Fairfield, ME ~ June 22, 2012. Amid the blistering heat of Central Maine in the opening days of summer, things were heating up indoors at Julia’s as well. One could feel the energy of the crowd who assembled to view and bid on a stellar and diverse offering of fine quality antique toys, dolls, and advertising items. The results, which hit just above the million dollar mark were a clear indication that buyer optimism is up, especially for fresh to the market quality goods that are conservatively estimated. This sale follows a steady stream of successful auctions the firm has conducted in their 40 years in the business as well as opening a new satellite office in Woburn, Massachusetts. Julia’s star continued to rise when they were honored by Maine’s Governor Paul LePage by being awarded the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence in a special ceremony. The award recognizes Maine companies that demonstrate a high level of commitment to the community, their employees, and to manufacturing or to service excellence Only six Maine companies received this award this year, and as per Governor LePage, “This year’s honorees represent businesses that are regional, national, and International leaders in their fields.”

This auction was actually part of a double header that combined the efforts of Toy, Doll & Advertising division department head, Andrew Truman and their Fine Glass & Lamp division head Dudley Browne. This multi-day event drew in a sizeable crowd as well as attracted bidders from across the globe who participated via telephone and the internet.

The Toy, Doll & Advertising auction boasted an offering that ranged from early American tin horse drawn pieces to American and European clockwork automotive toys, pedal cars, fine French & German dolls, antique advertising, coin-op, salesman samples, music machines, and much more. The diverse array of antique toys was highlighted in part by an exceedingly rare and desirable George Brown horse drawn circus wagon. The polychrome tin cage wagon containing a vicious tiger, pulled by two galloping white horses saw tremendous interest. Recently found in an old estate, and briefly posted on eBay, the consignor pulled it when he discovered that Julia’s had sold an example of this toy a few years ago for over $50,000. Strong action between multiple telephone bidders, a floor bidder and the internet battled it out. It ultimately went to an internet bidder for an astounding $76,700, well in excess of its $15,000-35,000 estimate.

The funny thing is with an auction, one never knows which items will over perform and which ones will under perform, so it pays to be an astute bidder. Despite slightly higher expectations a massive 46” all-original Marklin electric powered ocean liner depicting the “Deutschland” was one of the small handful of bargains had that day. The boat came fresh to the market after having spent the last half a century in a private southern gentleman’s collection. Found in virtually untouched all original finish that should have only added to its charm and desirability, it appeared to have everything going for it. Perhaps afraid too many bidders would be participating or it would go beyond the high end of the estimate, it’s possible some would-be bidders didn’t participate. As a result, an ecstatic Pennsylvania bidder purchased it for $46,000 against a presale estimate of $50,000-75,000.

Transportation themed toys take on a wide variety of forms, and this auction featured selections from many of them. Other seafaring objects included a large Boucher Barracuda live steam boat from the renowned New York makers. Finely crafted in wood with brass works, this fine example eked past the upper end of its $4,000-5,000 estimate to sell for $5,060. From the same company and the same collection was a scarce Boucher “Polly-Wog” speedboat. In bright lime green with bold yellow lettering, aluminum bow, and spirit fired steam engine, it sold within its $4,500-5,500 for $5,175. And large Bing ocean liner with elaborate decking and detailing brought $3,450 against a $3,000-4,000 estimate.

Back on land were selections of early American tin toys hailing from a private New England collection. Included was a wonderful and rare horse drawn Ives clockwork carriage being pulled by a single horse. Affixed with the typical clothed wooden bodied with mask faced driver who would spur the pony on with his whip, it featured a mechanism that would rock the horse in a galloping motion. The action of this delightful toy apparently warranted more than its $4,750-5,250 estimate to finish up at $10,350. A marvelous Hull & Stafford balance toy with a full bodied horse perched between two spoke wheels featured a heavy counterweight that would keep him upright as the toy rolled along the floor. A true rarity to find a balance toy in this size, sold for $5,175, more than doubling the low end of its $2,500-3,500 estimate. A rare Bergmann 3-figure platform pull toy with a trainer leading two horses found action beyond its $2,000-3,000 estimate to finish up at $4,887.

Exceptional clockwork toys included a rare Bing limousine in the finest condition one could hope to find. Polychrome in reds and burgundies, it sold for $4,312 while a scarce toy by Moko/Charles Rissman depicting four policemen in an open touring car sold for $2,760.

Non-automotive clockwork toys included a rare Ives piece known as “The Pugilists” that depicted two men engaged in a boxing match. It sold within its $4,000-6,000 estimate for $4,312. And a wonderful stencil painted Ives preacher clockwork toy depicting a zealous man of the cloth with bulging eyes pounding on his podium while delivering the good word sold for $3,737 against an estimate of $3,000-5,000. The cavalcade of toys continued with some highly sought after selections by Schoenhut. An unusual grouping of rare jointed black figures from the Teddy Roosevelt Safari series included several native chiefs and drummers, many of which sold for between $3,450 and $4,025 against estimates of $3,300-3,500 apiece. And an exceptional 24” early Steiff Teddy bear in absolutely stunning all-original condition was the find of a lifetime. With only the slightest of forgivable repairs to his ankle, his full coat showed virtually no fur loss. Once again condition is king, helping to bring the final selling price to $9,775, above his $3,000-4,000 estimate.

A selection of cast iron included a rare French made figural still bank of the early “pie-eyed” Mickey Mouse that sold near the top end of its $2,500-4,500 estimate for $4,312. And a semi-mechanical bank in the form of a lighthouse on a rocky outcropping went out at $2,185 (est. $1,100-1,500).

Another unusual piece that doesn’t hit the market everyday is a rare candy container in the form of a kaleidoscope. Of tin and glass construction, it would use the candy inside to create amusing visuals for the consumer. Julia’s has handled precious few of these rarities, but never one retaining its original box. It found its sweet spot above its $8,000-12,000 estimate to sell for $13,800.

This auction also contained one of the best and most diverse selections of quality dolls Julia’s has had the pleasure of offering in many years. Running the gamut of genres and materials, bidders were impressed by the selection. From one of the earliest periods came a rare 24” English wooden doll from the 1700s. With a stately countenance, piercing glass eyes along with delicately carved hands and shapely jointed wooden body she neared the midpoint of her $30,000-40,000 estimate to finish up at $34,500.

Jumping ahead by a century to the heyday of top shelf dolls was a marvelous offering of fine bisque French and German examples, which also saw strong bidding. Highlights included a rare cabinet size 13” Bru Jne 2. With piercing blue threaded paperweight eyes, closed mouth, and delicate bisque forearms, she went out at $25,300, more than doubling the bottom end of her $12,000-15,000 estimate. On the other side of the size scale was a rare and large 34” Bebe Mothereau. Coming from a Midwest collection, she featured deep blue paperweight eyes and fine modeling. Expected to bring $17,500-22,500, she ultimately sold for $18,975. A 25” Long Face Jumeau with the trademark sublime expression and gorgeous coloring sold for $13,225 against a presale estimate of $7,000-9,000. And a rare 25” Jumeau E J A 10 Bebe finished up at $12,075 versus expectations of $8,000-10,000.

Rare and desirable German characters included a stunning 17” Bruno Schmitt “Wendy”. With her pouty expression and all original garb, she sold for $17,250 against an estimate of $14,000-18,000. A rare 16” Hertel & Schwab 163 “Campbell Kid” googly inspires smiles wherever he goes. With his sideglancing eyes and pleasing grin, his charm helped find him a buyer at $6,900, selling within his $6,000-8,000 estimate.

A variety of fashion dolls included a 17” fully articulated wooden body Bru smiling fashion with pale bisque that found favor at $7,475 nearing the upper end of its $6,000-8,000 estimate. An unusual unmarked French fashion portrait doll with bulging blue paperweight eyes and delicate bisque forearms sold for $4,600 against expectations of $3,000-5,000. And a lovely, all-original Jumeau domed automaton depicting an elaborately costumed maiden with her fan and lorgnette was ready for a night at the opera. Her day at the auction yielded her $6,325, just above her estimate of $4,000-6,000.

A selection of dollhouses and accessories included a two story Christian Hacker mansard roof example with terrific presence. Its interior having one large room upstairs and two smaller rooms below, it went out at $4,600 within its expected range of $4,000-6,000. An early English two story Silber & Fleming townhouse with an assortment of Biedermeier furniture within sold for $4,140 against an estimate of $1,500-2,500. And a replica of an early South Jersey home by Heston Higgenbothom, circa 1890, had tons of charm that brought it to $2,357 over an estimate of $500-1,000.

Other highlights included an extremely scarce Lenci female boudoir doll in the form of an equestrian. With her checkered leggings, knee high boots, and riding crop, she hit the homestretch with bids to $5,750, well above her estimate of $1,000-1,500. And a rare Door of Hope Kindergarten Child in outstanding condition sold for $4,600 against expectations of $1,500-2,500.

The auction continued with a large and varied grouping of quality antique advertising items. Included were numerous pieces that seldom hit the marketplace. Two such examples were a pair of rare Mettlach syrup dispensers for Hires Root Beer. These all-original towering urns feature the renowned “Ugly Kid” emblazoned on the sides, touting the luscious and pure qualities of “America’s Health Drink”. Complete with their acorn finial lids, the auction included both the blue and green versions. Estimated for $22,500-25,000 apiece, they sold for $39,675 and $31,625, respectively. Helping to complement one’s soda fountain collection but not overwhelm it was an outstanding turn of the century onyx and marble fountain front by John Matthews. Its elaborate gothic inspired silver plated elements along with its fairly manageable size found favor with several bidders. Expected to bring $2,500-4,500, it went out at $5,462.

Non-soda advertising was also a hit with such eye catching pieces as a stone litho paper poster for Kickapoo Indian Remedies. This colorful advertisement featured a great image of a native princess and boasted tremendous graphic appeal. It saw eager bidding well beyond its $5,500-7,500 estimate to land at $26,450. Complementing this piece was a reverse on glass sign for the same product highlighted by a lithographed central medallion with a bust image of the native. This piece went out at $8,050 above its $2,500-4,500 estimate. This was followed by a rare reverse on glass sign for Soapine laundry products that featured an unusual hand painted image of a sailor washing a beached whale. A terrific piece, it likewise exceeded its expectations, selling for $6,900 against an estimate of $2,500-4,500. A rare pierced tin advertising lantern with reverse on glass advertising panels for None Such soup and mincemeat sold above its $2,500-3,500 estimate to bring $6,900.

Salesman samples, always a popular advertising collectible that Julia’s specializes in included an outstanding wood and brass Oliver chilled plow. Affixed with a reversible blade tip for added versatility, it came fresh to the market in untouched condition with an estimate of $3,000-5,000. It sold for $8,625. Consigned by the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the proceeds of which are to benefit the museum. Other salesman samples included a miniature walk behind cotton planter. The wheeled drum, affixed with a plow in front was nicely embossed with the company’s information. Appealing to many of the same collectors was a selection of U.S. Patent models which also related to agricultural pursuits. In the late 1800s to early 1900s, inventors were required to submit a miniature version of their inventions to receive a patent. Now, more than a century later they have become extremely collectable. A patent model for a horse hay rake with its original patent tag was one such example. Bidders attending the auction in person as well as those on the phone and at their computers clearly felt it was worth more than its $500-1,000 presale estimate to bring it to $5,462. Likewise selling for $5,462 (and well above its pre-auction estimate) was a sulky plow from 1879 identified to P.L. Case. It also was complete with its original patent tag. And a patent model for a mechanical marvel known as the horse power converted animal power to usable power elsewhere by means of a complex series of gears. It changed hands at $4,887 against expectations of $1,200-1,800.

The sale was rounded out by a variety of coin-operated arcade, gambling, and music machines for one’s game room. Two different companies’ take on the same product, the Buckley Bones and the Bally Reliance dice games were both included in this sale. These perennial favorites in marvelously restored condition went out at $13,800 and $12,650, each within their respective estimates. An exceptional all-original Mills Brownie color wheel slot machine with token payout included a bevy of original tokens and coin bag. An unusual feature besides the token payout was the dial which had paper playing cards with payouts pasted over the normal colors. It went out at $9,775 against an estimate of $7,000-9,000. Also up for bid from the same collection was a Sun Manufacturing Co. bicycle game trade stimulator that sold for $9,200 against a $5,500-6,500 estimate. Other highlights included an early cast iron clamshell mutoscope coin-op flip show viewer with an original “Felix the Cat” reel bundle that exceeded expectations of $1,000-1,500 to sell for $5,175. And an Official sweepstakes horserace game with great action and eye appeal sold for an amazing $4,600 against a presale estimate of $1,800-2,200.

Crossing over various collector lines was a rare coin-operated Regina style 17A 12-1/4” disc playing music box that had the added feature of a gum vendor. A joy to see and hear, this prize sold for $9,775 against an estimate of $9,000-11,000. Other coin-op music included a scarce Regina Hexaphone. As the name suggests, it plays up to six interchangeable wax cylinder records. Set with a large internal wood horn, this precursor to the popular jukebox by a few decades sold for $8,625 versus its $6,000-10,000 estimate. A lovely Regina tabletop disc playing music box with two double hinged top doors was another rare item. Known as “the casket model” for obvious reasons, it likewise found a buyer within estimate at $8,625. And a coin-operated German Komet 20” disc playing music box with elaborate decorations, carving, and turned columns sold just above its $2,500-4,500 estimate for $4,600.

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.