This two-day auction includes over 1,100 lots of vintage toys and childhood ephemera and features an important collection of Japanese robot and space toys.
Denver, Pennsylvania, March 1, 2017 – Morphy Auctions, the finest auction destination for fresh to the market collections, is pleased to announce this breathtaking sales event sale to be held on Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th. The bidding starts promptly at 9:00 AM each day. All lots from this event are on display in Morphy’s Denver auction gallery and available for preview now.
Let’s start by dropping a dime on this sale’s world-class selections of still and mechanical banks, with over 250 fine examples on offer. Bidders will undoubtedly jump for joy over lot #195, a J. & E. Stevens cast iron girl skipping rope mechanical bank. When wound and released, the rope rotates and the girl moves up and down while kicking her legs and turning her head from side to side. This very nice, clean example was previously in the Edwin Mosler collection and is estimated at $25,000-35,000. Lot #122, a panorama bank also by J. & E. Stevens, is a sight for sore eyes and is estimated at $4,000-6,000. It was designed by James Butler and patented on March 7, 1876; when a coin is inserted on the slot on the roof, the picture featured on display advances to the next one. And lot #268, a rare Kyser & Rex cast iron Mammy and Child mechanical bank, is in good hands with its $3,000-7,000 estimate.
The outstanding examples of Japanese battery operated space and robot toys on offer should send collectors into orbit. Two tin litho Gang of Five robots by Masudaya deserve a high five. The first, lot #646, appears to be all original and makes noise and spins around when its target is pushed. The second, lot #766, is also known as “The Lavender Robot.” They are estimated at $3,000-5,000 and $1,000-3,000 respectively. Lot #688, a Nomura mobile space TV unit with trailer travels with bump and go action; the TV on top features an illuminated, rotating space scene and its trailer has a rotating antenna. It broadcasts a $2,000-3,000 estimate. Lot #689, a Martian radar patrol by Daiya in beautiful, all original condition with its original crisp box, is no longshot to meet its $1,200-1,800 estimate. And lot #768, a silver version of Mr. Atomic Robot, marketed by Cragstan, is a sterling favorite in this category. One of the most iconic of all 1950’s robots ever produced, it is estimated at $2,000-4,000.
This sale also shoots for the stars with a number of very fine Japanese tin litho wind up and friction space and robot toys. Lot #770, an Astro-Scout robot made by Yonezawa is marked “3” on its chest and includes its original box. It is estimated at $4,000-8,000. And two unusual examples from ASC are out of this world. The first is lot #604, an orange Tremendous Mike robot which advances forward and changes direction when in operation. The second is lot #609, a medium Chime Trooper astronaut which features a sound-emitting chest plate when the toy is in action. They are each estimated at $3,000-5,000.
Rolling right along, it’s time to check out this sale’s selections of fine wheeled and transportation related toys. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better version of a pressed steel Keystone police patrol truck than lot #1020, estimated at $3,000-4,000. This fantastic American piece features all original paint and decals; its overall condition is excellent plus. According to our experts, it is… “Possibly one of the best examples found for this age of toy.” Lot #1019, a c. 1926-1930 pressed steel, closed cab Buddy L ice delivery truck, just may send shivers down the spines of collectors. It has its original sliding canvas cover and paint and decals and is estimated at $2,000-3,000. Lot #315, a Carpenter Tally Ho cast iron toy, features four handsome wheeled horses pulling seven figures sitting atop of a period coach. This beautifully executed example, one of the all-time favorite horse drawn toys, is estimated at $4,000-8,000. And the rubber truly hits the road with lot #905, a very rare German Nifty tin litho wind-up Hi-Way Henry automobile, estimated at $6,000-9,000. This absolute rarity comes with its original box which is decorated with a very nice paper label showing characters driving the automobile. Only two or three examples with original boxes are known to exist.
Fine trains, doorstops, penny toys, marbles, holiday ephemera, Steiff animals, and dolls round out this comprehensive two day auction. Of special note is a small but quality collection of 13 vintage Käthe Kruse lots. Lot #4, an all cloth little girl with painted hair, molded and painted features, and a body with wide hips, is particularly appealing. She is estimated at $1,500-2,500.
According to Dan Morphy, President of Morphy Auctions, “Our first toy sale of 2017 certainly offers collectors some amazing temptations. The selections of robot and space toys, and mechanical and still banks, are especially strong in this event. I must admit, as a collector, that the J. & E. Stevens’ cast iron jump roping girl bank truly makes my heart skip a beat! We welcome you to visit our gallery in Denver, PA to view these outstanding items firsthand, or of course check them out online anytime at www.morphyauctions.com.”
About Morphy Auctions:
Morphy Auctions, the finest auction destination for fresh to the market collectibles, is headquartered in Denver, PA. The company also has a satellite office in Las Vegas, NV. A full-service auction house, Morphy’s presents over 35 premier auctions annually. The company’s three-part mission includes ensuring consignor satisfaction with every auction, offering world-class customer service that goes above and beyond the call of duty, and providing relentless buyer support to create confidence for all clients seeking a trustworthy purchasing experience.
Morphy’s team of specialists includes the nation’s finest and most recognized experts in popular collecting categories including advertising; firearms; fine automobiles, automobilia and petroliana; coin-operated machines; antiques, fine, and decorative art; dolls, bears, toys, and trains; cast iron; coins; marbles; jewelry and wrist watches. Morphy Auctions is owned by President and Founder Dan Morphy, himself a lifelong and passionate collector of antiques, banks, and numerous other categories. Morphy’s has been in business since 2004 and has grown from two to over 65 employees in over a decade.
Morphy Auctions is located at 2000 North Reading Road, Denver, PA 17517. We can be reached by phone at 717-335-3435, by fax at 717-336-7115, and by email at info@morphyauctions.com. Morphy Auctions is open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm. For more information on Morphy’s, please visit www.MorphyAuctions.com.
Media Contact:
Sarah Stoltzfus
Director, Marketing
Morphy Auctions
877-968-8880 x710
Sarah.Stoltzfus@morphyauctions.com
Captions:
| Lot | Item | Low Estimate, $ | High Estimate, $ |
| DOLLS | Lot #4, Käthe Kruse Doll I, and others on offer | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 122 | Panorama Bank | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| 195 | J. & E. Stevens Cast Iron Girl Skipping Rope Mechanical Bank | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| 268 | Kyser & Rex Cast Iron Mammy & Child Mechanical Bank | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| 315 | Carpenter Tally Ho | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| 604 | Wind Up Tremendous Mike Robot | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| 609 | Wind Up Chime Trooper Astronaut | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| 646 | Battery Operated Target Gang Of 5 Robot | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| 688 | Battery Operated Mobile Space TV Unit with Trailer | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 689 | Battery Operated Martian Radar Patrol | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| 766 | Battery Operated Non-Stop Gang Of 5 Robot | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| 768 | Battery Operated Mr. Atomic Robot | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| 770 | Friction Astro-Scout Robot | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| 905 | Nifty Tin Litho Wind-Up Hi-Way Henry Automobile | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| 1019 | Pressed Steel Buddy L Ice Delivery Truck | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 1020 | Pressed Steel Keystone Police Patrol Truck | $3,000 | $4,000 |
