Fairfield, Maine, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2011. For three days at the close of November in rural Maine, as many are thinking of holiday preparations, the staff at James D. Julia was immersed in an auction event that showcased an outstanding array of quality antiques to contemporary objects d’art. Combining the efforts of Julia’s advertising, toy & doll division head Andrew Truman and glass & lamp department head Dudley Browne, bidders were excited by the prospect of a bargain and the anticipation of the frenzied bidding battles that often ensue.

In their 40 years in the business, Julia’s has provided the public with scores of auctions culled from some of the finest collections and private homes in the country. The vast assortment of treasures this time around was a feast of over 1,400 lots. A two-day session of antique and contemporary paperweights, lamps, rare art glass, English and French cameo followed a diverse array of American and European toys, mechanical banks, fine French and German dolls, antique advertising, salesman samples, coin-operated machines, music boxes, and other fine items the day prior for a final tally of over $2.5 Million!

The first session showcased a diverse array of American and European toys, mechanical banks, fine French and German dolls, antique advertising, salesman samples, coin-operated machines, music boxes, and other miscellaneous treasures. The following two days changed gears to feature exceptional leaded lamps, rare art glass, cameo glass, Victorian glassware, and more.

This time around, bidders were treated to a taste of the unusual with one of the more elusive of tin windup toys, the Boxer Rebellion clockwork toy by Lehmann. One of only a handful known to exist it features four figures representing the world’s four great powers of the early part of the 20th century (England, France, Germany and Russia) tossing a Chinese rebel in a blanket, symbolizing the suppression of the rebellion in their struggle for independence. This detailed toy with political undertones was in exceptional original condition and came to the block with a $15,000-20,000, selling for $18,400. This toy joined several other popular Lehmann windup toys such as a scarce Lehmann Echo motorcycle and rider in exceptional condition. Expected to bring $2,000-2,500, it went out at $2,875. Other German tin windups included a highly rare and amusing toy featuring comic characters Mutt & Jeff by Gunthermann. Jeff rides piggyback as the toy bounces and rolls along; it sold for $3,680 within expectations of $3,500-5,500.

Toys for boys who like theirs a little bigger included a selection of over 25 pedal cars. Some companies in the first half of the 20th century really went all out and were perhaps the ones for whom “all the bells and whistles” was coined. A truly outstanding fire truck pedal car by American National wasn’t for just anyone. The ladder truck with deep red original paint and yellow pinstripes, several wooden ladders, a spotlight, headlights, running boards, and bell at the front was likely the envy of the neighborhood. Ex-Kaufman collection, it sold just above its $15,000-20,000 estimate for $20,125. It was joined by another one of Kaufman’s former treasures, an American National Buick pedal car roadster that was mounted to a green porcelain barber chair pedestal early in its lifetime. With simulated balloon tires, spotlight, and impressive eagle hood ornament, it surely must have been a joy for a boy to get a haircut while sitting in that. It sold within its $15,000-20,000 estimate for $18,975. Others included a lot of two pedal cars that included a black sedan with simulated balloon tires and streamline styling. The lot sold for $2,300 against an estimate of $400-800.

The diversity of the sale extended to even more contemporary objects whose characteristics had perhaps traditionally antique sensibilities of quality and detail. To those who say, “They don’t make them like that anymore” haven’t seen German company Sapor Modelltechnik or America’s Fine Art Models. These kit models, built to exacting standards spared no detail. One such example was the former’s scale model for a 1929 Bentley Blower, which featured a working electric motor, shift-able gears, and more. Consisting of over 4,000 pieces, one can imagine the hours upon hours taken to bring the piece to life. A true work of art, this piece sold for $8,050 versus a $3,000-4,000 estimate. A Fine Art Model of a die-cast, semi-cutaway WWII Corsair navy fighter plane was nearly as impressive. With folding wings, fine detailing of the engine, including a working joystick in the cockpit, this piece flew to $5,175, soaring past its $1,500-2,500 estimate.

Of particular interest in the auction was a collection of rare jointed Schoenhut Safari figures and animals created to commemorate Theodore Roosevelt’s trip to Africa in the early 1900s on behalf of the Smithsonian. Included was a wooden portrayal of Roosevelt himself that sold for $2,300 against projections of $1,250-1,750. A seldom seen Arab character from the series also found his way to the auction block, finding a buyer at $3,450. Also quite scarce was a Native Chief figure in his original garb that brought $2,990, surpassing an $800-1,200 estimate. The sale also included selections from the Schoenhut Circus series including a nearly complete big top tent that sold for $3,910 versus an $800-1,200 estimate. And a rare, large 40” Schoenhut store display depicting the popular Palmer Cox Brownie figure with bulging eyes, portly belly, and spindly legs was a rare opportunity. One of only a handful known to exist, this wild character known as “Millionaire Dude” sold midway through his $5,500-7,500 estimate for $6,325.

Display figures also included several clockwork nodders. These black key-wind characters served as great attention getters in shop owners’ windows in the early 20th century. The selection included a dapper gent looking ready for a night on the town. Bidding went beyond the $2,000-3,000 estimate to $3,450. Other mechanical, automated and otherwise animated objects included a phenomenal Alexandre Theroude barrel organ monkey automaton. The piece depicts a duet of courtly dressed monkeys playing their cello and violin, flanking a central simian magician. The animated magician nods to onlookers, pulling back his lips in a smile as the objects beneath his two chalices magically transform into other objects. Backed by a Thibouville Lamy barrel organ, it went out at $19,550 within an estimate of $18,000-22,000.

With an array of interesting movements all their own, the auction continued with a collection of cast iron mechanical banks. Highlights included a clean Stevens ‘Spise a Mule bank with the boy on the bench. In strong original condition, it sold above its $1,500-2,500 estimate for $3,162. A Shepard Hardware Mason bank depicting a bricklayer and his assistant plying their trade sold for $2,300 against expectations of $2,000-3,000. And a Boy on Trapeze bank in very good original condition sold for $2,300 against an estimate of $800-1,200. The sale continued with a sizeable selection of dolls including some exceptional French bebes. A rare 24” Series B Jules Steiner closed mouth bebe with pale bisque and a face so enchanting, she found favour with many a bidder, changing hands at well above her $7,500-9,500 estimate to bring $21,850. An extremely rare 7” all-bisque doll with an unusual swivel waist along with the usual jointed arms and legs, and painted molded boots was a real charmer, selling for $10,350 against an estimate of $6,000-7,000. An outstanding Francois Gauthier F7G block letter bebe with pale bisque, deep threaded paperweight eyes, and serene expression reached the midpoint of her $7,500-9,500 estimate to sell for $8,050.

A rare and sensational Roullet Decamps automaton with a Jumeau head and retaining its original box was another highlight worthy of note. Depicting a motley clown beating a base drum, it went out at $13,800 against expectations of $8,500-12,500.

Other dolls included Chinese Door of Hope dolls such as a rare and highly sought after Manchu Woman. These carved wood character dolls, created in the early 1900s by disadvantaged local girls with the assistance of American missionaries, helped teach skills and offer an alternative to a less desirable path. The doll with her elaborately carved headpiece and original clothing sold for $5,175, just above the upper end of its $3,000-5,000 estimate.

The advertising portion of the auction included a varied selection of signage in an array of categories. With little opposition, the king of cola and the king of soda advertising has to be Coca-Cola. They knew marketing from Day One and for over 100 years, the company has produced some of the most memorable advertising pieces around. Included in this auction was an extremely rare 1922 Coca-Cola five panel cardboard window display. Entitled “Four Seasons”, its brilliant color, detailed lithography, and captivating images of beautiful women made for a welcome addition to a more advanced collection. Estimated to sell for $15,000-20,000, it was a good investment at the $16,100 selling price. Also included was a scarce Coca-Cola paper sign from the same era picturing two beautiful women enjoying a picnic lunch made perfect of course by the inclusion of America’s favorite beverage. Sometimes seen in calendar form, this image is rarely seen in this fashion. It went out at $6,900 against a presale estimate of $6,000-10,000. From the same collection was a marvelous cardboard Coca-Cola die-cut display featuring 1930s film star and sex symbol Jean Harlow. With her come hither look, the display found a buyer at $5,750 above expectations of $2,000-4,000.

Other advertising included an unusual papier mache figural display for Keene’s foot salve. This wild piece depicts a personified man’s foot with a wide open mouth smile and each toe as another happy customer, suggesting the great effectiveness of the product. The display stamped out its $2,750-3,250 estimate to bring $7,762. A fabulous reverse on glass sign for Scott’s Emulsion fish oil supplement featured a central graphic of an old salt fisherman with a huge sturgeon on his back. In great untouched condition the sign more than tripled the high end of its $2,000-3,000 estimate to bring $9,200. A very unusual “new old stock” celluloid on cardboard sign for Punch & Judy cocktail health drink with superb graphics and blindingly bright color went out at $5,462, far exceeding its $1,000-3,000 estimate. A two-sided porcelain sign for Buster Brown shoes lacking neon tubing went out at $4,887 against an estimate of $2,500-3,500. A last minute addition of two Pratts Food posters including one with a superb image of an American Indian on his galloping horse was a sleeper, hitting $3,450, more than eleven times its estimate. And a massive and rare, all-original cast iron dealership display piece for Case Tractors depicting a full bodied eagle perched atop a globe also fared well. Showing evidence of having spent many years among the elements, it saw active phone bidding to $5,750 against an estimate of $3,000-4,000. A nice go-with for this piece, an elaborate working 2” scale model live steam Case tractor, was likely a dealership model and is detailed to the finest point. Alas, it failed to find a buyer.

Another form of advertising, the salesman sample, is always a popular item at Julia’s sales, particularly those representing agricultural machinery. An unusual and intricate brass potato planter with amazing craftsmanship and detail sold to a bidder in attendance who drove all the way from the Midwest just to buy the piece. And buy it he did, for $10,925, ignoring the $5,000-7,000 estimate. An unusual Ely Norris salesman sample cannonball safe went out at $12,362 (est. $11,000-13,000) and an exceptional all brass salesman sample road grader, different than typically seen with ample gears and moving parts brought $6,325 (est. $4,000-6,000).

Machines of a different sort included a selection of coin-op and arcade pieces. Golf themed machines are highly desirable and this sale included a rare Mills upright slot machine that pays out in golf balls. It was a good buy at $5,750. A Jennings wood case golf ball vendor/trade stimulator was another rarity that made the purchase of a golf ball a little more exciting with the gambling element. This unusual item brought $8,050 against a $4,500-6,500 estimate. An exceptional Regina 27” disc automatic changer in an elaborate oak case with columned crest and dragon fretwork sold for $14,375, just under its $15,000-20,000 estimate. And a contemporary Wurlitzer 850 CD jukebox modeled after their classic 1015 bubbler from the 1940s went out at $4,887.

Julia’s upcoming auctions include their winter antiques & fine art auction in February while a phenomenal firearms and military memorabilia auction will be held in March. Julia’s next toy & doll auction and their rare lamp & glass auction will take place in the spring. Julia’s is currently accepting consignments for these and other upcoming auctions. Call immediately for inclusion in these exciting sales. For more information or to place offers on unsold items, contact their offices at 207-453-7125. James D. Julia, Inc., P.O. Box 830, Dept. PR, Fairfield, ME 04937. E-mail: info@jamesdjulia.com.