Sotheby’s fall season in New York opens with a multi owner sale of Finest and Rarest Wines on September 10th, 2011

DENVER, Pa. – On Sept. 3, 2011, Morphy’s will be transformed into an arcade of color and sound as the central Pennsylvania company auctions the late Bob Levy’s revered personal collection of gambling and coin-op machines. The painstakingly amassed collection of 400 antique and vintage machines will be offered unpicked and in its entirety during the second session of Morphy’s Sept. 2-3 Coin Op, Antique Advertising and General Store sale.

Superior 5-Cent Horse Race slot machine, $20,000-$25,000. Morphy Auctions image.

Bob Levy was a renowned expert on coin-ops who bought and sold only the rarest and best examples. For many years he based his antiques business “The Unique One” in a Pennsauken, N.J., showroom, but his clientele was a global one. He was a fountainhead of coin-op knowledge and such a presence in the hobby that collectors far and wide referred to him as simply “the slot machine guy.” In October of 2009, Levy joined the Morphy Auctions team to manage sales of gambling and coin-op machines.

“After Bob passed away in February, we were informed that, in his estate planning, Bob had entrusted us to auction his collection of prized machines, which he called his ‘keepers,’” said Morphy’s CEO Dan Morphy. “Bob was our good friend. Our goal is to represent him in a way that honors what he did for the coin-op collecting hobby.”

Perhaps the most important piece in the collection is the Superior 5-Cent Horse Race slot machine described in the catalog as “the best of the best.” One of the most coveted machines in coin-op collecting, it has a confection-vending feature and gold medal designation, and carries an estimate of $20,000-$25,000.

Caille’s Centaur upright slot machine, $16,000-$20,000. Morphy Auctions image.

A Caille Centaur upright slot machine, 65 inches tall with black-oxidized, finished cast-iron trim, is expected to make $16,000-$20,000; while a Mills 5-Cent Dewey upright slot in all-original condition with earlier paneled oak cabinet is estimated at $14,000-$18,000.

The decorative details on the Mills 2-Bit Jackpot Dewey coin-op machine make this particular model very special. It has extra-fancy castings that include lion heads on its legs, owls on its handles, dogs on its façade and figural ladies on its head. The 65-inch-tall machine commands an estimate of $12,000-$16,000.

A Mills floor model Black Beauty $1 machine could realize $3,000-$5,000. “It is unusual to find a factory Mills $1 machine that has a ‘hand-load’ jackpot, as this one does,” said Morphy.

The Bally Reliance 5-Cent dice machine has a clever design that allows the user to play craps. The payout machine boasts various awards. Although a complex machine, the Levy example is in fully functional condition and is estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

Mills Dewey 2-Bit Jackpot coin-op machine, $12,000-$16,000. Morphy Auctions image.

Beautifully restored, a Buckley Bones 25-Cent dice slot machine is similar in concept to the Bally Reliance and is also very appealing to collectors. In working order, the Buckley Bones could fetch in the vicinity of $8,000-$10,000.

Perhaps one of the greatest and most ornate of all cast-iron poker machines, the Mills Little Duke machine is noteworthy for its intricate castings, even on the rear door. The example in the Levy collection retains its original marquee and reel strips – always a plus. Estimate: $8,000-$10,000.

Seldom found in excellent working order, a wooden Jennings golf ball vending machine operates with 25-cent coins. This particular model was installed primarily in country clubs, where golfers could try their luck at winning a pay-off in golf balls. It could make $3,000-$5,000 at auction. A counter-top golf ball vending machine from Jennings is in excellent condition and estimated at $3,500-$5,500. Yet another golf ball vendor is the Mills floor model “Extraordinary” slot machine with motor-driven dispenser. Fully functional and in excellent condition, it has a $6,000-$8,000 estimate.

Carrying on the sports theme, a Mills 5-Cent Baseball slot machine is complete with its original marquee, reel strips and mint rolls. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000.

J. & E. Stevens Girl Skipping Rope cast-iron mechanical bank, $16,000-$22,000. Morphy Auctions image.

An ever-popular Baker’s Pacers Racers horse race machine has a beveled glass panel that allows viewing of the internal mechanism. It could bring $4,000-$6,000. Made by Bally, a Ray’s Race Track gambling machine is also estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

The Saturday, Sept. 3 session also includes 300 antique advertising lots, figural cast-iron antiques and 75 mechanical banks. Leading the banks are a J. & E. Stevens Girl Skipping Rope ($16000-$22,000) and Professor Pug Frog ($10,000-$15,000). Both are in excellent-plus condition.

The Friday, Sept. 2 session features more than 150 antique occupational shaving mugs, including a rare example depicting a steam-powered railway shovel, estimated at $2,500-$3,500; as well as 180 tobacciana lots and 350 lots of soft drink advertising. Of the latter category, 170 pertain specifically to Coca-Cola. Highlights include a 1908 serving tray with the image of an ethereal semi-nude woman holding a bottle of Coke ($4,000-$7,000) and a 1923 cardboard trolley sign with images of a young woman holding a glass of Coke and dressed for each of the four seasons ($2,000-$4,000).

1908 Coca-Cola serving tray, $4,000-$7,000. Morphy Auctions image.

Additional advertising items include a Rough Riders cigar box featuring an image of Teddy Roosevelt leading a charge, presumably up San Juan Hill ($1,500-$3,000), a 1940s Eastside neon sign with eagle motif ($1,500-$2,000) and a beautifully illustrated 1923 Orange Crush calendar with full calendar pad.

All forms of bidding will be available for the Sept. 2-3 auction, including live at the gallery, by phone or absentee, and live via the Internet through Morphy Live (sign up at www.morphyauctions.com) or LiveAuctioneers.com. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

For additional information, call Morphy’s at 717-335-3435 or e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.morphyauctions.com.

Sotheby’s is pleased to announce the sale of the Property from the Collections of Lily & Edmond J. Safra – Volumes I – VI, on October 18th through the 21st 2011 in New York.

On Wednesday, August 3, Swann Galleries will conduct a two-session auction of Vintage Posters, which features a wonderful assortment of summer resort and beach posters from around the world, World War I and II propaganda posters, and the ever-popular Mather Work Incentive posters.

The sale opens with a selection of more than 40 American turn-of-the-century literary posters—which is the largest offering of these works at auction in years.

DENVER, Pa. – Mickey Mouse, a formidable legion of comic book Superheroes, and a classic 1950s Lavender Robot will all be on board when Morphy Auctions presents an Aug. 12-13 auction of antique and vintage toys, banks, marbles and comics. More than 1,100 lots will be offered in the mid-summer sale, which will be held in Morphy’s plush new gallery on the Adamstown antique strip, one hour northwest of Philadelphia.

Kyser & Rex cast-iron Mammy with Spoon mechanical bank, red-dress version, patented 1884, est. $4,000-$7,000. Morphy Auctions image.

The fun begins with a selection of 80 cast-iron mechanical and still banks. The mechanical group is led by a coveted Kyser & Rex Mammy with Spoon (red-dress version) estimated at $4,000-$7,000, and a J. & E. Stevens football-theme Calamity bank, $4,000-$6,000. The “stills,” on the other hand, will be following a whimsical leader – a French cast-iron Standing Mickey embossed with the words “J. Manil Vieier Au Court.” Estimate: $1,000-$2,000.

A fleet of boxed, early to mid-1950s Banthrico still-bank vehicles will join a varied lineup of other vehicles that includes a Hubley cast-iron fire pumper ($600-$900) and a delightful Kyser & Rex cast-iron Santa with double-reindeer sleigh toy ($1,500-$3,000).

The bus stops at Morphy’s on Aug. 12 for the sale of one of the most comprehensive toy bus collections known. The Wayne Mathias collection includes more than 100 toy depictions of Greyhound, Continental Trailways and other buses. A scarce plastic mold of a Greyhound Scenicruiser – one of several that were sent to Greyhound’s top 50 sales offices in the late 1950s – is expected to make $1,000-$3,000.

American and European trains – both prewar and postwar – will be next across the auction block, with highlights including a standard gauge 400 series loco and tender ($1,500-$2,500) exemplifying the largest steam engine ever made by Lionel. A one of a kind, museum-quality motor coach train made in 1932 by Russel Nord of Quincy, Mass., was modeled after one of the first known passenger trains, the DeWitt Clinton. Estimate: $1,000-$3,000.

Displaying unmistakable Continental style, an array of 25 European tin toys includes such favorites as a Lehmann Zig-Zag

Tin Marklin coastal cannon toy, German, 9½ inches, est. $2,000-$4,000. Morphy Auctions image.

($800-$1,200) and a menagerie of fabric-over-tin Schuco wind-up toys. Two German-made Carette cars – one with a roof rack for luggage; the other an open tourer – come with figures of drivers and passengers. Their estimates range from $1,200 at the low end to $2,500 at the top.

The session’s second featured collection – coming from toy soldier aficionado Bud Ritter – features more than 50 sets of vintage and contemporary soldier, animal and civilian figures. Many of the sets were made by Britains and retain their original boxes.

Japanese old-store-stock tin friction toys and wind-up vehicles will motor past the podium, with premium lots to include an 18-inch 1961 Yonezawa Cadillac Fleetwood and an 11-inch red Cadillac convertible by Alps. Both are accompanied by beautiful pictorial boxes and carry individual estimates of $800-$1,200.

Gang of Five Non-Stop or ‘Lavender’ Robot, tin, battery operated, with original box, 15 inches tall, est. $4,000-$8,000. Morphy Auctions image.

More than a dozen robots await their day at auction, with the premier entry being a 15-inch Masudaya Non-Stop (a k a “Lavender”) Robot with its original multicolored pictorial box. This striking member of the Japanese large-bodied, postwar robots known collectively as the “Gang of Five” could realize $4,000-$8,000.

Saturday morning starts off with 150+ lots of marbles, including sulphides, swirls and lutzes. A very rare sulphide with the suspended figure of a flying bat could reach $2,000-$3,000.

Rare sulphide marble with suspended image of a well-detailed bat, est. $2,000-$3,000. Morphy Auctions image.

A great assortment of Schoenhut painted-wood character figures, animals and circus accessories has been apportioned in 35 lots. Two old-timers from the comic pages, Boob McNutt and Happy Hooligan, are dressed in their original clothing and are in excellent condition. Each was produced in 1924 and is estimated at $300-$600. The Schoenhuts are followed by 10 lots of Palmer Cox Brownie memorabilia.

Saturday’s session also contains a fine selection of 1960s-1980s old-store-stock toys, mostly in sealed boxes or on header cards, Flintstones and Jetsons figures and vehicles, 15 lots of military toys from a single collection, including rarely seen Soldier of Fortune sets; and early Disney tin and celluloid toys, watches and other memorabilia. A Capodimonte porcelain tableau depicting Snow White and Seven Dwarfs at the dinner table was created by Italian designer Enzo Arzenton, and is estimated at $1,500-$2,500.

Lionel Disney Mickey Mouse Circus Train, tin wind-up with all accessories, tent and original box, est. $4,000-$8,000. Morphy Auctions image.

An exceptional and complete Lionel Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Circus Train has its original tin wind-up train, colorfully decorated circus tent, gas station and other accessory pieces, including the all-important composition figure of circus barker Mickey. Described in the catalog as “one of the nicer sets we have ever offered for sale,” the factory-boxed set comes to auction with a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.

The Saturday session concludes with more than 300 lots of 1940s comic books, all from the original owner who purchased the comics brand new. All are fresh and ungraded, but there are several good candidates for grading, including 1948 Phantom Lady #17 ($600-$800), 1947 All Star Comics #33 ($700-$1,000), and 1941 Startling Comics#49, whose cover art features an

1948 Flash Comics #92, est. $1,000-$1,500. Morphy Auctions image.

Alex Schomburg image of a robot wading through water with a frightened woman in his arms ($800-$1,200).

All items auction items are currently available to preview at Morphy’s gallery. All forms of bidding will be available for this auction, including in person, by phone, absentee, and live via the Internet through Morphy Live or LiveAuctioneers.com. For further information call 717-335-3435 or email serena@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and all other auction information online www.morphyauctions.com.

Fellows Pocket Watches & Accessories Auction, the 15th of August 2011.

An early publicity photo of champion wrestler Killer Kowalski, from a large selection of career ephemera to be auctioned. Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers image.

SAUGUS, Mass. – A towering figure of a man, 6ft. 7in. Walter “Killer” Kowalski (1926-2008) was a world champion wrestler who enjoyed wealth and celebrity during his 30-year career in the ring. But there was much more to the man than just his ability to eliminate opponents with body slams, knee drops and his trademark “Kowalski claw,” said Tonya A. Cameron, who will auction selections from the Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer’s estate on Thursday, Aug. 11.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was quite a surprise to discover that Mr. Kowalski was something of a modern day Renaissance man. He had many diverse interests, including photography and piloting his own plane to exotic locations,” Cameron said. “He was passionate about his charity work and his own successful businesses, was devoutly religious and was a committed vegetarian who frequently lectured on health and fitness.”

Kowalski and his wife Theresa, who survives him, enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle in their Boston-area home and “bought good things,” Cameron said. The couple’s china, glass, furniture, lighting and Asian antiques will be auctioned in Cameron’s 350-lot sale, together with their jewelry and a fascinating assemblage of wrestling memorabilia and apparel associated with Killer Kowalski’s career.

The china section of the sale includes complete Limoges services with game-bird motifs. One of the sets contains 12 plates and a large platter, each adorned with the image of a pheasant. Another Limoges set, consisting of six plates and a platter, has a fish theme.

19th century Chinese celadon porcelain umbrella stand from the Kowalski residence. Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers image.

An extensive Booth China “Blue Willow” dinner service for six includes numerous gilt-trimmed serving pieces such as tureens, a tray, gravy boat and teapot. A grouping of elegant Dresden dinner plates is accompanied by matching candlesticks.

An impressive collection of 19th-century Wedgwood includes 27 historical plates in cobalt blue and white. Also by Wedgwood, a large, deep-well meat platter with six matching plates displays a landscape-with-cows motif.

The Kowalskis’ glass collection includes Moser stemmed ware, Bristol glass, dresser bottles and numerous pieces of European and American brilliant-cut crystal. Additionally, there are console sets consisting of center bowls with matching candlesticks, perhaps by Cambridge.

An exceptional array of Bohemian glass includes a pair of heavy, 16-inch covered ruby glass mantel jars deeply etched with an elk and forest scene; and a pair of open ruby glass mantel vases with a motif of scrolling vines, landscaping and forest animals. Other prized Bohemian glass lots include large open baskets, heavy cobalt blue vases, and stemmed glassware.

The sale features several crystal chandeliers of various sizes – medium to large – including an Art Nouveau hanging ceiling fixture with four 1915 iridescent orange NuArt shades and lion-embellished drop-downs. Many excellent-quality lamps will be offered, as well as decorative brass and crystal wall sconces.

Killer Kowalski’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch. Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers image.

The Kowalskis also collected Asian art, some of which was purchased during trips to the Far East. Top pieces include an exquisite 19th-century Chinese celadon porcelain umbrella stand with bamboo decoration, 19th-century Asian vases, a spinach jade bowl, and cloisonné figural fish on pedestals. Handsome floor vases executed in shades of brown, blue, purple and orange display a chrysanthemum motif and have foo dog handles.

Leading the small selection of furniture are a custom-made bombe chest and an ornate 1920s French vitrine with swagged border. Classical scenes are painted on both of the vitrine’s side panels and on the bottom of the door.

Mr. Kowalski’s Rolex Oyster perpetual wristwatch will be auctioned, as will a sizable assortment of Theresa Kowalski’s Victorian jewelry, which has been grouped into one lot. The contents encompass a wide range of adornments: brooches, necklaces, lockets, miniature purses, and jade earrings with a matching ring. Other jewelry to be offered includes 14K gold pendants, charms, crosses and rings. A special highlight is the pair of 18K gold and enamel bee brooches with “jeweled” eyes.

Sports memorabilia collectors are expected to jump at the chance to own historical items and match-worn apparel direct from the estate of Killer Kowalski. Key pieces include Kowalski’s size 14 blue kid leather lace-up wrestling boots and three of his eye-catching robes. One of them is purple with silver metallic, while a second

One of three flashy robes to be auctioned, each worn by Killer Kowalski in the ring prior to important matches. Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers image.

robe is royal blue with gold metallic. The most important of the three robes dates to the 1950s, when Kowalski was wrestling under a different name: Wladek Kowalski. The robe is peacock blue velvet, with Kowalski’s name written in silver metallic script on the back.

The estate produced an immense amount of ephemera from Kowalski’s career. There are photos of him in his wrestling gear – some signed and some with other wrestlers – posters advertising wrestling matches, correspondence from the International Wrestling Federation, a letter confirming Kowalski’s election to the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame, and even the Articles of Incorporation for his entertainment and recreation business, Victory Inc.

Walter “Killer” Kowalski was an accomplished pilot who logged thousands of hours in his private plane, as documented in this flight log. Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers image.

Another lot with a close personal connection to Kowalski was his flight log. Tonya Cameron, herself a former Class C licensed pilot, said she was able to understand what the logbook’s entries meant and was “amazed to see how extensively he traveled…There was nowhere he wouldn’t go. He regarded his airplane the way most of us regard our cars.”

Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers’ sale featuring selections from the estate of Killer Kowalski will take place on Aug. 11, 2011 at the company’s gallery at 113 Bennett Highway, Saugus, MA 01906, commencing at 5 p.m. Eastern time. All forms of bidding will be available, including telephone, absentee and online through Proxibid. For additional information, call 781-233-0006 or e-mail tac602@gmail.com. Visit Tonya A. Cameron Auctioneers online at www.tacauctioneers.com.

Consignments being accepted for Rago’s 20th Century Decorative Arts & Furnishings Auction, up until August 12th 2011.