Auction Details

12 61 64 65 67 127 129 190 193 195 247 286 305 320 321
322 364 367 379 380 381 382 396  427 434 436 437 449

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September 17, 2011’s Auction will bring a variety of fabulous holiday pieces to the auction block. The sale consists of over 50 Belsnickels, Candy Containers, copious lots of rare ornaments and much more! Many of the ornaments are glass figural ornaments ranging from small to large sized pieces. The auction has a few rare knockout pieces including a Dresden Ocean Freight Ship Ornament (lot 65), and an open air Dresden Horseless Auto Carriage Ornament with driver (lot 66). A rare Father Christmas Candy Container lot 286 standing 19” tall with a blue robe and holly on his hat and fur beard is one of the feature Belsnickel Santa pieces. Another feature Belsnickel is lot 248 which is a Clockwork Reindeer Pulling Santa in Sleigh Toy. The Santa is wearing a jolly expression, wonderful Santa inspired clothing and the toy spans 31” L.

In addition to the Christmas lots there are some Easter pieces including a large composition Rooster Candy Container that is 12” tall and in pristine condition (lot 305). Following Easter comes Halloween! And a Halloween selection that is filled with wonderful Jack-O-Lanterns in pumpkin head, witches, devil and veggie forms. One standout piece is lot 380 a Heavy Composition Melon Head Veggie Man and Witch Toy. This rarely seen piece has the dancing couple on a mechanical platform that is key wound and moves around in circles simulating dancing. The witches back houses the candy container and the cloth costumes appear to be original. Another stellar piece is lot 381 a Pick-A-Pumpkin Fortune Teller Game containing all the original pieces. This piece was featured on the cover of “Halloween in America” and is in excellent condition. If you are looking to purchase some artwork to accompany your Halloween collection, then look no further! Lot 437 is an extremely rare Halloween Scene Oil Painting on Board, unsigned but a very unique and desirable piece. Also included in this holiday themed auction are many rare Halloween candy containers, party favors, die-cuts, noise makers and accessories.

’Tis the season for holiday antiques, Sept. 17 at Morphy’s

DENVER, Pa. – Snow-covered belsnickels and whimsical veggie folk will come together with fun in mind at Morphy’s Sept. 17 Holiday auction. The 483-lot auction contains a very nice single-owner collection, select additional consignments of Halloween and Christmas antiques; and a small but choice array of vintage Easter goods.

The auction will open with a variety of Christmas ornaments, including rare examples made of glass, chalk and cotton. An unusual wire-wrapped glass beetle ornament pictured in John Lightner’s book titled “Christmas Rarities” could command $800-$1,500 from bidders.

Ever-popular Dresdens will be offered, as well. An ocean freighter with cotton “smoke” billowing from its masts is expected to make $2,000-$3000; while a horseless carriage with driver is estimated at $1,500-$2,500.

Chosen as one of the auction catalog cover images, a superb 22½-inch-tall belsnickel Santa candy container is swathed in a blue robe heavily adorned with sparkly mica. The bearded figure of monumental size holds a miniature Christmas tree with red ball ornaments. Estimate: $6,000-$8,000.

A beautiful 19-inch bearded Father Christmas candy container is “dressed” in a blue hooded robe with fur and holly trim, and holds a tiny tree. In excellent condition, it is entered in the sale with a $5,000-$8,000 estimate.

Another rare fully robed belsnickel stands 21 inches tall, has a composition face with pious expression, composition hands, rabbit-fur beard and distinctively decorated hat. It is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

“This sale contains a lot of very desirable figural and small chalk ornaments, as well as some candy containers I’ve never seen before,” said Dr. John Morphy, head of Acquisitions & Appraisals for Morphy Auctions. “An example would be the Halloween rooster witch in a black boot candy container with baby chicks peeping out of the side and toe. It’s extremely rare and might sell for as much as $4,000 at auction.”

Other unusual items Halloween items in the sale include a Victorian oil painting with a skeleton and jack o’ lantern theme, est. $3,000-$5,000; and a very rare Halloween fortune teller game that was chosen for the cover of the book “Halloween in America.” Estimate: $2,000-$4,000.

Another prized catch is the heavy composition witch and veggie man dancing toy. Both figures are on a mechanical platform. When wound up, they move around in circles as though dancing. An early toy that is very seldom seen, it is cataloged with a $4,000-$6,000 estimate.

All forms of bidding will be available for the Sept. 17 Holiday 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 further information on any lot in the auction, call Morphy’s at 717-335-3435 or e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and all other auction information online www.morphyauctions.com.

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Questions about this auction?

Please contact: Mike Landis
Auction Coordinator
Email: mike@morphyauctions.com
717-335-4601