Tin Toys

Possibly the widest of toy diversity, tin toy collecting spans many fields of interest. American, European and Japanese tin toys form the nucleus of the any eclectic categories from Autos to Robots and everything in between. While Louis Marx of America was once considered the largest toy manufacture in the world, every country has placed its own toy mark for collectors today. The German and French cars, the Japanese Robots and celluloid toys, and the American comic character onslaught, the field is wide open, and the enthusiasm is enormous.

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Past Prices Realized

Luxury Tin Limousine

Believed to be the largest produced Limousine ever made and regarded by the world’s most advanced collectors as a true masterpiece of a toy, this Hispania limousine was a top highlight of the Kaufman Collection. Est. $50,000 – $60,000

Price Realized ($80,050)

Gnome on egg penny toy

Meier, colorful lithographed tin, depicts gnome riding decorated egg, when plunger is pressed a bunny appears from under the egg. Est. $500 – $600

Price Realized ($4,720)

European Motorcycle with Driver

The detail is exceedingly superb matching its overall design, this twin cylinder model cycle with full tin seated figure depicted in goggles and hooded uniform was the top motorcycle lot in our March 2009 sale. Est. $12,000 – $14,000

Price Realized ($23,000)

Lehmann Ski Rolf

A scarce example with an even rarer box, lithographed tin figure depicted in blue suit with white cap, stands on yellow skis with ski poles in hands from the September 2014 sale. Est. $8,000 – $10,000

Price Realized ($20,060)

Mary and her Lambs Pull Toy

A wonderful, visually appealing American tin toy by Althof Bergmann, this Hegarty to Berry collection pull toy was offered in pristine condition in November 2014. Est. $6,500 – $7,500

Price Realized ($33,000)

Autos and Airplane Runabout

Four open tourer penny toys with seated drivers, and four silver painted mono-coupes, all able to circle tall tower with canopy when clockwork activated makes this toy a great addition to the shelves. Est. $3,500 – $4,000

Price Realized ($5,750)

Lehmann Coco

A very rare find, the Lehmann Coco with box is a widely sought after toy, as shown by the sales price in the March 2014 auction. Est. $1,500 – $1,800

Price Realized ($8,850)

Marklin Riverboat

A colorful and smaller Marklin boat from the Dick Claus auction in May 2012 proved to have the charm needed to establish a commanding price. Est. $8,000 – $9,000

Price Realized ($28,175)

Lehmann Baker Chimney Sweep

A turn of the century Lehmann toy with unbelievable motion and action was a big hit at the November 2013 event. Est. $3,000 – $4,000

Price Realized ($8,260)

Marx Spic and Span

Possibly a record price, this Marx toy is the hardest to find toy from the company, featured with box in near mint condition at our April 2010 auction. Est. $1,500 – $2,000

Price Realized ($8,050)

George Brown Paddle Wheeler

Size is not everything, this early American tin piece by George Brown made up for its 6.5 inch length by more than doubling its estimation in the September 2012 sale of Paul Ingersolls Collection. Est. $2,000 – $3,500

Price Realized ($8,850)

Marklin Farman Bi-Plane

Featured in the 1910 Marklin catalog, this bi-wing airplane is undoubtedly a rare find in any condition, featured in the September 2012 Ingersoll Auction. Est. $12,000 – $15,000

Price Realized ($16,520)

Martin Washer Woman

As clean as they come, this Martin washer woman was sold in our March 2014 auction. Est. $1,200 – $1,500

Price Realized ($6,490)

Father Christmas Penny Toy

The holy grail for penny toy collectors, the father of Christmas is by far the most sought after tin penny toy, from the Berry Collection November 2014. Est. $4,000 – $5,000

Price Realized ($6,000)

Lehmann Luna

An early Lehman toy widely sought after by collectors of all levels, the boxed Luna in the September sale rose to a commanding price. Est. $800 – $1,000

Price Realized ($7,670)

Carette Limousine

Near mint is hard to find for any antique toy, especially an auto, but this Kaufman Collection piece had the even rarer original box to attest to its preservation. Est. $15,000 – $18,000

Price Realized ($32,200)

DOUGLASS SEAPLANE

From Kuramochi, Japan, this lithographed tin sea-airplane is painted in bright blue with red and yellow highlights from our September 2010 sale. Est. $1,200 – $1,500

Price Realized ($12,650)

MARKLIN LIVE STEAM FIRE TRUCK

Considered by every book catalog the finest in Marklin’s range of toy perfection. It is a stunning masterpiece in overall detail, from bright hand painted open frame with exposed boiler, the top automotive lot in the Kaufman collection from September 2009. Est. $40,000 – $50,000

Price Realized ($149,500)

DEEP SEA DIVER

This very rare lithographed toy depicts a suited diver with propeller blades and an internal clockwork drive, a rarely seen toy which surfaced for our March 2012 sale. Est. $1,200 – $1,500

Price Realized ($5,750)

MARX ARMY STAFF COUPE

With great overall graphics to body, seated soldier holds gun peering from window, and an original box, this Marx toy far surpassed estimation of $1,500 – $2,000 in our September 2009

Price Realized ($3,738)

GRAY DUNN’S RACER BISCUIT TIN

An extremely rare biscuit tin example, this piece had bright lithography overall and advert appears on streamlined rear, from the Kaufman collection. Est. $8,000 – $10,000

Price Realized ($23,000)

LEHMANN PRIMUS ROLLER SKATER

Germany, c.1915, a very rare clockwork Lehmann example with action involving an almost swaying of the legs, simulating a fine skating action, from our May 2013 sale. Est. $7,000 – $9,000

Price Realized ($14,160)

MARKLIN FIDELITAS CLOWN CAR TRAIN

This extraordinary circa 1909 toy depiction of a clown train car combination features seated clowns with varied props in hands, a highlight toy for any collector. Es.t $30,000 – $40,000

Price Realized ($103,500)

PRE-WAR JAPANESE SANTA CAR

C.K., Japan, possibly only known example, lithographed tin with extensive body graphics depicting children, toys, and Christmas tree at trunk, wind-up action and seated Santa from our November 2013 sale. Est. $10,000 – $12,000

Price Realized ($37,760)

EIGHT MAN SCULL WITH COXSWAIN

An exceptionally detailed toy with the same synchronized rowing action as the real racing skull, the largest of the Gunthermann series at 29 inches from the Dick Claus Collection. Est. $10,000 – $12,000

Price Realized ($32,220)

GUNTHERMANN LARGE GORDON BENNETT RACING CAR

The largest in famed series, depicts two drivers crouched in racing pose, clockwork mechanism and bellows sounds, chain drive on side shows exacting detail to produce a true quality toy racer, a nice piece from the Kaufman auction. Est. $15,000 – $20,000

Price Realized ($26,450)

Copyright @ 2024 Bertoia Auctions

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