3,600. This example, 10½ inches tall and numbered 60 of 99, was in near mint condition.

Uncle Sam mechanical bank, Sears Roebuck 1970 limited edition, number 60 of 99 — Uncle Sam mechanical bank, one of 99 produced in 1970 by the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Research & Engineering Department as a limited-edition special presentation piece. Sold for $3,600.

A Charlie Reynolds Uncle Sam Lawyer mechanical bank, a pre-production model from 2003 and one of only two made, topped its $2,000 high estimate with a final price of $3,000. The bank measured 7½ inches long and was in near mint condition.

Charlie Reynolds Uncle Sam Lawyer mechanical bank, pre-production model 2003 — Charlie Reynolds Uncle Sam Lawyer mechanical bank, a pre-production model from 2003 and one of only two made, 7½ in. long, in near mint condition. Sold for $3,000.

Doorstops

Hubley Mfg (Lancaster, Pa.) doorstops were among the session’s standout performers. A Hubley Bathing Beauties doorstop, one of a series of six designed and signed “© FISH 250,” depicting two young ladies in bathing gear sharing a parasol, 11½ inches tall and in near mint condition, sold for $3,900 against a $1,500 high estimate. A Hubley Messenger Boy doorstop, one of a series of six designed and signed “© FISH 249,” depicting a boy holding a bouquet of flowers on a red and black base, 10 inches tall and in near mint condition, brought $3,600 against an $1,800 high estimate.

Hubley Messenger Boy doorstop, Art Deco design signed FISH 249 — Hubley Messenger Boy doorstop, one of a series of six designed and signed “© FISH 249,” depicting a boy standing on a red and black base holding a bouquet of flowers. Sold for $3,600.

Also from Hubley, a Santa still bank in near mint condition, just 6 inches tall with minimal handling wear, far exceeded its $1,200-$2,000 estimate by selling for $3,300.