Fairfield, Maine, May 4-5, 2011. Who knows what treasures lurk in the hearts of homes? The auctioneer knows. There’s something comforting about the familiar. But in the auction world, the opposite holds true. Buyers prefer a fresh to the market selection of goods over merchandise that has been seen, bought and sold by everyone under the sun. And when items and large collections have been stashed in homes for as long as one can remember, or if they’re making their first public appearance in over half a century, bidders sit up and take notice. That’s exactly what happened at Julia’s recent auction to bring the final tally beyond a pre-auction estimate of just under $1.2 Million to nearly $1.4 Million. One such recent discovery in America’s heartland yielded a fantastic selection of rare toys and advertising items that had been unknown to the collecting world until now. Included was one of the finest condition, all-original Carpenter Burning Buildings known to exist. The wooden building with its cast iron façade depicts a brownstone townhouse engulfed in flames. With the pull of a string, the brave fireman ascends the ladder to the balcony, bringing the distressed damsel down to safety. After a heated bidding battle, it doused its $20,000-30,000 estimate to sell for $31,625. From the same collection came a rare Automatic Toys Woman’s Rights clockwork toy, which was produced before the company’s merger with the renowned Ives firm and was found in marvelous original condition. It depicted an energetic, bulging eyed black woman pounding her fist on the podium, clamoring for the right to vote. Even more amazing was the fact that it came with its original wooden box. Surpassing expectations of $6,000-9,000, it ultimately sold for $14,375.

Another recent discovery was an unbelievable live steam Atkins Stover locomotive & tender. The train was one of three commissioned by the grandfather of the consignor who was a railroad tycoon responsible for building the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad in Pennsylvania. The highly elaborate brass and steel locomotive and tender with their original wooden crates showed unmatched craftsmanship. The duo chugged past its $15,000-25,000 estimate to sell for $40,825. From the same consignor was an extremely rare live steam Radiguet locomotive. Better known for their live steam boats, this self-contained brass locomotive with exceptional detail went to a phone bidder for $8,050, within an estimate of $5,000-10,000.

German innovation has long been a favorite among collectors of antique toys. The recent auction included two exceedingly rare and highly sought after tin clockwork boats from two separate sources. First was an outstanding all-original Marklin paddle wheel boat representing the “Brooklyn”. The 18” double paddle wheeler with elaborate decking and detailing was in untouched condition. Recently pulled from a west coast estate, it came fresh to the market with an estimate of $35,000-45,000 and sold for $60,375. It was joined by an impressive and equally fresh, untouched, all-original double paddle wheel boat emblazoned “Montreal”. Attributed to Lutz, or possibly Rock & Graner, this rarity in as-found condition from a New England home sold for $46,000 against a $15,000-20,000 estimate.

German-made boats seemed to be all the rage. An Ernst Plank hot air launch with a family of diners underneath a canopy sold for a solid $9,200, exceeding an estimate of $2,500-3,500. And a handsome Uebelacker paddle wheel boat with its original box, despite paint flaking to the hull, was a popular item. It sold for $4,140, surpassing expectations of $1,000-2,000. Other German toys included a hand painted tin model railway station by Marklin from the early 1900s. Brightly decorated and in outstanding original condition, it brought $5,175 against expectations of $2,500-4,500.

An American company that remained successful throughout the 20th century was none other than Buddy L. Their pressed steel toys became the standard upon which all others were based. As with everything these days, original unrestored examples are a bit harder to come by. Better known for their trucks, a special highlight of the auction was an unusual Buddy L tugboat. Relatively few were made, and even fewer survived. In all-original condition, it sold for 17,250 versus a $12,000-15,000 estimate. Other selections included a Buddy L wrecker featuring realistic working boom and strong paint went out at $5,175, more than doubling its $2,000-3,000 estimate. Sturditoy’s somewhat scarcer version of the wrecker in equally fine condition sold for $4,312, exceeding its $3,000-4,000 estimate. From the same collection was a marvelous all-original Steelcraft Packard pedal car. With all the bells and whistles that would make the neighborhood boys envious, it brought $6,325 against a presale estimate of $3,000-4,000.

American toys from an earlier generation included a George Brown hoop toy with a central rotating horse that would remain upright as the hoop rolled across the floor. Once part of the renowned Barney Barenholtz collection, it found several bidders, but only one buyer. It ignored its $2,500-3,500 estimate to finish up at $6,900.

Cast iron toys include a variety of vehicles such as a scarce Hubley DO-X airplane. The larger of the two sizes produced, this example had the added benefit of strong paint and great all over condition. It sold within its $4,000-6,000 for $5,750. A rare cast iron Kenton overhead Morgan yard crane consisting of a collapsible trestle frame on a wooden base seldom sees the public marketplace. Bidders appreciated the opportunity, bringing the final price just above its $5,000-6,000 estimate to $6,037.

In addition to the toys was a stellar selection of antique advertising signs and displays. Included were several rarities from the same discovery that brought us the aforementioned Burning Building. Topping the list was a very desirable paper poster for Ayer’s Pills. Depicting two Native Americans likely discussing the healing qualities of the product, this very colorful sign easily surpassed its $5,000-10,000 estimate, ultimately selling for an amazing $30,475. The same collection included a wide variety of soda related items such as two rare paper posters for Hires root beer. One depicting a young boy being pulled in a goat cart promoted it as the “great health and temperance drink.” This rare paper poster exceeded its $4,000-6,000 estimate to bring $10,350. The following lot was an unusual poster featuring the famed “ugly kid” enjoying a glass of Hires. It surpassed its $3,000-5,000 to sell for $9,775.

Other advertising included a variety of rare Coca-Cola pieces from the early 1900s. A rare 1902 hanging paper sign of a beautiful Victorian woman writing a letter while enjoying America’s favorite beverage sold for $14,950 within an estimate of $14,000-16,000. An iconic figural Coca-Cola bottle lamp was another rare opportunity. It exceeded expectations of $7,000-9,000 to sell for $13,800. A rare salesman sample Glascock cooler in outstanding original condition and retaining its original wood carrying case neared the upper end of its $8,500-10,500 estimate to bring $10,350. And a very desirable 1908 Coke calendar in the best original condition one could ever hope to find brought $6,900 against an estimate of $6,000-7,000.

Just in time for planting season, a trio of brightly lithographed paper posters for Rice’s seeds saw active bidding. One bidder in attendance was ecstatic to win all three, but not until after other determined bidders had the same intentions. The highlight of the group was a marvelous multicultural image of Uncle Sam playing tug-of-war with a garden harvest against John Bull, the Maharaja, and an African native. The poster sold for $3,910 versus a $600-800 estimate. Other highlights included a most unusual celluloid sign for Punch & Judy cocktail sign by Whitehead & Hoag. In absolutely new, unused condition, it caught the eye of several exacting collectors. Exceeding an estimate of $700-900, it found a buyer at $3,450. The following lot, which couldn’t claim the same stellar condition, but had rarity on its side, was a self-framed tin sign for Moxie soda that also advertised the store’s stock of candy, soda, and cigars. Expected to sell for $500-700, it went out at $2,300. And a stone lithographed poster for Armour’s extract of beef depicting a wide eyed young boy dressed as a cowboy eating from a bucket of beef bouillon sold for $2,875 against a $500-750 estimate.

In addition was a fine selection of coin-op arcade, vending, and slot machines. A rare Bally Reliance dice game in outstanding restored condition sold for $16,100, surpassing its $12,000-15,000 estimate. Vending included a fine Champion L-shaped gum vendor with green porcelain panels that sold for $4,600 (est. $2,500-3,500) and an Adams Pepsin tutti-frutti gum vendor with porcelain panels and original dark red painted cabinet that sold for $4,887 (est. $4,500-6,500).

Long known as assembling one of the most expansive collections of baseball themed slot machines and parlor games, Dr. Mark Cooper of Pennsylvania made baseball his passion for several decades. A selection of nearly a dozen of his coin-op machines including some rare, hard to find pieces included a B&M Products skill game in which the player would launch a ball around the field in an attempt to knock down shelves to win gumballs. It sold for $4,600 against expectations of $3,000-4,000. A similar machine with the same level of rarity, but with a bit more color was a one cent skill game where the player tries to “fill the bases” to win gumballs. It sold for $3,565, just above its $2,500-3,500 estimate. And a scarce Watling 5 cent baseball themed slot machine from the 1930s sold for $4,312 within its $3,500-5,500 estimate.

A selection of music machines included an unbelievable coin-operated Multiphone. One of only a handful known to exist in the world, it was perhaps the precursor to the modern day jukebox. Its tall oak cabinet encases a carousel of 24 cylinder records that play through a massive brass horn atop the machine. It sold to a phone bidder for $63,250. A collection of other high end music machines included such highlights as a rare Symphonion musical tall case hall clock that plays 13-5/8” discs rather than the standard chimes. It got inside its $14,000-16,000 estimate to sell for $14,950. A 15-1/2” Lion’s Head Columbia Grafonola Reginaphone with the ability to play both metal discs and “talking” records was the last ditch effort by the company to stay current with the ever changing technology of the day. It sold for $8,625 within its $8,000-10,000 estimate. Also hitting the $8,625 mark was a massive 25-1/2” Kalliope glass front upright disc player. And a Symphonium coin-operated disc playing music box featuring a rotating banner that advertised a series of different sponsors of the day sold for $4,887, within a $3,000-6,000 estimate.

Collectors were delighted by a marvelous selection of fine French dolls. Seldom seeing the market was an outstanding and rare, diminutive 9-1/2” Steiner F. This series by the famed doll maker is particularly sought after for their exquisite molding and quality. The doll had received much attention leading up to the auction and was expected to bring a strong price. It did not disappoint. Having numerous phone bidders at the ready, it quickly opened and closed. The final selling price was $25,875, well in excess of its $6,000-10,000 estimate.

A fabulous and rare 16” painted eye swivel neck Huret fashion doll sold midway through its $14,000-18,000 estimate for $16,100. A charming early Portrait Jumeau with deep threaded paperweight eyes and mauve eye shadowing sold for $9,200 above expectations of $4,000-8,000. A 15-1/2” Bru Jne 4 with bulging almond shaped eyes and sublime expression sold for $9,775, just above its $7,500-9,500 estimate. A 14” wood bodied Bru fashion with pale blue paperweight eyes and a “Mona Lisa smile” sold within a $4,500-6,500 estimate for $4,830. And a rare Kestner 6” all-bisque doll with a molded bird sculpted right into her hand sold for $7,475 against an estimate of $7,000-9,000.

A generous selection of Steiff teddy bears included a rare 11” black bear. These bears were made in limited supply, produced in honor of the victims of the Titanic and sold as “mourning bears”. In generally good condition, it sold within a $2,500-4,500 estimate to bring $3,737. And a rare 10” Steiff clown bear with an original pointed hat stitched to his head and retaining his ear button was as cute as a button. He changed hands at $2,300 against a $1,000-2,000 estimate.

The auction also featured a portion of the Barbara Thornsjo collection of antiques, funk & junque. The late Mrs. Thornsjo, formerly of Albion, Maine, was a passionate and compulsive buyer of folk art, eclectic toys, and funk. The house was all but bursting at the seams. When Jim Julia arrived at the house for the first viewing, he was truly astounded by the quantity that was presented upon opening the front door. The Julia staff had to literally sidestep single file through room after room which were packed floor to ceiling with her vast hoard of antiques, furniture, toys, and memorabilia. Her folk art and furniture were sold through Julia’s Americana auction in February. The diverse and eclectic toy portion of her collection was sold in this auction in lots ranging from a few items to scores of items. Though condition was not one of her primary foci, bidders were captivated by the rarity in certain cases, but even more so by the freshness of the items, the conservative estimates, and the hope to find a hidden treasure among the lots. Bidders in attendance were heard commenting that the elements of mystery and hope are missing from most of today’s auctions, and that it was refreshing to experience it at Julia’s recent sale.

Highlights from this segment of the sale included an assorted grouping of Yellow Kid items. Included was an incredibly rare Yellow Kid theater (one of only a few known to exist) that featured a troupe of four dancing Yellow Kids. Estimated for $700-900, the lot brought $5,290. A grouping of black toys and other miscellaneous items exceeded expectations of $2,500-4,500 to sell for $6,325. A lot of 34 early German squeak toys depicting various animals and human figures sold for $4,312 (est. $600-900). Several lots of vintage holiday collectibles included a marvelous set of six papier mache jack-o-lanterns with its original box brought more than 14-times its forecast to bring $4,312. Other highlights included a miscellaneous lot of Popeye toys including tin windups and a boxed Thimbledrone Theater that sold for $2,300 (est. $800-1,200). Standalone items included a colorful Victorian hanging teacher’s educational chart ($4,255 against a $400-800 estimate) and a carnival ball toss game that would turn Hitler into a jackass with a well placed hit ($2,587 against a $400-600 estimate).

An early form of advertising and product marketing was the salesman sample. Rather than carting around a sometimes heavy and cumbersome object, a salesman was able to show his wears in a more easily managed, exact miniature that still showed the prospective customer the necessary details of its full sized counterpart. The quality of their construction has made them a hot collector’s item today, and Julia’s has a long string of successes with these objects. This auction included a fabulous country store seed counter. Consisting of nine removable window front drawers, it had great charm and patina. It saw lively bidding to $7,762 against a presale estimate of $2,000-3,000. A finely restored salesman sample Quick Meal stove with elaborate nickel plated elements sold for $4,025 against a $2,000-3,000 estimate. A very appealing “Winner” runner sled takes us back to those great winter days of our childhood. It cut through its $1,500-2,500 estimate to bring $3,105. And a collection of miniature live steam and gas engines was highlighted by a scarce Schoenner illuminating gas engine that sold for $3,105 and a Lady Susan working live steam traction engine reminiscent of Case that brought $5,175.

Other items of interest included an outstanding and rare full size 1912 Harley Davidson “Silent Grey Fellow” motorcycle. This belt driven half-bicycle, half motorcycle is a collector’s dream. Lovingly restored with original parts, this unusual riding machine sold for $27,025 within a $25,000-35,000 estimate. An unusual and exceedingly rare all original candy container in the form of a kaleidoscope is one of the rarest forms known and one of only a handful known to exist. It sold for $20,700 against an estimate of $5,000-10,000. And a collection of steam whistles included a mammoth 49” example manufactured by the Ashton Valve Co. and a large 22” example by Star Brass Mfg. Co. that sold for $2,070 and $1,380, respectively.

Julia’s upcoming auctions include their annual End of Summer antiques & fine art auction in August while a phenomenal firearms and military memorabilia auction will be held in October. Julia’s next toy & doll auction as well as their rare lamp & glass auction will follow in November. 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.