Bertoia Auctions presents the "Rare Fun" toy sale April 29, 30 2005
Three major collections to headline an all important two-day auction event...

If you have been waiting for some truly rare and exciting toy choices and looking for a special, maybe an incredible line-up of toys, then get ready to head east this spring and look no further then to Bertoia Auction’s Vineland New Jersey Gallery. April 29, and 30 promises to fill toy wants with outstanding examples from not one or two, but three, very important collections culled over many years of travel and searches. Billed as the “Rare Fun” sale, the name aptly describes the contents of the auction’s full color catalog, which is loaded with page after page of unexpected toy collecting surprises, all to be sold in two-days starting Friday 29, and Saturday the 30, 2005, with a week long preview prior to auction time.

The collections come by way of Michigan resident Ray Burgess, who presents his years of pressed steel and cast iron toy finds, together with Arnie Hed of Minnesota, another in the company of seasoned collectors who readies to share his Early American toys, rare still banks, tin selection and extensive array of horse drawn toys, and one of the years most important Disney and comic character collections from the New Jersey shelves of Mel Feldman. These three groupings make the claim for a Rare Fun sale, and collectors should plan to attend this exceptional mixture of select fields of collecting, certain to create a stir in the enthusiastic world of toy collecting for some time. Bertoia Auctions has been working through the winter months in preparation of this sale, and the entire staff is ready and eager to present this very promising toy gathering to the entire toy community.

Collectors will marvel at the quantity, while raising some eyebrows at the quality. These collections were culled over a long period of time with lots of care by some very discriminating collecting tastes. The former shelves, once proud displays of toy collecting at its best, now makes an unequalled chance to be shared for yet more prominent displays. The sale will give collectors a boost of toy morale, knowing great things still come out once in a great while for sale. Choices upon choices should meet all collector’s criteria, and the 1200 plus lots will certainly cause a stir in the toy world… long overdue. Those with advanced toy interests will be in good company with those in search of familiar and popular examples. It’s a mixed cast of toy fields which include pressed steel, cast iron, lithographed and hand painted tin choices, together with early American toys crafted from wood, cloth, and cast figures. The preview shelves contain a visual history of predominantly American toys, from early American creations with satire in figural form, to the first forms of horse drawn toys, to the well built, and made to last that way, designs in pressed steel, to the coveted Mickey and Minnie on Motorcycle toy, sure to please even the most condition conscious collector out there. Each of the groupings has a surprise or two, or more, for collectors in search of the elusive, and nearly impossible to find. Bertoia Auctions is very proud and pleased to offer such a treasure chest of toy greats, and encourages anyone with a genuine interest in the world of toy collecting to take part in this much awaited event.

Friday night’s session will greet collectors with a well sorted offering of mechanical banks setting the stage for a second session of mechanical banks on Saturday as well. The collection numbers well near the 100 example mark with plenty of buyer opportunity and selection. The mechanicals join with stationary siblings, still banks, which feature one of the most important line-ups of Harper examples offered at one time. Arnie Hed, who incidentally billed the sale’s name, has prided in his life long quest to find a complete as possible grouping of famed Harper Safe examples… he did very well we might add. Saturday’s mechanicals head a lengthy list of condition first quality, and be prepared for some very pristine entries to fill a shelf craving or two. The sale features a poster size image of the highlight toys, and the gleaming colors of Punch and Judy, or Mule entering Barn are accurate to real life colors, simply bright.

Pressed steel toys from the Burgess shelves equal the original brightness of some of the banks, and collectors will be amazed at the quality of finds offered. In addition to some very unique and scarce examples such as several, that’s several, cab with doors examples, which include the coveted Red Baby, and a great line-up of Junior models in absolute clean condition, notables will mix well with Buddy ‘L’ Tugboat in gray, and even the rumored… and now offered, red Tugboat. If size matters, then Ray’s American National Packards fit the bill, with two examples to choose from including the brown Coupe, and the red Fire Chief’s car. Coal cars, delivery trucks, express trucks, incredible selection of fire trucks, and not one, but two, Outdoor Railroad sets with plenty of construction cars following, will be sold to the luckiest bidder. The collection numbering over 200 pressed steel entries will contain Flivvers, Metalcraft, and the best of the best from the pressed steel toy makers. One look at the collection and obvious importance becomes a separate tag, as Ray Burgess, known by many in the collecting hobby for great toy tastes, has built a truly show stopping collection. This sale promises to deliver the right stuff, and all are encouraged to participate in this sure to be landmark sale.

Joining the rare fun toys of Ray Burgess are the toys and banks from Arnie Hed of Minnesota. Known as a serious collector for many years, Arnie brings his cast iron horse drawn, still banks, and European tin toy collection for a large toy sharing event. The Gallery shelves are literally crammed with exceptional early cast iron toys, and one entire showcase highlights Arnie’s early American selection, which is full of rarity and turn of the century toy satire. Collectors familiar with Ives early creations will certainly have desirable choices, not readily available in today’s toy market. European hand painted entries include many of Guntherman’s inventive toy genius, together with roundabouts, and carousels with open gondolas.  His collection is vast and diversive with many fields of interest for the choosing. Tin, wood, and cast iron, and all predominantly from the late 1800’s to the early twenties was Arnie’s main toy attraction, and the representation is commendable. For the horse drawn enthusiast, prepare for a stunning selection of work, pleasure and whimsical examples from many makers. Fire toys from pumpers to ladder wagons, some clockwork examples in between, and a Carpenter Burning building readies to deliver some action to the already enormous grouping of pre-auto toy examples. Expect surprises, those that rate that special extended look of approval, as Arnie took collecting very seriously even during the days of toy peak infancy. There will be a few examples that rarely exchange hands these days, making the catalog a great reference, and highly recommended reading.

And if you are looking for more great reading, then you will be delighted at the Disney selection in the April offering, all from the Mel Feldman Disney and comic character collection. Important pieces line the glass shelves in a way that looks like a parade of the who’s who in Mickey Mouse fame. Heading the distinguished  list to be offered is the very desirable Mickey and Minnie Riding Motorcycle by Tippco of Germany in absolutely striking condition. Considered by many, one of the most important of the Disney toys, it falls in good company with a Distler Walking Mickey, and an Isla Minnie with caged Felix clockwork toy. These prime examples join in great company of celluloid Mickey Rider, Mickey Mouse Humming toy in original box, Isla made Oliver Hardy Sparkler, and many others. Mel’s comic character collection also has plenty of important toy character with a super line-up of notables and popular entries.  Felix, Popeye, Donald Duck, Hi Way Henry, Blondie, Charlie McCarthy and others will take center stage for the all important Saturday session. The collection was culled with condition as a guide, and rarity as a measure. Loaded with pristine lithography and originality, most of the examples fall into a no-excuses necessary category.

The diversity of Disney, pressed steel, horse drawn, early American, mechanicals, tin, and still banks is overwhelming at one glare into the Bertoia preview room, and collectors will enjoy the chance to bid on items rarely offered, or rarely to be offered at public auction again. The Gallery expects a lot of attention from collectors of all levels and has prepared their largest catalog to date for maximum photo exposure of each item. The hard-cover, full color catalog will serve well as a future reference guide, and collectors will enjoy the user friendly format providing as accurate as possible condition reports.

Preview times for this important sale begin a full week prior to the sale, and as always, Bertoia’s staff welcomes early previewing by appointment in order to accommodate busy schedules. It is highly advised to join in the preview for this sale, as the quantity mandates allowing extra time.

For the rest of the story, the shelves will display a selection of doorstops which include a super standing Bear, Bathing Beauties, Taylor and Cook Penguin, and others. Popular themes from flowers to houses to the whimsical will entertain collector’s wants and keep the strong interest in this exciting field climbing. Collectors can expect several fields of toy interests such as Keystone wooden boats and rare boxed sets, Smith Millers and Fred Thompson renditions, wooden sleds, pedal cars, and always an added specialty item or two in the sale. Collectors of all levels should attend this highly anticipated sale, and plan to share in the rare fun with others also interested in the pursuit of toy happiness.

Catalogs in hard cover and full color with after sale price key may be ordered for $35. US, or $45 foreign (US bank) by calling office with credit card or sending check or money order to: Bertoia Auctions, 2141 DeMarco Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360

For future sales or confidential consignment inquiries call : Tel 856-692-1881 or Fax 856-692-8697

Website – www.Bertoiaauctions.com

Mickey Mouse takes Minnie for a ride on a beautiful Tippco. motorcycle in enviable condition. This example was obviously garage ‘shelf kept,’ as the lithography is bright and full of luster.

Just one of the many cast iron buses that fall into the desirable category and to be offered at no reserve during the April 29, 30 sale. The larger scale pieces are true finds, and Ray decided long ago to go after the best that was available… we are so glad!

This Ferris Wheel is elegant and striking in size, and built with detail in mind. Bertoia Auctions is proud and pleased to offer this and a host of other German tin gems to the public.

Known as a giant in the development of American toys, this Ives Hansom Cab with Walking Horse exemplifies the companies toy ingenuity and progressive attention to detail. The casting effects are perfect, and the visual presentation is a marvel in toy production.

Some of the other great toys to be auctioned...

Three Seat Brake will park at the Bertoia podium and ride with a new owner who appreciates the detail and styling of early luxury travel.

This Packard straight Eight Sedan model by Hubley  highlight the outstanding auto collection culled by long-time collector, Ray Burgess.

For rarity and condition look at the White '6' Bus by Arcarde scarce both in example and condition, and just one of the many desirable buses to be offered.

Smith Millers by the well-known Fred Thompson should create some attention with nearly 50, mostly boxed examples from the Burgess archives.