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Success Across the Board at Skinner Toy & Doll Auction
BOLTON, Mass. – Skinner, Inc., a leading full-service auctioneer and
appraiser of antiques and fine art, held an auction of Toys, Dolls, and Collectibles
on July 21, 2001 at its Bolton gallery. A diverse sale marked by some very strong
prices, the auction offered nearly 600 lots, including approximately 50 lots
of advertising and ephemera, 250 lots of trains, banks, and other toys, and
300 dolls, doll house accessories, and stuffed animals. The doll portion of
the sale proved particularly strong, grossing nearly $200,000, and selling almost
90 percent of the lots.
The top-selling doll was a Figure C Jules Steiner bebe from the original family
that soared to $10,350, smiling through a century of accumulated attic dust
to have her rarity and value well appreciated. A strong showing was also felt
in the doll real estate market, as a Tynie Toy doll house from the home of its
original owner sold unfurnished for $17,250, eliciting the observation from
several people that their first real house was bought for less. The original
furnishings were rich in Tynie Toy pieces as well, as the owner had been a child
in Providence, Rhode Island where the house and furniture were produced in the
1920s. Two lots of furniture, one including a doll family, realized $2,070 and
$2,990 respectively.
A fine assortment of handmade and commercially manufactured primitive cloth
dolls and accessories were offered, and attracted interest from both doll collectors
and collectors of Americana. A black handmade stockinette lady fetched $2,300,
while a very well-loved Izannah Walker with excellent painting to her long sausage
curls elicited strong bidding competition before closing at $3,105, despite
substantial wear elsewhere and the loss of arms and feet. "Izannah Walker dolls
made prior to 1873, like this one, with curls in front of the ears and on the
nape of the neck, are consistently the most desirable," according to Skinner
specialist Dorothy McGonagle.
Highlighting the French dolls, a Bru bisque swivel head lady doll with wardrobe
brought $5,462.50, a Bru smiler bisque swivel head lady doll $3,335, and a Bisque
swivel head lady doll $2,530. German bisque dolls remained steady with examples
by Kestner and Simon Halbig showing the strongest prices. A very large early
20th century Kestner Hilda character baby sold for $3,860, a fine
Kestner 143 character doll closed at $1,265, while an 8-inch example brought
$862.50. Three small all-bisque googly-eyed dolls with impish watermelon mouths
each brought $862.50.
A fine group of Steiff teddy bears and soft toys also was offered. Leading
the selection was a 20-inch white Steiff teddy bear from pre-1910. Obviously
treasured within the original family from which he was sold, he brought a solid
$12,650, despite early repairs to the ankle. In addition to a large selection
of animals, a charming pair of 10-inch Steiff school children sold for $1,610.
Topping the selection of toys was an Ives Boy on Velocipede from the 1870s
that garnered $17,250. "This velocipede was a really unusual find. It was from
a family estate, and in good, original condition," noted department director
George Glastris. The selection of trains featured a group of Marklin offerings,
all found in an attic, led by an H.J. Heinz Co. Box Car that sold for $6,037.50,
a Gauge I Congressional Limited Parlor Car that realized $5,462.50, a No. 2047
Goods Station that reached $4,600, and a Gauge I Bridge that went for $2,070.
The auction also featured a fine selection of 19th century toys.
"It’s very difficult to find toys from the 19th century in good,
clean condition," said Glastris. "Skinner toy auctions over the years have seen
a lot of interest in toys from this era, and we make every effort to offer the
highest quality possible." Highlights included a wood Union Pacific Floor Train
with Panama locomotive and two dumping cars that brought $2,875, a Little Pet
No. 50 Steam Launch that reached $3,105, and a Mother Hubbard’s Nest of Blocks
by McLoughlin Bros. that sold for $2,875. Banks included a Dentist mechanical
bank by Stevens that sold for $5,462.50, a Mason Bank by Shepard Hardware that
went for $4,600, and a Darktown Battery Mechanical Bank by Stevens that fetched
$3,737.50. Additional offerings included several late 19th/early
20th century games and toys by Parker Brothers from an old family
collection, loaned to the company for exhibit until the business closed. Examples
included "Sunny Monday Washing Set" that garnered $402.50, "The Amusing Game
of Kilkenny Cats" that sold for $316.25, and "Our Pets Picture Blocks" that
reached $201.25.
Highlighting the auction’s advertising and ephemera was a large lot of Poland
Springs related items that sold for $3,335. A pair of General Tom Thumb Route
Books owned by Thumb’s road manager realized $1,092.50, and a group of printed
store displays for Welch’s Grape Juice $862.50.
Prices realized at the auction are available at www.skinnerinc.com.
Skinner’s next auction of Toys, Dolls & Collectibles will be held on December
15, 2001. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or fax 978-779-5144.
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