Fairfield, ME ~ June 21, 2013. As auction-goers filed into Julia’s auction hall in rural Maine, one could sense a definite buzz building. In this day and age of modern technology, because of the convenience of participating absentee, by phone, or live via the internet, while participation is up, actual attendance at auctions is down, be it in New York, California, or Fairfield, Maine. But there’s no replacement for those who prefer to see the items they’re bidding on firsthand, the camaraderie of fellow bidders, and the energy of a live auction. And when an auction contains an impressive array of fresh to the market quality goods, for many, there’s nothing quite like being there. So when there is a large assembly of attendees, it is one of the first signs of a successful sale. Julia’s drive to bring the best to market is well appreciated by their eager buying public. This was evidenced by their recent 3-day auction extravaganza that kicked off their summer auction season that will culminate with their Fine Art, Antique & Asian auction in late August. The event began with two full days of fine glass and lamps and was followed by a lively array of antique toys, dolls, and antique advertising items. Look for the post auction report on the glass & lamp auction separately.

Julia’s Toy, Doll & Advertising auction, led by department head Andrew Truman contained a robust offering ranging from early American and European tin toys, clockwork toys, cast iron horse drawn and automotive toys, rare pressed steel trucks and pedal cars, gas powered tether racers, fine French and German dolls, antique advertising, salesman samples, U.S. Patent models, trains & accessories, coin-operated machinery, music machines, and much more, bringing the final tally to over $1.2 Million against a pre-auction estimate of approximately $815,000.

Of the cavalcade of toys, a generous selection of American pressed steel toys included a single owner collection of over 20 choice examples. With a focus on quality, condition, and rarity, the grouping saw tremendous action and strong prices. With the consignor hailing from Rhode Island, he had an affinity for Sturditoy vehicles, a Rhode Island based company during the mid to late 1920s. Bidders were delighted by such offerings as a Sturditoy American Railway Express truck with an open cab and a screen sided back end. In an unusual color and boasting exceptional condition, it went out at $7,702 against an estimate of $2,000-3,000. Another rarity was a Sturditoy ambulance in cream with a red cross emblazoned on either side. Likewise exhibiting strong original condition, this seldom seen vehicle found a buyer at $6,517 versus expectations of $3,500-5,500. A cool Buddy L ice delivery truck in near mint condition sold within its $3,000-6,000 estimate for $5,036. Keystone also got into the act with a classic moving van with a large oval decal on the side and locking rear doors. Showing some minor wear, it was a strong example, finishing up at $4,443 against expectations of $1,500-2,500. And an American LaFrance chemical pumper with realistic styling and tanks that would dispense water for boys to act out fantasies of being a fireman went out at $3,555, dousing its $1,250-1,750 estimate.

From another private collection a little further south came a solid offering of cast iron horse drawn and automotive toys. Included were many examples that seldom see the marketplace. Highlights included a Hubley Elgin street sweeper that seemed like an odd choice for a boy’s plaything, perhaps accounting for its rarity. Well constructed with tremendous detail, it brushed past its $1,500-2,500 estimate to sell for $4,740. Other service vehicles from the collection included a rare Hubley Ingersoll-Rand compressor truck. This Mack truck was faithfully styled after the original of the time period and featured a detailed, separately cast motor, expansion tanks, and nickeled cast iron spoke wheels. It sold within its $4,500-6,500 estimate for $5,925. An Arcade White panel truck in apple green formerly of the Donald Kaufman collection went out at $3,495 against an estimate of $2,000-3,000. In the horse drawn category was a rare Hubley 2-seat brake. This desirable horse drawn carriage in all-original condition featured stalwart horses, finely cast chassis, and a full set of passengers. It sold for $5,332, just above its $3,000-5,000 estimate.

The parade of toys continued with a selection of European and American tin toys such as an attic find Marklin battleship representing the HMS Russell. Unrestored and in as-found condition, it is certainly a candidate to be brought back to its original glory. It featured great lines, detailed decking, and a massive hull. Expected to sell for $25,000-45,000, it landed at $33,180. A scarce live steam Rock & Graner paddle wheel boat from the late 1800s that had been lovingly restored saw action to $8,887, selling within its $7,000-10,000 estimate. Other boats included an exceptional and rare Carette searchlight boat. This early battery-operated boat had great form and appeal, going to a phone bidder for $4,147, midway through its $3,500-4,500 estimate.

A private Midwest collection of minty tin character toys were very well received. Approximately 50 examples that were as strong in condition as the day they were made, and nearly all retaining their original boxes performed admirably. Highlights included some scarce examples such as a Popeye windup “Air-o-Plane” with its box that featured everyone’s favorite sailor in flight gear rolling about erratically in a graphic one-seater. It went to a museum in the Orient for $11,257 against an estimate of $2,500-4,000. Perhaps better suited to his station as a sailor was a Popeye battery-operated remote control rowboat. Also with its original box, this lively and rare toy with bright lithography and great action finished up at $3,495 against a $2,000-3,000 estimate. Other highlights included some 1960s Saturday morning cartoon themed lots such as a set of four windup hoppers depicting the Jetsons including George, Elroy, Astro, and Rosie the robot. Joined by three original boxes, the lot went out at $1,777, surpassing an estimate of $900-1,500.

The collection continued with a variety of other characters including Disney. A Mickey Mouse celluloid “Rambler” in which he vibrates across the table was almost unbelievable in that such a fragile item could survive this long and in the condition it’s in. It was accompanied by its original box and a $1,200-1,800 estimate, and sold for $2,370. From another collection came various Disney related toys including bisque figures of Mickey and Minnie enjoying a tea party. Complete with its original box, the lot sold for many times its $200-400 estimate for $2,962.

Other toys for the more serious collector included some impressive automotive models and gas powered tether racers. The former, modern highly detailed, limited edition German models from the early 1990s included a depiction of a 1913 Mercer Raceabout by Sapor. With working headlights, detailed working engine, brakes, clutch, etc. driven by an accompanying power pack, it was most appealing, driving it beyond the $3,500-5,000 estimate to $8,295. An equally detailed Sapor model of a 1904 Mercedes Simplex likewise exceeded its $3,500-5,000 to bring $7,702. A selection of gas powered tether racers included a spectacular Alexander racer assembled by the renowned Don Edmonds that went out at $5,332 against an estimate of $2,000-4,000. And a Dooling Mercury tether racer with a desirable “Dennymite” engine from Reginald Denny Industries saw action beyond its $2,000-3,000 estimate to $3,851.

Adding to the excitement and diversity was a single owner southern Maine collection of model trains and accessories by such makers as Lionel, American Flyer, Ives, and more. Numbering approximately 70 lots, the consignor was wise to focus on condition. An added bonus was that many of the pieces retain their original boxes and set boxes, adding to the desirability of the offering. Highlights included a lot of nine Lionel standard gauge 500-series freight cars. In near excellent condition, the lot went out at $2,488 against expectations of $1,200-1,600 while a boxed Ives O-gauge #3261 freight set sold for $2,014, beating out its $1,000-1,500 estimate. Also included was a selection of original catalogs including a lot of three Ives examples from the early 1900s that sold above its $300-400 estimate for $1,185. From another consignor came a rare and expansive set centered on a rare Lionel 2169WS locomotive with numerous cars, accessories, track, transformers, and everything you would need, not to mention every original box including the set box. It hit above the midpoint of its $2,500-4,500 estimate to sell for $3,555.

A select grouping of quality dolls was also offered. One just never knows what will hit the Julia auction block. Running the gamut of genres and materials, bidders were treated to a variety of fine bisque French and German examples. True artists with a flare for the elaborate created some of the most captivating expressions one could hope to find. Of the examples offered, highlights included an exquisite Andreas Voit papier mache doll with her original box. With a most sublime expression and in wonderful all original condition, she exceeded expectations of $2,000-3,000 to sell for $4,029. An extraordinary pair of 1850s era glass eyed papier mache dolls dressed as a bride and groom featured such details as individually stitched fingers, molded hair, and period costumes. The pair enjoyed the attention deserving of a happy couple, reaching $5,332 amid a $4,500-6,500 estimate. Hitting the same $5,332 figure was a lovely and large E 14 J Depose Jumeau bebe with large blue paperweight eyes and a closed mouth, beating out her $3,000-5,000 estimate. Other highlights included a lovely 14” close mouth Jumeau E. J. 5 with brown glass paperweight eyes that sold for $4,740 against a $4,000-6,000 estimate. And a charming vignette of miniature all-bisque dolls arranged in a classroom setting within a wood and glass showcase exceeded an estimate of $400-600 to bring $3081.

The auction continued with a large and varied grouping of quality antique advertising items. Included were numerous pieces that seldom (if ever) hit the marketplace. Topping the list was a rare 1920s Coca-Cola die-cut cardboard sign of a lovely lady in a wicker chair that changed hands at $11,850 against a $10,000-12,000 estimate. A rare 1907 calendar top depicting a lovely Victorian woman in profile enjoying a glass of Pepsi was the first of its kind seen by the auctioneer. The vibrant piece sold midway through its $4,000-6,000 estimate for $5,332.

Non-soda advertising included such pieces as a chalk figure for Red Indian tobacco. Depicting a reclining chief enjoying a leisurely smoke, the piece boasted tremendous graphic appeal and surpassed expectations of $2,000-2,500 to bring $4,740.

Other signage included a collection of porcelain, paper, and cardboard signs. Standouts included a rare curved corner porcelain sign for Red Top Flour. Picturing a young lad scaling a fence, this stunner in stellar condition brought $4,740 against a conservative estimate of only $800-1,200. A highly unusual porcelain sign for Royal Daylight lamp oil sold for 2,488, burning its $600-1,200 estimate. Other household objects such as the De Laval cream separator were promoted by a large round self-framed tin sign picturing the lady of the house using the machine. In exceptional condition, it went out at $4,147, nearly tripling the low end of its $1,500-2,500 estimate. Two different signs featuring the famous Dutch Boy proved to be popular items. A two-sided flange sign promoting their Cornell white lead paint exceeded its $600-1,200 estimate to bring $5,036 while a die-cut hanging string holder in great condition, complete with its original bucket went out at $2,962 (est. $800-1,200). Surpassing each of these was a flange sign for Heath and Mulligan paints with a graphic of a fine Victorian home sold for more than twelve times its $600-1,200 estimate to bring $7,702.

A variety of firearm themed calendars including Winchester performed well. A 1926 calendar with a central image of a hunter squaring off against an approaching bear was complete with its top and bottom metal bands and a full date pad. Bidders took notice, bringing it to a final selling price of $6,517 versus a $2,500-3,500 estimate. A 1912 example where two hunters corner a bear atop a rocky outcropping (or vice versa) sold above its $2,000-3,000 estimate for $4,977.

Salesman samples, always a popular advertising collectible that Julia’s specializes in included a variety of over 50 farming implements, household objects, furniture, machines, and more. While Julia’s has sold hundreds of salesman samples over the years, an outstanding Walter A. Wood self-rake reaper was absolutely one of the finest. One of the most elaborate and appealing pieces of its type to hit the market in many years, this restored wood and brass model had it all. Starting with a wide sickle bar mower, hay is fluffed and swept onto a wide platform. A mechanical arm then comes around and rakes it into a waiting wagon. It sold within its $10,000-15,000 estimate for $11,850. This piece was joined by other farm implements including a wonderful nickel plated hay baler. The intricate belt driven gear mechanism takes loose hay in one end and produces a compact bale from the other. This most elaborate and appealing example sold for $8,591 against an estimate of $3,000-5,000. A nickel plated salesman sample two-handled cultivator with its original carrying case went out at the upper end of its $2,500-4,500 estimate for $4,147.

These exceptional farm implements were followed by a phenomenal sample for a Koken porcelain and nickel barber chair. One of the most highly sought after samples to ever hit the market, it surpassed its $16,000-20,000 estimate to sell for $35,550. Also included were such opportunities as a most unusual ladder wagon/fire escape ladder. Its brass and wood base supported a superstructure that scissor lifted a brass set of steps to bring citizens down to safety. Complete with its original carrying case and consigned directly from the descendents of the very inventor, it was a last minute addition as the auction catalog was nearing completion. It caught the eye of numerous bidders and ultimately brought $13,627, toward the upper end of its $5,000-15,000 estimate. And a salesman sample of a Fleming lifeboat that was operated by the passengers who would operate levers to engage the propellers. Complete with its original carrying case and some literature on the model and the full sized example, it sold above its $5,000-7,000 estimate for $8,295.

Also featured in this auction, and having some crossover appeal to collectors of salesman samples was the collection of U.S. Patent Models from the late Terry Wesner of Chelsea, Michigan. Terry was a longtime collector and aficionado of Patent Models and he had a great appreciation for the inventing process, the beauty of the interaction of moving parts, and the history of one of America’s most intellectually fertile periods. His collection, which took him decades to amass, represented a wide variety of subjects and styles and saw very active bidding. Some of the many highlights included such marvelous examples as the Patent Model for the original Bissell carpet sweeper. Constructed of decorated wood and brass, and retaining its original patent tag, this historic piece that started it all and continues to this day sold just above its $2,500-3,500 estimate for $3,851. A patent model for a hand powered three wheel velocipede patented in 1881 plowed through its $1,500-2,500 estimate to bring $7,702. A highly elaborate and somewhat cumbersome burglar alarm seems so over-the-top, it is doubtful it ever made it into production. With a series of weights, pulleys, cranks, bells, and wires, anyone (other than the inventor himself) has to wonder how it possibly could have functioned. Fascinating all the same, it sold for $6,517, beating out its $2,000-4,000 estimate. The collection also contained items ranging from the mundane to the more bizarre such as one of Terry’s favorites, a corpse cooler, which kept the dearly departed “on ice” during a wake that brought $3,258 (est. $1,500-2,500) burial casket display on an integral leg arrangement that sold for $2,488 (est. $600-800). Other highlights included machines for the production of crackers ($4,443), an early lawnmower ($3,555), and an automatic fan ($3,081), each far exceeding pre-auction forecasts.

The sale was rounded out in part by a variety of coin-operated arcade, gambling, and music machines. Of the musical variety was an outstanding Mills Violano Virtuoso. Combining the instruments of a high end nickelodeon with the additional feature of a violin, it is one of the more sought after automatic instruments. These pieces seldom hit the market and this one neared the upper end of its $20,000-30,000 estimate to sell for $29,625. It was joined by other music machines including a Victor V oak phonograph with matching horn that went out at $4,503, surpassing its $3,000-3,500 estimate.

Coin-op and arcade items included a wonderful and scarce oak Multiple Mutoscope flip card viewer. Consisting of four windows, it was an improvement over the single viewers of the period. Nicely carved and having great presence, it far exceeded an estimate of $4,000-8,000 to finish up at a massive $33,180. The item was consigned by and the proceeds are to be used for the care of the FASNY Museum of Firefighting of Hudson, New York. Rare coin-op was the order of the day. A fortune teller known as Esmeralda featured a gypsy woman in a Middle Eastern tent and was accompanied by two exceedingly rare original Edison wax cylinders, of which there are only a handful known to exist that provide the voice of Esmeralda. This item found a buyer for $43,845, surpassing its estimate of $35,000-40,000. Another rare fortune teller, a wonderful Puss in Boots mechanical machine that tells your future for a penny exceeded a predicted $8,000-12,000 estimate to sell for $15,405. An unusual, rare, and highly elaborate Art Deco theater lobby candy vendor will likely be the only of its type you will see this year. Exquisitely restored, its equal does not exist. It found a buyer at $17,775 within a $15,000-35,000 estimate. And an English “Climbing Fireman” arcade race game was a popular choice, burning through its $2,500-4,500 estimate to land at $9,480.

Standalone items included a Western Union stock ticker with display pedestal that was expected to sell for $8,000-10,000 and found a buyer at $15,405. And an unusual carousel chariot by the famed Dentzel firm depicting a Roman chariot emblazoned with a horn-blowing Cupid figure being pulled by winged tigers sold for $4,147 within an estimate of $3,000-6,000.
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 rare lamp & glass auction as well as their toy & doll 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.