'Great prices for great toys' at Bertoia's $1.8M November auction Bertoia Auctions' Nov. 7-9 sale, which grossed $1.8 million, revealed strength in many antique toy categories. The rare Britains cyclist with Punch-type rider sold for a remarkable $21,850.
at $9,200. In the still (i.e., non-mechanical) category, a colorful three-dimensional depiction of the Boston State House - 5 1/8 inches high and made in the late 1800s by Smith & Egge - hit the jackpot at $12,650 against an estimate of $7,000-$9,000.
Some of the sale's consignors had wondered if the recent economic downturn would hold back the bidders. Clearly, that was not the case. “One of the consignors of cast iron told us he couldn't believe the prices on his toys. He told me, 'I didn't lose money; I made money,'” Rich Bertoia said. “I told him that he had some really good things, and that bidders paid great prices for great toys. Seasoned collectors are not going to let an exceptional piece slip through - not in any economy.”
While Wall Street's recent unpredictable turns had some people sitting back and letting the correction take its turn, there were many others who were eager to jump in and compete, said Jeanne Bertoia. “The strength of the merchandise attracted bidders who were skittish about being in the stock market and wanted other ways to invest,” she said.
Bertoia's now turns its full attention to the Donald Kaufman Antique Automotive Toy Collection, which will be auctioned in a series of semiannual auctions to be spread over two to three years. The auction series will premiere March 19-21, 2009; with fall dates confirmed for Sept. 25-26, 2009. For additional information call 856-692-1881, e-mail toys@bertoiaauctions.com or log on to www.bertoiaauctions.com.
Caption for image shown at top:
Britains Bicyclist -
This very rare and unusual 17-inch-long Britains toy of painted metal features a whimsical hand-painted figure with a striking resemblance to the puppet show character “Punch.” The cloth-dressed fellow rides in a circle on a two-wheel bicycle attached by a wire support to a heavy base. A popular entry, it concluded its auction outing at Bertoia's with a winning bid of $21,850.
