Clockwork (Wind-Up) Toys
The ingenuity of early toy makers is revealed quite amazingly with the incredible clockwork actions allowed in their many designs. An absolutely brilliant use of clockwork gears as used by watch makers gave a new intensity and rise to the popularity of today’s prized toy examples.
Past Prices Realized
Price Realized ($4,600)
The popular duo, Popeye and Olive Oyl Jiggers with box sold at the fourth Kaufman auction in September 2010. Est. $1,200 – $1,500
Price Realized ($264,500)
This circa 1900 clockwork paddle wheeler set a world record for highest priced toy ship ever sold at auction. A true masterpiece of German craftsmanship. From the Dick Claus Collection November 2012. Est. $200,000 – $250,000
Price Realized ($39,100)
An extremely rare Ives rocking horse in fantastic condition featured in our November 2011 auction, headlining the early American tin toys. Est. $6,000 – $8,000
Price Realized ($59,800)
This is one of the earliest and certainly most elegant in Bings line of touring cars, this pristine condition auto sold in the second Donald Kaufman auction in September 2011. Est. $18,000 – $22,000
Price Realized ($19,550)
This Distler Hurdy Gurdy organ grinder toy with rare box may be the best example known, offered in the third Kaufman auction, April 2010. Est. $10,000 – $12,000
Prices Realized ($39,100)
An extremely rare Fischer auto featuring a tin lithograph Santa Claus was a delight to handle in the March 2009 auction. Est. $12,000 – $15,000
Price Realized ($5,900)
A rather scarce figure by the poplar French manufacturer Ferdinand Martin, this fancy gentleman was in attendance at our May 2013 auction. Est. $2,500 – $3,500
Price Realized ($6,900)
The German company Lehmann has always made creative and whimsical toys, collectors turned up in attendance at our June 2011 sale to bid this one more than four times the estimate. Est. $1,500 – $1,700
Price Realized ($57,500)
This circa 1905 Marklin Tourer is a fine example of early autos and the epitome of toy making, sold in the September 2009 auction for twice its estimate. Est. $25,000 – $35,000
Price Realized ($161,000)
At 35inches, this impressive German battleship sailed to a new owner at the Dick Claus auction November 2012. Est. $65,000 – $75,000
Prices Realized ($23,600)
Extrodinarily rare in any condition and any color variation, this Gunthermann auto with passengers was a highlight of the November 2013 auction. Est. $10,000 – $12,000
Prices Realized ($21,850)
Largest of the zeppelin series by Marklin, this 17 inch length piece in excellent original condition flew past the estimations at the May 2012 sale. Est. $8,000 – $10,000
Price Realized ($56,050)
Considered the holy grail of the motorcycle toys in existence, the Mickey and Minnie Mouse riding motorcycle is both large and colorful. Featured in the November 2013 auction, the cycle proved its position as the most sought after comic toy. Est. $25,000 – $28,000
Prices Realized ($15,340)
A comical and colorful toy, this Lehmann Lo and Li was sold in the November 2013 auction in absolutely phenomenal condition. Est. $6,000 – $8,000
Price Realized ($11,500)
Circa 1920s Han Eberl delivery truck adverisiting the Kaufmanns department store, toy from the Kaufman collection which had nearly every toy under the sun. Est.$4,000 – $5,000
Price Realized ($25,960)
One of the rarest toys in all of the tin toy auto line, the Japanese Asahi Toys Chryseler Imperial from the November 2013 auction was as good as it gets. Est. $8,000 – $10,000
Price Realized ($11,500)
A clearly designed Ives toy, circa 1875, this perambulator in excellent condition was offered in our November 2011 sale. Est. $7,500 – $8,500
Price Realized ($11,210)
In a rarity versus condition match up, rarity drove to bidders to fight for this Hans Eberl open racer significantly higher than the estimated price. Est. $600 – $750
Price Realized ($9,775)
A rare French toy by Ferdinand Martin was offered in our September 2011 auction, nearly quadrupling the high estimation. Est. $2,000 – $2,500
Price Realized ($2,242)
A scarce and desirable comic character addition to any collection, this Marx toy soured to a strong finish at our March 2014 auction. Est. $600 – $750
Price Realized ($62,100)
This extremely rare example is seldom seen, a fantastic example of a Gunthermann auto with original passengers from the Donald Kaufman auctions. $20,000 – $25,000
Price Realized ($39,100)
German luxury automobiles at its best, known as the finest example of its type, this Kaufman Collection auto surpassed our greatest expectations. Est.$18,000 – $23,000
Price Realized ($8,850)
Surpassing expectations, this toy believed to be by Altof Bergman was a tin highlight in the March 2014 auction. Est. $3,000 – $3,500
Price Realized ($10,620)
A scarce and desirable example of the German manufacturer M&Ks motorcycle with sidecar and rider was buzzing at our May 2014 auction. Est. $5,000 – $7,000