| Press Contact: | Nick Hawkins, Director | Dorothy McGonagle | Catherine Riedel, Director |
| Science & Technology | Toys & Dolls | Marketing & Public Relations | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | ||
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978-779-6241 978-779-6241 |
978-779-6241 x255 |
SKINNER TO HOST TWO DAY AUCTION OF
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND TOYS & DOLLS IN BOLTON
BOLTON, Mass. – April 18, 2005 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will hold a two-day dual auction of Science & Technology and Toys and Dolls on Tuesday, May 3, and Wednesday, May 4. The sale, which will begin at 10 a.m. on each of the two days, marks the first pairing of collections from Skinner’s Science and Technology Department with those from Toys and Dolls. Featured are the Sanford Libman collection of mechanical music, the Irving Zelinka collection of toys, and property from the estate of Maurine Popp, as well as the mechanical music collection of James L. Brady, an important collection of American surveying instruments, instruments from the collections of Maxwell B. Gold and William Fitzpatrick, M.D., property of the late Brian Etches, and firefighting items from the estate of a Maine collector.
The Collection of Sanford Libman
Sandy Libman's interest in mechanical music goes back into childhood, inspired by his technical background and musical ability. Growing up in Ohio, his first experience with mechanical music was at the home of his grandmother, who had a player piano. The family spent two years in Europe, after which Sandy attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a degree in mathematics. Following graduation, he and a fellow employee at his first job turned an unused computer room into a player piano repair shop. It was in New York City that he bought his first forte-piano musical box.
The music of band organs led Sandy to the carousel hobby and a business (Sandy's Music Center) selling organ recordings. As his interest and his knowledge developed, he discovered the AMICA and MBSI, and through these organizations met many fellow collectors. He was a regular participant at annual conventions, and served the Boston Area Chapter of AMICA as Board Representative from 1980-1999.
The Toy Collection of Irving Zelinka
Irving Zelinka had few toys growing up in a tenement on Manhattan's lower East Side, but he make up for it as an adult. Irving filled his home with the toys he never had as a child: cast iron fire wagons, wooden pull toys, tin soldiers, mechanical banks, dolls, and wind-up toys of all kinds. However, it was Irving's youthful spirit and sense of fun, and not a deprived childhood, that led to his avocation. While Irving took satisfaction in acquiring new pieces, he delighted in sharing his collection with others, especially his own children, who were permitted to play with the toys whenever they liked. Irving appreciated his toys for their history and value, but mostly for the pleasure they continue to bring simply as toys. The collection has remained intact since his death in 1973.
Property from the Estate of Maurine Popp
This auction is the third and last featuring items from the estate of Maurine S. Popp. Her collections spanned many areas: dolls, clothing, accessories, rare paper dolls, ephemera, Flash Gordon and other comics, the artwork of Alex Raymond, etc. This sale brings to light her S. & J. Fuller and other early books, as well as items from her long friendship with Herbert Hosmer including the handwritten manuscript of Chicken Little, by John Chandler Greene. Additionally, the only three known hand-done prototypes of Fanny Gray, the first American commercially produced paper doll will be presented. Other fine paper dolls include a Poupee Modele and Psyche. Additional special collections include her lady's fans, a group of small early dolls, potty figures, figural trinket boxes, Flash Gordon toys, Tynietoy archival papers, and a profusion of doll accessories and clothing.
Tuesday, May 3
The two-day sale begins with Mechanical Music and Automata, including the collections of Sandy Libman and James L. Brady. Items range in size from the miniature – a tortoiseshell snuff bow with painted lid, by the “king of musical box makers” Nicole Freres – to the magnificent, a Welte Bricovia “A” orchestrion. Standing at over 7 feet, this early 20th century self-playing instrument was the equivalent of today’s top-of-the-range home entertainment system, with an almost unlimited repertoire of book music and the capacity of a small orchestra. Other highlights of the section include an early Stevens and Brown “Champion Velocipede” mechanical toy, formerly in the collection of the Duke of Bedford in England, and a group of over thirty other 19th century automata: musicians, magicians, acrobats and a menagerie of clockwork animals.
Also featured on the first day are some fine French bisque head automata including an incised Jumeau bebe with a fan, an impressive French fashion doll with a Vichy walking mechanism, and a Renou magician. A large premiere Jumeau head and shoulder plate with striking facial details and other fine French fashions will be complemented by several French bebes and smaller Tete Jumeaux. China dolls feature a Rohmer and several German ladies, including some wax and papier-maché examples. Also offered is a 17 ½-inch Heubach character girl, several Heubach pouties, and cloth dolls from Lenci, Madame Alexander and Norah Wellings.
A rare vintage life-size mechanical window display Mother Goose, created by William Wallace Denslow to advertise his new book, DENSLOW’S MOTHER GOOSE, will be offered, accompanied by a first edition of the book. Following is a collection of paper items from the estate of Maurine Popp, including valentines, trade cards, and other seasonal cards, as well as a wide assortment of paper dolls.
Also highlighting the diverse selection on the first day are Steiff and other animals, toys including cast iron and tin toys, soldiers, and an extensive Schoenhut Humpty Dumpty circus. The session closes with the toy collection of Irving Zelinka.
Wednesday, May 4
Day two of the auction, focusing entirely on Science & Technology, also draws from several important private collections, spanning over 600 lots. Of note is a significant collection of surveying and mapping instruments from rare colonial survivals – a surveyor’s table compass by John Dupee of Boston dated 1756, decorative painted-wood pieces, 18th century students’ copybooks, early 19th century brass instruments by scarce New York and Connecticut makers. Also on a navigational theme is an equinoctial ring dial by the important English maker George Adams, from the family of the original owner who brought it from England to America in 1783. Early medical instruments, patent models, firefighting memorabilia, photography, an Edison Electric Pen and an archive of Lumiere material, including early film stills, celebrating the inception of cinema in 1896, help make this an exciting auction.
Previews and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 12 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 2, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, and 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 4. Illustrated catalog #2283 is available by mail for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $26. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.