The incomparable Donald Kaufman antique toy collection in the spotlight at Bertoia's, March 19-21 The debut offering of the world-renowned antique toy collection of K-B Toys' co-founder Donald Kaufman will take place on March 19-21 at Bertoia Auctions. The opening sessions focus on automotive toys
up will be a fine representation of taxis and farm toys, with Caterpillar-type tractors by Hubley and Arcade, some boxed. An envy-stirring selection of boxed Japanese tin friction cars includes a 1957 Alps yellow and orange Chrysler Newport, a striking Yonezawa Lincoln with orange body and pink roof, and a very rare boxed set by Bandai comprised of a Cadillac, Rolls-Royce and Nash Rambler.
As the procession continues, bidders will have their choice of rare biscuit tins, prewar Japanese cars and planes, an extensive motorcade of Marklin open roadsters, Bing trucks and racers from as early as 1904, and exceptional Continental autos such as a 17-inch-long French double-phaeton of unknown manufacture.
An impressive series of racers includes rare variations of the Kingsbury Bluebird and Golden Arrow (gold, violet and white), a few boxed 1950s Japanese Atom racers, and a boxed French Super Racer similar to the famous Agajanian.
The Arcade taxi rank will be brimming with a rainbow of color variations, including a 1932 Checker Cab that every specialist collector seeks. Other Arcade rarities in the collection include a painted-brass prototype REO coupe that came straight from the factory, a David Storage delivery van, and a 16-inch Kenton Speed Truck.
The cast-iron motorcycle section contains many prized entries, such as a near-mint Hubley Hillclimber in orange with black rubber tires, a Harley-Davidson 'cycle with sport (civilian) rider, a Hubley Indian with sidebar, sport rider and woman passenger (ex L. C. Hegarty collection; and a Hubley Schaber's Cycle Shop delivery van. The blue ribbon, however, goes to the extremely rare Hubley clockwork “Say it with Flowers” van, formerly a highlight of the Hegarty collection.
The wow factory continues with cast-iron airplanes, moving vans and municipal vehicles. The second session concludes with colorful Marx tin trucks and a fleet of European tin racers and luxury autos. Leading the latter lineup are a Marklin Torpedo open tourer and a Bing tonneau with seated tin figures in period attire.
The March 21 auction session will commence with incredible European autos, limos and work vehicles. Among the standouts are a superb Bing limousine with taxi meter and one of Don Kaufman's most treasured toys - a striking Spanish-made Hispania limousine measuring 20 inches long.
Test driving is allowed, if you're small enough to fit into the seat of any of the 40 pedal and oversize pressed-steel cars in the sale, including examples with provenance from the Harrah and Ray Holland Collections.
The sale inventory then takes a turn toward friction automotive, with toys from Dayton, D.P. Clark, Converse, Cor-Cor and Kingsbury. Some examples are boxed.
Those who favor advertising trucks will be spoiled for choice with the many Metalcraft private-label productions, including a few prime Art Deco-style vehicles, with boxes. A few of the top truck entries include those emblazoned with company logos for Decker's Iowana, Goodrich, Toy Town Grocery, and Kroger. Each retains its original box, and the Kroger truck features its own interior grocery store display.
The pressed-steel offering continues with a panorama
