Clockwork 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.

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Past Prices Realized

Popeye Olive Oyl Jiggers

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 ($4,600)

Marklin Chicago Paddle Wheeler

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 ($264,500)

Ives Rocking Horse

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 ($39,100)

Bing Four Seat Tourer

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 ($59,800)

Distler Hurdy Gurdy

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

Price Realized ($19,550)

Fischer Father Christmas

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 ($39,100)

Martin Parisian Gentleman

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 ($5,900)

Lehmann Masuyama

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 ($6,900)

Marklin Open Tourer

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 ($57,500))

Marklin New York Battleship

At 35inches, this impressive German battleship sailed to a new owner at the Dick Claus auction November 2012. Est. $65,000 – $75,000

Price Realized ($161,000)

Gunthermann Landaulette

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

Price Realized ($23,600)

Marklin Zeppelin

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 ($21,850)

TippCo Mickey Cycle

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

Price Realized ($56,050)

Lehmann Lo and Li

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 ($14,340)

Hans Eberl Van

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 ($11,500)

Chrysler Imperial

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 ($25,960)

Ives Perambulator

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 ($11,500)

Hans Eberl Racer

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 ($11,210)

Martin Carpenter

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 ($9,775)

Marx Butter and Eggman

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 ($2,242)

Gunthermann Phaeton

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 ($62,100)

Carette Limousine

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 ($39,100)

Revolving Horse Drawn

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 ($8,850)

MK Cycle with Sidecar

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

Price Realized ($10,620)

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