‘Toys with Character’ take the spotlight at Bertoia’s on June 10-11 The Ronnie and Sandy Rosen collection of comic character toys is among the featured attractions in Bertoia's big 1,480-lot auction to be held June 10-11, 2011.
News-Antique.com - May 08,2011 - VINELAND, N.J. – It took weeks to catalog the enormous array of beautiful toys, banks and doorstops chosen for Bertoia Auctions’ June 10-11 Toys with Character sale, and gallery associate Rich Bertoia says it was worth every minute of the effort. “When collectors get this catalog, they’re going to want to take their time,” he said. “There’s literally a surprise on every page. We didn’t plan it that way; it just turned out like that.”
Both auction sessions will open with still banks, including what may be the largest and finest single-owner collection of “safe” banks ever to pass through Bertoia’s doors. Many are pictured in Bob and Shirley Peirce’s Iron Safe Banks book. “We were quite fortunate to get this collection. It’s extraordinary,” Rich said. “Guy and Kim Zani, who built the collection, only went for rarity. They didn’t collect anything common.”
Between the still banks and safes, there will be nearly 400 lots from which to choose, including many rare examples. Standouts among the “stills” include one of only two known Grover Cleveland banks, as well as J.M. Harper’s Lincoln, Indian Family and Peaceful Bill. Rare safes include what may be the only known Uncle Sam bank.
Friday will be devoted primarily to cast iron, including automotive toys; with the addition of a small selection of antique advertising, paintings and primitives from the Tom McCandless collection. “The McCandless collection includes two very unusual stagecoach horns and two important silver-finished firemen’s presentation horns fabulous embossing,” said Bertoia.
Pressed-steel toys to be offered include popular work vehicles, fire trucks and even airplanes by favored manufacturers like Buddy ‘L,’ Keystone and Structo. A Buddy ‘L’ Tugboat is among the top pieces in the grouping.
A sampling of Marx toys will close out the session and serve as a preview for Saturday. “We think the diversity of Friday evening’s selection will hold everyone’s interest. It’s going to be one of those ‘I don’t want to get out of my seat’ sales,” said Bertoia.
Saturday begins with round two of the still and safe banks. Stills that might ignite strong competition include a Betty Boop bank and a Santa bank that Bertoia describes as “one of the better ones I’ve seen. It came in on its own, as a single consignment.”
Bell toy collectors are sure to be raising their paddles for a Mr. Flip, a second Mr. Flip with comic character pal Little Nemo, a Buster Brown, and a Goose waddler.
Mechanical-bank choices span various price points. The assortment includes a superior Picture Gallery and more-familiar banks like Teddy and the Bear, Leap Frog, Peg Leg Beggar, Eagle and Eaglets, Mason, Santa, and Football. Banks with black Americana crossover interest include Darktown Battery and ’Spise a Mule.
After the banks have accepted their last coins from bidders, it will be time for the phenomenal selection of comic character toys, with themes spanning radio, TV and print. Approximately 300 of the toys are from the collection of Ronnie and Sandy Rosen. Originally Lionel
