Praised as one of the fresher and diverse offerings of quality antique advertising, toys, and dolls to come to market this year, James D. Julia's auction team didn't disappoint buyer or seller. There were strong prices to match the strong offering. Seeing tremendous online participation, which accounted for a sizeable share of the day's approximate $750,000 take, the firm by and large saw strong prices returning. This was all part of a three-day auction extravaganza that was complemented by $2 million+ of fine glass and lamps that was held the two previous days. The advertising, toys, and dolls portion was held Nov. 22.
Some of the highlights that helped comprise the advertising, toys, and dolls sale came from the collection of Diane and the late Steve Olin of Connecticut, who amassed their treasures over a 40-year period. These old time collectors were well-respected in the field, particularly in the realm of paper litho Victorian-era toys and parlor games.
Of particular note was a marvelous Early American firehouse and horse-drawn pumper, believed to be one of only two complete examples. Believed to be a collaboration between Merriam and Reed, the toy had lots of action and surprises not often seen in toys of that period and was one of the Olins' prized pieces. Estimated for $7,500-$12,500, it went out at $9,720.
Another extreme rarity from their collection was the Salem Witch toy by Charles Ford, manufactured by E. Trask. The toy depicted a 17th-century woman in drab period garb standing beside and pointing to a numbered spinning drum that corresponded to dark, ominous fortunes that were lithographed around the perimeter. Complete with its original wooden box, this outstanding 19th-century toy exceeded its $4,500-$5,500 estimate to sell for just over $7,593. The Bliss block tower, when assembled, became an elaborate marble drop toy topped by Christopher Columbus above a ziggurat of lithographed alphabet blocks. Complete with its original box, it sold within its $7,500-$12,500 estimate for $8,887.
Toys from other collections included a variety of Early American tin. Highlights included a fine George Brown clockwork locomotive with great stenciling and pinstripes as well as an unusual style tin boiler front. It went out at $2,370 above a $1,000-$1,500 estimate. From land to sea, a rare George Brown paddlewheel boat stenciled "Crescent" across the sides, in untouched all original condition, made as a push toy, sold for $4,740.
Toys of a different variety included a handful of trains such as a rare early Marklin American outline two-gauge clockwork engine and tender. Consigned from a New England general line collection, it had been buried in an attic for the past 50+ years. It exceeded its $4,000-$6,000 estimate to finish up at $9,480. An elaborate Marklin one-gauge suspension bridge had rarity over condition, and no shortage of bidder activity. It sold for $8,295.
Changing gears, the auction continued with a select grouping of top shelf dolls consisting of fine bisque French and German character examples, among others. One of the more fascinating lots in the auction was an early Izannah Walker cloth doll that was saved from a trash heap over 20 years ago. It sold above its $4,000-$6,000 estimate for $14,220.
Highlights in the French doll arena included a rare 16-inch Bru Jne four bebe. With stunning blue threaded paperweight eyes, protruding upper lip, and prominent tongue tip, the doll doubled the low end of a $10,000-$15,000 estimate, selling for $21,870. A lovely early 14-inch Portrait Jumeau 2/0 with pale bisque, almond-shaped blue paperweight eyes, as well as mauve shading, likewise exceeded her estimate to bring $8,295.
Other highlights in this section included a variety of accessories such as a grouping of Biedermeir furniture and accessories, including chairs, dressers, and a sofa among some other charming pieces. Conservatively estimated for $1,000-$2,000, the lot went out at a solid $5,163. A most unusual lot of original U.S. Patent models for papier mache shoulderhead dolls complete with their original patent tags sold well beyond a $400-$600 estimate for $5,332.
The auction continued with a large and varied grouping of quality antique advertising items. A collection of firearms and sportsman advertising calendars and posters included a Winchester poster illustrating a Chesapeake Bay retriever swimming with a canvasback duck in its mouth, which sold for $3,851. A highly desirable and vibrant poster for Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. featuring an attractive woman cradling her six-shooter exceeded expectations of $1,200-$1,800 to sell for $3,851.
A collection of approximately 200 tobacco and coffee tins included a rare Taxi crimp-cut vertical pocket tin with graphics of two well-to-do gentlemen lighting up before entering a waiting cab. Estimated for $2,500-$4,500, it sold for $3,792. A gold tinted vertical pocket tin for Cardinal cut plug tobacco exceeded its $1,000-$1,500 estimate to finish up at $1,896, and a wonderful tin for Luxura tobacco with draped curtains and a hookah pipe sold for $2,488 against a $1,500-$2,500 estimate.
Rounding out this sale was a selection of coin-operated arcade machines and music machines. Highlights included a marvelous flat front wooden Adams Pepsin tutti frutti gum vendor with porcelain advertising panels. In exceptional all-original condition, it sold for $7,110 within a $4,500-$8,500 estimate. A Pulver gum machine with porcelain panels and glass windows through which can be seen the famous "Yellow Kid" sold above its $1,000-$2,000 estimate for $2,488.
Julia's upcoming auctions include their winter antiques, fine art, and Chinese artifacts auction in January, while a firearms and military memorabilia auction will be held in March. Julia's next toy and doll auction, as well as their rare lamp and glass auction, will follow in June.
For more information visit, www.jamesdjulia.com.