SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Pennsylvania is known as a hotbed for antique and vintage toys, especially the triangle between Philadelphia, Lancaster and Philadelphia. That just happens to be a turf well known to the specialists at Stephenson’s Auctioneers in Southampton. Their toy auctions – with consignments from longtime private collectors and area estates – can be counted on for variety, quality and, almost always, a surprise or two.

A trio of antique wax dolls. Stephenson’s Auction image.

On July 15, Stephenson’s will present its 2011 Mid-Summer Dolls, Toys & Trains Auction, featuring approximately 300 lots of carefully chosen antique and vintage playthings. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.

The auction will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern time with a selection of 50 American and European dolls. Some of the dolls are of early manufacture, including wax examples and German bisque-head dolls by C.M. Bergmann and Simon & Halbig. Two sought-after Martha Chase painted cloth dolls – one measuring 30 inches tall; the other, 24 inches – will be offered, as well. The antique doll grouping is nicely complemented by an array of composition and hard plastic dolls, 1950s Toni dolls and several Barbies. Tea will be served from a period spongeware doll-size tea set.

Stephenson’s owner, Cindy Stephenson, said she believe collectors will be drawn to the two beautifully crafted room boxes entered in the sale. One of them replicates a general store of the early 20th century, 2½ feet high by 2 feet wide, and was probably constructed in the 1970s or ’80s. The store illuminates and is stocked with miniature store goods of all types and is occupied by two men playing a game of checkers, and a pet dog. The second room box, also illuminated, measures 15 inches high by 2 feet wide and depicts an early 20th-century kitchen. Generously accessorized, its furnishings include a table and chairs, hutch with china, a cast-iron stove, clothes tree and many miniature culinary accoutrements.

Colorful Chein tinplate mechanical toys. Stephenson’s Auction image.

The colorful parade of toys will be led by tin wind-ups and mechanical toys in excellent condition. Ever-popular Chein toys include several with a carnival theme, including a Ferris wheel, two roller coasters, and an Aero Swing; plus an Aquaplane and Marching Drummer. Other tin toys of note include a number of desirable Louis Marx productions, topped by a Moon Mullins and Kayo Hand Car (in pristine condition with track and original box), Cabin Cruisers, a Cowboy Whoopee Car, and a classic Police Motorcycle.

Always “strong to the finish,” a circa-1940 Popeye the Pilot clockwork airplane

Circa-1940 Popeye the Pilot tinplate windup toy. Stephenson’s Auction image.

features bright primary colors and has the primitive look that is so appealing to collectors of Popeye and character toys in general. Another cartoon favorite, Fred Flintstone, is represented by a wind-up Fred on Dino and a friction-powered Flintstone Flivver.

Robot collectors will have their chance to score one of the sale’s quiet gems – a Japanese Mechanical Walking “Robot with Spark” by S.Y. The figure’s silver body is trimmed in orange and blue, a quintessential motif in boomer-era space toys.

Other toy highlights include a Weeden steam engine, a large selection of battery-operated toys in their original boxes, and two tinplate penny toys: a Prussian soldier on a buckboard drawn by two horses, and a Toonerville Trolley.

An extensive selection of train sets, loco/tenders and train cars – many with their original boxes – will be offered. Stephenson’s Auction image.

Train aficionados will be spoiled for choice on auction day. Numerous train sets, loco/tenders and train cars will be offered, some accompanied by their original boxes. Among the brands on offer are Lionel, American Flyer, Ahern, Bachmann, Penn Line, Tyco, Varney and several others.

Next up will be a selection of toy soldiers and German miniature alloy-metal platform animals and people; followed by a lineup of 20 to 30 antique and vintage still banks. Most are of cast iron, with highlights being a Flatiron Building, a four-tower domed building, a pirate on treasure chest, and an Arabian safe bank with key, one of several banks shaped as safes.

Instantly identifiable to collectors, a Bear and Beehive copper-finish cast-iron still bank is ornately decorated in Black Forest style. It depicts a standing bear reaching for a beehive inside a shingled cottage, with the word “BANK” arched over the door.

Among the 20-30 still banks to be auctioned are a Bear with Beehive and Flatiron Building. Stephenson’s Auction image.

The auction will conclude with three spring-neck duck candy containers of German manufacture. Constructed of papier mache with glitter and fur trim, the early Easter novelties are in excellent condition.

“We look forward to greeting toy collectors to our sale,” said Cindy Stephenson. “It will be an enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Friday afternoon, and we’re confident that collectors will be pleased with this selection.”

The preview will take place from 12 noon till 2 p.m. on Friday, July 15, immediately prior to the start of the auction. For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Cindy Stephenson at 215-322-6182 or e-mail info@stephensonsauction.com.

All forms of bidding will be available, including live in the gallery, absentee, by phone or live via the Internet through www.LiveAuctioneers.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Visit Stephenson’s online at www.stephensonsauction.com.

We tasted just under 300 wines and have selected 80 that we believe represent the best of this vintage and are of outstanding quality (in other words, the wines we liked the most), from the First Growths to more modestly priced wines.

PITTSBURGH – “Terrific!” That’s how Ray Haradin, owner of Old Toy Soldier Auctions, described the interest in his late-spring auction featuring the Don Darnieder collection of military figures. The 1,095-lot sale, which was also bolstered by Part II of the Fred Wehr collection and other select properties, was 100% sold and totaled $254,000.

Britains picture pack counter display box containing 33 figures, hinged front cover, $6,000. Old Toy Soldier Auctions image.

“The Internet was very active, with around 170 bidders. In addition, there were 32 people participating by phone and 120 absentee bidders,” Haradin said. “As it turned out, there were many successful individual bidders – not just a handful of people who bought up big chunks of the sale. There were numerous boxes to be packed and shipped out afterwards, to addresses all over the world.”

The May 21-22 sale’s top lot at $6,000 (all prices include 20% buyer’s premium) was a countertop display for Britain’s high-quality “picture packs.” Haradin explained that display units of the type offered in his auction were designed to showcase an entire range, and are very rare. A European buyer paid three times the high estimate to claim the near-mint item.

Timpo boxed Hopalong Cassidy set, one of only two or three known, $5,040. Old Toy Soldier Auctions image.

Another hot ticket was the Timpo Hopalong Cassidy set estimated at $1,200-$1,500. The set had condition and completeness going for it and was one of only two or three such sets known to exist. It lassoed a winning bid of $5,040, lodged by a U.S. buyer.

Timpo also produced the Big Game Tiger Hunt set offered with a presale estimate of $1,500-$1,800. In “beautiful condition,” the set was claimed by a different American buyer, for $2,650.

Character figures made of lead were in great demand. A boxed Tom Mix set featuring a painted figure of the cowboy film star in white furry chaps with a gun and lariat, paired with his horse Tony, garnered $900. “This set had the added cross-over bonus of a Western theme, so that helped it to make more than twice its high estimate,” Haradin said.

William Hocker 11-piece boxed set, Bengal Horse Artillery in Action, $270. Old Toy Soldier Auctions image.

A trend that Haradin has found particularly pleasing is the unrelenting demand for contemporary productions. “Day two of the sale was devoted exclusively to newer pieces,” Haradin said. “The total from that session accounted for $95,000 of the overall gross.” Enthusiasts paid strong prices for sets made by William Hocker, like the 11-piece wheeled Bengal Horse Artillery in Action set that achieved $270. Other sets that sold for around the $200 mark included examples by Edmunds, Marlborough (specialists in Indian army figures), and King and Country, as well as those depicting Civil War regiments.

“In the world of soldiers, $200 to $300 can buy you a lot,” Haradin said. “I’d say the average lot on day two sold for about $180. These are nice, entry-level collectibles that appeal to every age.”

9-piece set by Trophy, includes steam tractor, wagon, Howitzer and six men, $840. Old Toy Soldier Auctions image.

Other contemporary sets hit a higher bracket that ordinarily might have been reserved for a rare, older set. A 9-piece grouping by Trophy – comprised of a steam tractor, wagon and Howitzer with human figures – sold without its original box for $840 (estimate: $300-$400).

“There’s a lot of speculation as to why toys and collectibles have held up so well when some types of fine antiques haven’t. I don’t have the answer to that, but the numbers speak for themselves. Everything in the auction was sold, and for really good money,” Haradin said.

Britains set #2112, U.S. Marine band in summer dress, 25 pieces, $1,320. Old Toy Soldier Auctions image.

“One thing that can’t be denied is that there are tons of new collectors coming into the hobby – enough so that collections of soldiers and figures being sold by older collectors are having no trouble being absorbed into the marketplace,” Haradin continued. “I would say that at least 50% of what we offered in our May 21-22 auction went to guys who’ve been collecting for less than 10 years.”

Haradin’s Old Toy Soldier Auctions will conduct its next sale on Nov. 19-20, 2011. A large and comprehensive assortment awaits bidders, with the main consignments being the Robert Going collection of primarily pre- and postwar Britains figures, many of them boxed; the third and final installment of the Fred Wehr collection of prewar Britains, and Part II of the Don Darnieder collection of postwar Britains. Additionally, the sale will feature an extensive array of Hocker and King and Country figures.

To contact Ray Haradin, call 412-343-8733 (tollfree: 800-349-8009) or e-mail raytoys@aol.com. Visit OTSA online at www.oldtoysoldierauctions.com.

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