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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 46, NO. 13 FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2015
Toy Buyers Who Liked Part One Will Love Part Two Of The Max Berry Toy And Bank Collection The March 27 And 28 Sale At Bertoia’s Will Include Tremendously Rare Antique Mechanical Banks
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n describing what awaits bidders on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, when Bertoia Auctions presents part two of Washington attorney Max N. Berry’s antique toy and bank collection, gallery associate and auction coordinator Rich Bertoia offered an analogy from the motion-picture world. “When they do a sequel in Hollywood, it’s never as good as the original, but the follow-up to part one of Max’s collection, which we auctioned last November, will be a blockbuster,” he said. The auction of just over 500 lots is devoted exclusively to selections from Berry’s extraordinary lifetime assemblage of rare mechanical banks, early American tin and horsedrawn toys, as well as an enviable subcollection of bell toys and penny toys. Additionally, the lineup will be peppered with other toys that captured Berry’s fancy
This Zig-Zag mechanical bank, manufacturer unknown, patent applied for in 1889, with provenance from the Seamen’s Bank (New York), Al Davidson and Stan Sax collections, is estimated at $125,000-$175,000.
over the years, like handpainted German tin toys, a Mickey Mouse Hurdy Gurdy and other comic character rarities. “If it appealed to Max, he bought it, but it had to be something really special for that to happen,” said Bertoia. Almost 200 mechanical banks are entered in the March event, many of which come with provenance from legendary bank collections. Some are of a caliber so high they don’t show up at auction more than once in 20 or so years. “This will be one of those very unusual sales where even advanced collectors can find some of those near-apocryphal banks that have eluded them for so long,” said Bertoia. A top highlight is a Stevens mechanical bank depicting an AfricanAmerican and a watermelon, one
who paid $8 for it, was a pioneer collector and banker from Fostoria, Ohio, named Andrew Emerine. From Emerine, the A f r i c a n American-themed bank passed to another legendary collector, Mosler S a f e
This rare mechanical bank, J. & E. Stevens Co., designed by Charles A. Bailey, patented 1888, one of three known examples, provenance: Wally Tudor, F. H. Griffith, Leon Perelman and Stan Sax collections, is estimated at $225,000-$300,000.
of only three known to either Bertoia’s or the experts who were called in to assess and catalog the collection (Oliver Clark, Russ Harrington and Mike Caffarella). The bank was formerly held in the Stan Sax collection and will be auctioned with a $225,000$300,000 estimate. Another high-profile bank is Berry’s Jerome Secor Freedman’s Bank, which has a rich trail of provenance, starting with its purchase in 1939 from dealers in Mexico. The buyer,
Company president and CEO Edwin H. Mosler Jr. After Mosler, the bank’s next owner was Stanley P. Sax, whose collection was auctioned by Bertoia’s in 1998. It was at that auction that Max Berry acquired the bank, and it instantly became one of his most treasured possessions. It is cataloged in the March 27 and 28 auction with a presale estimate of $150,000-$200,000. All existing receipts and other written provenance will convey with the bank. Other top-notch cast-iron banks set to cross the auction block include a Santa-themed Zig-Zag bank, a possibly unique survivor of cast-iron, tin and cloth that Bertoia described as having “a very clever action. You put a penny on top of
A Welker Crosby barouche with driver, drawn by two black horses sporting blue blankets, 17 inches long, provenance from the Paul Dunigan collection, is estimated at $12,000-$15,000. The Mary and Her Little Lamb bell toy, Gong Bell Mfg. Co., considered the finest known example, provenance: Covert Hegarty collection, is estimated at $3,000-$3,500.
This Freedman’s Bank, mechanical, manufactured by Jerome B. Secor, Bridgeport, Conn., circa 1880, one of fewer than 10 known examples, inspired by the emancipation of slaves, with provenance from Emerine, Mosler, and Stan Sax collections, is estimated at $150,000-$200,000.
Santa’s head, the coin zig-zags down, and a jack-in-the-box springs up. There should be hands up in the air all over the auction room for this bank. It’s a favorite with collectors.” Zig-Zag is estimated at $125,000-$175,000. A red-version Mikado bank is expected to sell for upward of $75,000, while an Organ Grinder and Bear, possibly the only extant example with a movable arm on the grinder, is estimated at $10,000$12,000. Three extremely desirable banks made of lead are found in the Berry collection, including two designed by Charles A. Bailey: A Chinaman in Rowboat, estimate $80,000-$90,000 and a Cat and Mouse in beautiful condition. A third lead rarity, patented in 1905 but of unknown manufacture, is the Blacksmith bank. It will be offered together with a 1940 photo of its designer, Ohioan Fred Plattner, then age 80, seated and holding the bank. An array of wonderful tin banks includes an Empire Cinema, $15,000-$20,000; a colorful, handpainted William Weeden Ding Dong Bell, $60,000-$75,000; and two more Saalheimer & Strauss Mickey Mouse banks that complete the coveted four-bank series that was introduced during last November’s sale. Horse-drawn cast-iron toys include several variations of Spyder Phaetons, by Hubley and Kenton, respectively, that typify luxury auto travel of the early 20th century. The selection also includes an elegant Pratt & Letchworth Barouche, $10,000-$12,000; a fleet of Hubley Circus wagons and bandwagons; a Kyser & Rex Cage Wagon with a bear, lion and other animal figures, $8,000-$10,000; and a very rare Kenton Uncle Sam nodder horse-drawn toy, $6,000$8,000. A 28-inch-long Pratt & Letchworth Caisson drawn by four horses is the only example known to Bertoia’s. “It’s in jaw-dropping condition,” said Bertoia. “We expect it to sell above $50,000.” Max Berry’s fondness for American cast-iron bell toys was always common knowledge amongst collectors. “His is one of the most complete collections of its type, and it includes a number of toys with amusing themes,” said Bertoia. The collection’s early A m e r i c a n
A Mickey Mouse tin mechanical bank, Saalheimer & Strauss, Germany, circa 1930s, lithographed tin, one of four in series, is estimated at $18,000-$22,000.
handpainted tin “pull” bell toys create a virtual menagerie of animals, horses, dogs, sheep, goats, elephants and more. Also, there are many that depict ladies riding (Continued on page 6)
A clockwork hoop toy with clothdressed boy holding an American Flag, George Brown, circa 1880, is estimated at $8,000-$10,000.
This Girl Pushing Hoop toy, manufactured by George Brown, circa 1890s, depicts William Goodwin girl in cloth dress “pushing” a tin hoop toy, with Suffragette figure holding an American Flag at center. It is estimated at $10,000-$12,000.