Bertoia – The Summer Automobilia Sale
August 22, 2025 10am
2141 Demarco Drive Vineland NJ 08360
BertoiaAuctions.com

VINELAND, N.J. — With scores of world-record auction prices to its credit, Bertoia Auctions has carved an admirable legacy for itself in the field of antique toys. Unquestionably, many of the greatest toy collections of all time have passed through the New Jersey company’s doors. In working with the consignors of so many valuable and historically significant toys, the Bertoia family has learned one indisputable fact: collectors rarely limit themselves.

“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of visiting the homes of many hundreds of antique toy collectors, and almost to the very last one, they’ve shared one thing in common — they love to collect ‘go-withs’ that cross over from other categories,” said Michael Bertoia, president of Bertoia Auctions. “For example, many collectors of antique toy cars also collect automotive- and petroleum-related art, advertising, decorative accessories and real cars, sometimes even the actual vehicles on which their toys were based. This is what inspired the theme of our August 22 auction, which we’re calling the Automobilia Sale. Everything to be sold has a connection to motoring and is something to which automotive toy collectors can also relate.

The one-day, 535-lot sale is centered around two major collections. The first was amassed by David Bausch, a retired Lehigh County, Penn., politician, lifelong toy collector and founder of the Allentown Antique Toy Show & Sale, now in its 47th year. In Bausch’s accessories collection there are all sorts of motoring-related bronze figurines, trophies and awards, as well as automotive smalls, like cigarette cases, match safes, pocket watches and gentlemen’s desktop novelties, such as inkwells. In addition, throughout his toy-collecting journey, Bausch acquired many posters, prints and other special artworks associated with transportation. Part one of his extensive archive is entered in the August 22 sale, with more to come in Bertoia’s fall sale.

The other featured collection in this auction comes from noted Italian theatrical set designer Steno Tonelli and incorporates a broad variety of colorful petroliana. His holdings include enameled signs and other forms of advertising, more than two dozen vintage motor oil cans, motorcycle helmets and jackets and race car ephemera.

But that’s not all. Bertoia’s will also roll out a Pennsylvania collector’s mini motor pool consisting of three dozen motorcycles, motorbikes and gas-powered mopeds; plus vintage cycle gear. The high-octane mix of nostalgic two-wheelers includes an original Indian motorcycle, vintage Hondas, Vespas and other productions from desirable brands.

Product containers with appealing graphics are always in demand. A top prize in Bertoia’s sale is a Valvoline Indian Oil one-gallon oil can that was manufactured by Valvoline Oil Co., New York, for the Indian Motorcycle Company of Springfield, Mass. A hard-to-find can in any sort of shape, the auction example presents in extraordinarily fine condition with strong colors and lithography, and the word “Winter” stamped on one side ($10/15,000).

An eye-catching original 1928 Goodyear Hillclimber poster in vivid colors features the image of a motorcyclist boldly soaring through the air. It measures 24½ by 36½ inches and is framed under glass. With provenance from the David Bausch collection, it comes to auction with a $4/8,000 estimate.

A double-sided, round porcelain dealership sign, advertising Dodge Plymouth Approved Service measures 41 inches in diameter and was manufactured by Walker & Company, a Detroit firm ($1,5/2,500).

A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race felt pennant is a rare surviving memento of an early auto race organized by William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. First conducted in 1904 on Long Island, the Vanderbilt Cup was the first international road race presented in the United State and was intended to promote American automotive technology by challenging European manufacturers with its lineup of domestic drivers and cars. The 1910 pennant, 25 inches long, displays a full-color image of a helmeted and goggled driver at the wheel of an open race car, with the Vanderbilt Cup trophy in the foreground. It comes with provenance from the David Bausch collection ($800-$1,600).

A 9½-inch figural desktop clock carrying a rider on a high-wheel bicycle is designed so that the clock also doubles as the bike’s smaller rear wheel. It’s a favorite novelty item from the David Bausch collection ($700-$1,400).

Those whose collecting interest may be focused solely on toy vehicles will not be left out of the fun, as the auction also offers a 130-lot assortment of Buddy “L,” Kingsbury and other pressed-steel vehicles and pedal cars. A 25½-inch-long Buddy “L” Tank Line Sprinkler Truck with all-original paint includes its original sprinkler bar ($1/2,000). Also, a 1949 Al-Toy CJ-2A “Jeep” Fire Truck is expected to sell for $1/2,000.

The sale will be conducted live in Bertoia’s gallery at 2141 DeMarco Drive, starting at 10 am. Items may be previewed the week before the auction by appointment only. Other bidding options include absentee, by phone, or live online through Bertoia Live, LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable.

For further information, 856-692-1881 or www.bertoiaauctions.com

MOTORCYCLES. ADVERTISING, GASOLINE
Bidding in the auction is easy and fun!
All shipping is done in-house to assure everything is handled with care. Auction attendance by reservation. Please contact our office to RSVP.
1. Short auction registration for first time bidders; online or by phone.
2. Submit absentee bids by mail, phone, or online, telephone proxy bid live during the auction, or bid live on the computer and watch the sale.
3. Download our Bertoia LIVE! app to your phone for fast and fun bidding.
We welcome you to attend one of our auctions in person. But we realize it can be hard to get away sometimes. That is why all Bertoia Auctions are simulcasted with a live webcam so you can hear and see the auctioneer and feel the action.
Auction details at BertoiaAuctions.com
Hosting the finest specialized auctions since 1986. Accepting quality consignments
2141 Demarco Drive Vineland NJ 08360 Toys@BertoiaAuctions.com 856-692-1881