James D. Julia sells Advertising, Toy, Doll Division to Morphy’s
Morphy Auctions continues its expansion efforts, with the recent acquisition of the Advertising, Toy, Doll Division of James D. Julia. The move allows Julia’s the opportunity to grow other areas of their business, while ensuring their loyal consignors will be in good hands, explained James D. Julia.
FAIRFIELD, Maine — President James D. Julia has announced that effective immediately, he is selling the firm’s Antique Advertising, Toy & Doll Division to Dan Morphy Auctions LLC of Denver, Pa.
“For nearly 30 years, we have been a major force in the antique toy, doll and advertising world, but as of recently, we have had a couple of opportunities to sell this division. Coincidently, we were already contemplating expanding our Firearms Division and the selling of the Antique Advertising, Toy and Doll division subsequently made tremendous sense.”
“I have watched Dan’s company grow tremendously over the years; I have admired his success and always found him to be a great competitor. In my mind, Dan’s company is the leader in the world today for toys, advertising and coin-op, etc. I thus felt that my past customers would best be served by his firm.
“Another consideration I had in selling to Dan was that he would have a place or position for some of my long-term and loyal consultants. Indeed, my toy, doll and coin-op expert, Jay Lowe, will now be associated with Dan Morphy’s firm in the years to come. While selling the Antique Advertising, Toy & Doll Division to Dan makes good sense, I do so with some sadness. I have always enjoyed the field of advertising, toy and doll collectables. In fact, when I first became a dealer in the late 1960s, advertising was the first thing I collected. I am especially going to miss the great number of passionate and special collectors and dealers I have made friends with over the years,” said Julia.
For nearly 15 years, the department was headed by Andrew Truman, who during his tenure at Julia’s conducted many notable sales including the extraordinary Bob & Jackie Stewart Auction of rare cast iron toys, which established many new records. In 2010, Truman also produced the Malcolm Deisenroth Auction of rare early American tin toys. This auction was the most notable sale of American tin ever conducted and the Deisenroth’s Bergman tin Santa and sleigh set a world auction record for any toy at auction when it realized $161,000.
According to Jim Julia, “Andrew is very bright and has always been hard working. But the thing he has been most complimented for during his tenure here was how kind and pleasant he was to work with; our customers have loved him.”
Dan Morphy of Dan Morphy Auctions LLC said, “Morphy’s is excited to welcome Julia’s past consignors and clients to Dan Morphy Auctions LLC. We have long admired Julia’s sterling reputation for honesty and fair dealing with their clients, and we are looking forward to serving their clients in the future.”
The sale is effective immediately and Julia’s June 2015 auction was the last specialty Antique Advertising, Toy & Doll Auction the Julia fi rm conducted. Learn more about James D. Julia’s Auctioneers at http:// jamesdjulia.com/. Learn more about Dan Morphy Auctions LLC at www.morphyauctions.com.
