“If you have the right things, you’ll have a good show here,” was the comment overheard in the lunchroom at Dan Morphy’s February 7 Antique Toy, Doll & Advertising Show, better known as the York Toy Show.
As it turned out, the veteran dealer’s words of wisdom were correct. Morphy’s winter edition of the semiannual show, held at the Memorial Hall of the York Fairgrounds, was up by 13 dealers over last fall, with a gate that surpassed expectations. Of those dealers polled, several said it was the offbeat, non-toy or crossover items that helped put their receipts in the black.
“York is an excellent show, and the crowd was better than usual this time,” said Ron Sieling of Central City, Penn. “I always bring my best stuff, but I don’t stop at toys, dolls and trains. I always bring a variety. I’d say 70 percent of my sales came from other categories.”
Sieling said he sold a vintage BB gun for $1,200, but also sold two pieces of pottery for $4,000 and three pieces of tramp art.
Jim Maley flew in from Fullerton, Calif., to set up at the York event. “When I got back home, everyone was asking, ‘How was it?’ I told them the collectibles market seems to be recession-proof, because there was strong interest in top-quality pieces. The crowd seemed to be filled with knowledgeable people who were there to buy. I noticed a lot of interest in high-end holiday pieces,” said Maley.
Nancy McGlamery and Ed Pelton, of Lancaster, Penn., brought a tempting array of holiday material to the show, including a turn of the Twentieth Century cloth-dressed rabbit candy container. Beautifully sculpted and featuring glass eyes, the vintage Easter toy was priced $2,200. McGlamery and Pelton not only sold well at the show, with one of the memorable sales being a Santa driving a loofah and wicker car, they also made “an exciting purchase †a Halloween veggie man.”
Donna Galletti was celebrating a special event at the show †her 60th birthday. She and her partner Joe Telinbacco brought along a good luck charm to the show †a 5-month-old Cairn terrier named Ruby. She attracted many shoppers to their booth, where treasures available for purchase included a fantastic Mills Wizard Fortune Teller machine that could be tested by inserting a penny. The 1915 coin-op was in outstanding condition, with great original paint, and carried a $2,700 price tag.
Jerry and Paulann Turner had come from Hot Springs, Ark., to set up at the show. “Our sales have been nice,” said Paulann. “Advertising sells best for us, but others have told us that toys are doing really well.” A colorful cross-over item in the Turners’ showcase was a 3-D stand-up store display for Hancock County Creamery Ice Cream, which featured children on a fire engine.
Bertoia Auctions’ booth was buzzing with interest over the upcoming March 19′1 premiere sale of the Donald Kaufman toy collection. A handsome hardbound catalog representing Volume I of an ongoing set had just arrived as the Bertoia team was leaving its Vineland, N.J., headquarters for York. Sales of the catalog were brisk, and the chatter overheard at the Bertoia booth indicated the upcoming auction is being anticipated by collectors as an auction for the history books.
The unquestionable talent of folk artist and robot fan Kent Greenbaum was on display in the form of a new range of wildly imaginative robots. Kent’s robot designs †each a unique handmade production †have sold in prestigious galleries, and last year some of them appeared in the Transformers movie. “I was asked to send more for the follow-up, Transformers II . I don’t know if they were used or not,” he said. Kent’s new technique involves incorporating pieces and parts scavenged from old tin toys into the design of his fantasy robot figures. “I wouldn’t take apart a robot that is still sellable on its own,” Kent explained.
Most dealers at the show reported being pleasantly surprised at the turnout and the sales that ensued. “It was about the normal attendance Dan has been getting at this show,” said advertising dealer Mike Oskiera, of Bally, Penn. “I had a fair amount of interest business wise, but I spoke to some dealers who had a very good show, which is not what any of us expected with the economy as rough as it has been.”
Dan Morphy’s Antique Toy, Doll & Advertising Show is owned by Geppi’s Entertainment Auctions and Publications. The next edition of the show will be held on August 29 at the Memorial Hall, York Fairgrounds. For further information, 717-335-3435 or www.aagal.com .
