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Bertoia $2.28M American and European Toys & Trains Auction

VINELAND, NJ – The second and final installation of the late Sam long gunboat Olympia, $16,800. The latter craft boasted blue-chip
Downey Jr.’s prized toy and train collection crowned three days of heated provenance that included the collections of Malcolm Forbes and Dick
competition at Bertoia’s Nov. 14-16 Annual Fall Auction, which totaled Claus in addition to the Downey collection.
$2.28 million. The revered multigenerational collection was established by The surge of interest from Marklin enthusiasts worldwide also upped
pioneer toy collector Samuel Downey Sr., and eventually was bequeathed to the ante on train lots entered in the sale. A boxed circa-1904 Marklin
Sam Jr., who expanded the holding considerably over several decades. Electric Tramway trolley set with track, keys and instructions had been
Auction days one and two were filled with rare toys and banks from acquired from the granddaughter of an American soldier who brought
other prestigious collections, while day three was allocated exclusively to the it back from Europe after World War I ended. “It was incredible to
Downey consignment, which dazzled collectors with its abundance of see how complete and original it was, with a nice patina and still dusty,
German-made Marklin rarities. The top lot of the sale, a Marklin battleship which is the way you want to find them,” said Bertoia Auctions president
La Plata, was reportedly one of Sam Downey’s most treasured nautical toys. and auctioneer Michael Bertoia. The set swept past its estimate range to
Made in Germany for the Argentine market, it was previously held in the sell for $60,000.
private collection of Bertoia Auctions co-founder and Argentina native Bill Christmas antiques put in a stellar performance, and it wasn’t just
Bertoia (1950-2003). A museum-grade example, the 28-inch multilevel because of the fast-approaching holiday season. The object of many
clockwork battleship sold for a roof-raising $204,000. bidders’ attention was a delightful 22-inch-long Santa on a glass-eyed
The fleet of fine polar bear growler toy. The amusing holiday duo ignited a bidding war in
Marklin clockwork the room and finished at an astonishing $43,200.
ships continued with Across the board, bullish prices were the norm and not the exception.
a 40” long 1st Series Comic character toys included many boxed Popeye toys in exceptional
battleship Maine, condition, and early examples of Black Americana, such as a bright and
$38,400; a near-mint glossy Marx Spic The Coon Drummer with its extremely scarce original
16” long battleship box, $9,600 (est. $2,000-$3,000). A circa 1890 Martin (French) Don
Indiana, $22,800; and Quixote on horseback flywheel toy rose to $9,600; and a Flemish Dog
a circa-1904, 16 1/2” Cart by the same maker closed at $7,200.
Good things came
in small packages, as
well. A Meier (German)
articulated penny toy
known as Boy Scout
and Dog was bid to
$6,600, more than
twice its high estimate;
while a diminutive early
American toy made by
George Brown—a tin
depiction of a steam-
powered paddlewheeler
—sailed to an above
estimate $8,400.
To consign to a
future Bertoia sale, visit
bertoiaauctions.com.

BATH
ANTIQUE
SALE
34 Annual
th
ANTIQUE SHOW SUNDAYS • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Fifty dealers of quality
Presented By
Malden Historical Society antiques and collectibles
Saturday, March 14, 2020 March 15

10 am - 3 pm
April 19
Anthony’s of Malden

105 Canal Street, Malden, MA Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Maine
Handicapped Accessible • Free Parking • Lunch (Exit US 1 at Congress Avenue, follow signs). Admission $5.00,
$4.00 with thias ad, one per person, please. Catered lunch.
Free admission to those 25 years old or younger. Show promotion
For Information 781-338-9365 by Paul Fuller.
Admission $6.00 ($5.00 w/ad) www.BathAntiquesShows.com
www.maldenhistoricalsociety.org J paulfullercaratunk@gmail.com • 207 832-7798

16 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles