Doll rescued from trash earns $14,220
An exciting selection of antique advertising, toys and dolls, from various private East Coast collections, including an Izannah Walker cloth doll that was rescued from the trash, made for an exceptional sale at James D. Julia.
FAIRFIELD, Maine — Praised as one of the fresher and more diverse offerings of quality antique advertising, toys and dolls to come to market in 2013, James D. Julia’s Nov. 22 sale didn’t disappoint, with strong prices to match the strong offering.
Some of the highlights that helped comprise the sale came from a Connecticut collection — a collection of paper litho, Victorian-era toys and parlor game treasures that was amassed over a 40-year period.
Of particular note was an early American firehouse and horse-drawn pumper, believed to be one of only two complete examples and a collaboration between Merriam and Reed, that went out at $9,720.
Another rarity was the Salem Witch toy by Charles Ford, manufactured by E. Trask. The toy depicted a 17th century woman in drab period garb standing beside and pointing to a numbered spinning drum that corresponded to dark ominous fortunes that were lithographed around the perimeter. Complete with its original wooden box, this outstanding 19th century toy sold for $7,593.
Toys from other collections included a variety of early American tin. Highlights included a fine George Brown clockwork locomotive with great stenciling and pinstripes, as well as an unusual style tin boiler front. It went out at $2,370.
A George Brown paddlewheel boat stenciled “Crescent” across the sides in untouched, all original condition earned $4,740.
Other rarities included an American clockwork toy attributed to Automatic Toy Works that featured a china head girl skipping rope next to a japanned tin pillar that housed the motor. It fetched $4,252. A large clockwork papier-mache mother rabbit holding her baby in her arms while feeding it a carrot was likely an Easter display for a store. Set with a nodding mechanism, it climbed to $2,666.
Toys of a different variety included a handful of trains, such as a rare early Marklin American outline 2-gauge clockwork engine and tender. Consigned from a New England general line collection, it had been buried in an attic for more than 50 years and had layers of dirt and dust to prove it. It finished at $9,480.
Changing gears, the auction continued with a select grouping of top shelf dolls consisting of fine bisque French and German character examples, among others. One example was an early Izannah Walker cloth doll that was saved from a trash heap more than 20 years ago by a late Rhode Island woman with a keen eye who thought the doll needed a little love. It sold for $14,220.
Highlights in the French doll arena included a 16-inch Bru Jne 4 bebe. With blue threaded paperweight eyes, protruding upper lip and prominent tongue tip, the doll settled at $21,870.
Salesman samples included more than 200 examples covering agricultural and farming pursuits, railroad, construction, business, household goods and more. One such example was a Maine-made snow plow for the C.L. Huntington Company of Guilford. Consigned by the great-grandson of the very model maker himself, it had working levers and gears to adjust the height and breadth of the plow blades. It went to a Midwest collector for $4,443.
A mower/reaper with its original carrying case featuring brass works, finished wood and other impressive details went out at $10,665.
Julia’s upcoming sales include a winter antiques, fine art and Chinese artifacts auction in January and a firearms and military memorabilia auction in March.
For more information or to place offers on unsold items, visit www.jamesdjulia.com or contact 207-453-7125 or info@jamesdjulia.com.
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