Kate Robinson estate to be sold March 14-15 in Illinois The estate of Kathleen "Kate" Robinson, whose mother-in-law, Helen, founded the renowned Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Ill., in 1967, will be sold March 14-15 by Matthews Auctions, LLC.
News-Antique.com - Feb 06,2009 - (St. Charles, Ill.) - The estate of Kathleen “Kate” Robinson – whose mother-in-law, Helen, founded the renowned Kane County Flea Market in 1967 – will be sold March 14-15 in the main building of the Kane County Fairgrounds (site of the flea market). The auction will be held by Matthews Auctions Nokomkis, Ill., in conjunction with Ward Auctions & Appraisals of Big Rock, Ill.
“Kate Robinson was an enthusiastic collector who kept alive the same spirit and passion for antiques and collectibles her mother-in-law had,” said Dan Matthews of Matthews Auctions. “She was especially fond of Pink Pigs, Depression glass, jack-in-the-pulpit vases, Hummel figurines, Royal Bayreuth, flower frogs, pottery and Longaberger baskets.” These and more will be sold on March 14.
The next day, March 15, will be dedicated mainly to farm toys and toy trucks, from the lifetime collection of Kate's husband, Fred. About 350 lots will be offered, many of them mint in the box. They include a Buddy L anti-aircraft truck (circa 1960) and Buddy L Express Lines truck and trailer (circa 1930s), both in the box; a Tonka ramp hoist truck (circa 1963); and a Tonka 1955 Starkist Tuna truck.
Other truck makers will include Nylint and Structo. The farm toys will comprise about 200 lots. Manufacturers include Ertl, Scale Models, Product Miniature, Tru-Scale and others. The day will also feature around 15-20 lots of local memorabilia (Northwestern University, the town of St. Charles, etc.), as well as advertising items for tractors and farm-related equipment (signs, paper, ephemera and more).
Because of their scarcity, the trucks and farm toys just may post more top earners, in terms of prices realized, than the lots in Kate's collections, but her items will probably appeal to a broader range of bidders because she collected so many things in such a wide array of categories. Mrs. Robinson, who passed away in 2007, owned hundreds of antiques and collectibles. All will cross the block, to include:
More than 30 Pink Pigs, the German-made collectibles made in the early 1900s and often sold at train stations and other tourist destinations as souvenirs, often with the name of the town or state. The pieces in Mrs. Robinson's collection include banks, autos and outhouses -- all different actions.
A huge collection of over 50 Hummel pieces, mostly Mark 2 and Mark 3.
Over 10 Stangl birds, including Cockatoos #340D; King Fisher #3406D; Love Birds #3400; etc.
An R.S. Prussia tea set and berry bowl set.
A Pickard two-handle vase, with ears of corn.
Several pieces of Royal Bayreuth.
Royal Doulton Toby mugs, vases and a Flambe Fox.
Over 20 jack-in-the-pulpit vases.
Glassware (Ruby Red, Vaseline, Blue and French Opalescent).
Several miniature oil lamps.
Vases (two Weller Lowelsa, Roseville Rozane Ware, etc.)
Art pottery (Van Briggle, Royal Haeger Leopard set, etc.)
Flower frogs (Metlox nude, several German nude scarf dancers, etc.)
Several salt-glazed crocks with cobalt decoration.
A Monmouth stoneware pig.
An Ansonia mantle clock with warriors.
A large carnival glass punch bowl with cups.
