The second auction featuring a portion of a large antique toy collection owned by an Allentown man will feature even more German-made classics, some dating back almost 125 years.
About 300 additional toys from Tom Sage Sr.’s collection will be up for auction Oct. 30 at Morphy Auctions near Denver, Lancaster County. The event is scheduled to coincide with the antique toy show Nov. 1 at the Allentown Fairgrounds.
The first auction was held in May with about 300 pieces selling for more than $2.6 million. A 1904 Marklin Ferris led the way, going for $156,000.
“The robust sale total was a validation of the visionary toy dealer’s discerning eye for quality and keen foresight in securing the finest examples of early toys at a time when no one could have predicted how their worth would escalate,” Morphy said in a news release.
The antiques auction house added that many were wondering what would be available in the fall.
“If the top dozen or so lots in the October session are any indication, collectors of early transportation toys are going to be thrilled,” Morphy said, “because amongst the autos, trains, fire toys and boats are some of the finest and most obscure Marklin productions.
“In his quest for the rare and the ultra-mint, Sage tracked down many pieces that were known to be either the only known example or one of very few to have survived. Some of the very best from that select category were intentionally set aside for the October 30 sale.”
Sage died in November at 85. His obituary said he was a world-renowned antiques dealer.
“He started collecting Lionel trains in the 1960s and could be found helping his daughter at the Hobby Corner in Allentown during the busy Christmas season,” according to the obituary. “His collection grew as he moved on from trains to tin toys, mechanical banks and boats. He had an eye for the finest things and only kept an item if it was in excellent condition.”
An Allentown High School graduate, Sage worked in sales at Kay Jewelers, Allentown Chrysler Plymouth and Brown Daub dealerships in Easton. He was a world traveler, making several trips to Europe and Asia.
Some of the top items up for bid in this round include:
Marklin functional live-steam-powered fire truck
The 18-inch toy retains its original hose reels and hoses, as well as four period firefighter figures and three more that are contemporary. Its brass boiler has all of its original fittings and is considered to be in excellent to near-mint condition.
Pre-sale estimate: $150,000-$250,000.
Marklin hand-crank carousel
The trompe-l’oeil canopy is hand-painted to simulate cloth, and it retains all of its original figures, horses and gondolas with original paint. The music box hand-crank section has been replaced.
Pre-sale estimate: $20,000-$40,000.
Carette clockwork limousine
The circa 1909-1912 toy has a hand-painted finish in a scarce maroon color, and is accompanied by its original box. It retains its original tires, headlamps and beveled glass windows and it has a period driver figure and three female passengers. In near-mint to mint condition.
Pre-sale estimate: $30,000-$40,000.
Marklin clockwork limousine
It is hand-painted in a warm chocolate-brown shade with mustard pinstriping and orange-framed windows, and was manufactured around 1914. It has its original tires and headlamp, and although lacking its rear glass, it earns the grade of excellent.
Pre-sale estimate: $7,000-$10,000.
Gunthermann racer
The tin wind-up Gordon Bennett coupe is especially rare due to its length. At 12 inches, it represents the largest of several sizes of this model. It is decorated with a green clover leaf on its front and is marked with the number 5 in gilt, as well as SG on the back.
Pre-sale estimate: $15,000-$25,000.
Marklin 4-stack clockwork ‘George Washington’ ocean liner
This 36-inch-long piece is assessed as excellent and could possibly attain a higher grade if professionally cleaned.
Pre-sale estimate: $60,000-$80,000.
Rock & Graner 27-inch clockwork side-wheeler
Its side wheels were restored and the flag is a replacement, but the hull is otherwise in excellent original condition.
Pre-sale estimate: $7,000-$9,000.
Marklin hand-painted III-gauge live steam LNWR locomotive
The circa 1904 tender and dining car retains three original III-gauge figures inside the coach and is in overall excellent condition for a live steam train.
Pre-sale estimate: $50,000-$70,000.
Marklin hand-painted Budweiser “King Of All Bottled Beers” refrigerator train car
Made sometime 1906-08, this highly detailed car comes with a Marklin freight car box (lacks lid) and is graded near-mint to mint with zero signs of use.
Pre-sale estimate: $12,000-$18,000.
Carpenter three-piece locomotive set
In near-mint to mint condition with two original cast-iron figures, its original factory wood box has a red pictorial paper label identifying the toy as “Carpenter’s Iron Passenger Train, No. 21,” with the additional notation “With Puffing Locomotive.”
Pre-sale estimate: $3,000-$5,000.
Voltamp II-gauge interurban trolley
Measuring 20 inches long, it is finished in apple-green paint accented by gilt details and lettering.
Pre-sale estimate of $12,000-$15,000.
Thinking of placing a bid?
The Oct. 30 auction will be held at 9 a.m. at Morphy’s gallery, 2000 N. Reading Road (Route 272), Denver, Pa. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone and live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For condition inquiries, to leave an absentee bid, or to reserve a line for phone bidding, call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com.
