It was obvious to Julia’s even before the first lot hit the block that this was going to be no ordinary sale. In an absentee and Internet bid-driven trade, Julia’s auction facility was brimming June 26 with one of the largest crowds it had seen at an advertising, toy and doll auction in many years.
The first lot, a group of cast iron toy signs, sold after a brief but brisk bidding battle for $1,207, while the next lot, a rare Arcade flat top green cab that doubles as a bank ($3/4,000), sold for a record $14,350.
The sale totaled $1.3 million, reflecting 12 new auction records and proved the market is strong for quality goods that are conservatively estimated, according to Julia’s.
It also does not hurt when the collection is as rich in condition and rarity as that of the late Larry Seiber, who amassed an array of rare cast iron automotive toys.
A sought-after Arcade clockwork “Say it with Flowers” delivery cycle, an Indian motorcycle with rider affixed to a delivery van, all original and painted in brilliant aqua, became the top seller at $63,250. An Arcade utility truck, believed to be the only known example in existence, fetched a record $22,425.
Cast iron airplanes were led by a Hubley Lockheed Sirius in red and black embossed “Lindy NR-211” that soared to $9,775, while a blue and yellow Kilgore TAT landed at $8,625.
Other rarities included an Arcade bullet nose racer, setting a new record at $17,825; a scarce Checker Cab at $23,000; and a desirable rubber stamped Arcade Hathaway Bread & Cake truck that cooked at $8,050.
Construction vehicles included a scarce Hubley Truk Mixer at $12,650, doubling its low estimate, and an Arcade scoop with chain caterpillar tracks ($1,5/2,000) at a record $10,925. An Arcade Mack high bed side dump truck set a new record price paid at auction at $13,225.
A grouping of baby boomer toys from a Rhode Island collector included more than 40 boxed Japanese tin toys encompassing battery-op space toys and a number of rare pressed steel trucks, including near mint, never-played-with examples.
Highlights included a scarce Katz Grand Central Station windup toy with its original box that pulled in at $2,242 and a Japanese battery operated space station by S.H. for $2,875.
Adding to the diversity of the sale was a collection of salesman samples from the collection of the late John Woods of St Louis. Topping the list was a 48-inch miniature Old Town canoe that sailed past its $5/10,000 estimate to bring $18,400.
Woods’ grouping of farm-related salesman samples saw much active bidding. A walk-behind plow by Gale in original old red paint surpassed its $3/4,000 estimate to bring $9,487; a brass sample of a planting machine was $10,350 and a brass, wood, and nickel sickle bar mower attributed to Adriance, Platt & Co., made $8,625.
From a separate collection came a salesman sample road machine by Acme Road Machinery Co. of a wooden horse drawn wagon body that fetched $17,250.
Among an offering of French bisque and German character dolls were a 15-inch BSW Wendy for $15,525 and a rare all-original Simon & Halbig 1358 black doll that came fresh from a Maine home at $6,325. Bargains included a sought-after, 26-inch E.J.A. French bebe by Jumeau at $16,100 that sold just under its low estimate, as did a 21-inch 10 (over) E.J. bebe with blue paperweight eyes at $10,350.
A select grouping of Chinese Door of Hope dolls included a rare and elusive Manchu woman for $8,050.
Advertising signs and displays included a Victorian-era lithograph titled “View of Canada Southern Train Passing Niagara Falls” fetching a robust $11,500, a scarce and humorous tin sign for Standard Shirts selling just over estimate at $5,175, and a Winchester print by H.R. Poore, found recently in an attic in its original mailing tube, that went to $4,600.
Fresh from a Bangor, Maine, collector was a massive array of pre- and postwar Lionel trains and railroad memorabilia. Highlights included a railroad ticket cabinet full of 1950s Maine Railroad tickets that went out at more than seven times its $500/750 estimate for $3,565.
Coin-op arcade and slot machines and music boxes included a scarce 1937 World Series baseball game by Rockola for $33,350 and a Baker-Troll 13-inch Swiss interchangeable cylinder music box at $8,050.
Antique pencil sharpeners from the John Woods collection were led by a desirable Chelsea sharpener consisting of green cast iron trough for $3,162 and a rare President round cast iron trough base with finger grip top for $3,680.
For more information, www.jamesdjulia.com or 207-453-7125.
