Date: Fri 08-May-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

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Bertoia

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Bertoia Postsale

w/CUTS DSS

By Dick Friz

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. - For toy people seeking to feast on a steady diet of

superlative, top shelf entrees, Bill Bertoia's sale of the Trova and Thurow

collections provided the ultimate buffet at the Philadelphia Airport Westin

Suites on March 20 and 21.

Two collections from the Heartland -- those of Ernest Trova of St Louis and

Bob Thurow of Hampshire, Illinois -- arrived on the auction block by way of

widely divergent collecting philosophies. Consignors Bob and Pat Thurow began

collecting cast-iron autos, trucks, airplanes, motorcycles, construction and

farm toys in the early 1970s. Obviously, they had access to sources who plied

them with salesmen's samples and boxed, unplayed-with, limited issue toys that

were to seldom surface on the market again.

Although a familiar presence at countless auctions and shows over the years,

the size and scope of the collection was a well kept secret. Thurow treasures,

primarily by Vindex and Arcade, were safely stashed away and it was only at

Bertoia's preview sessions that collectors, and perhaps even Thurow himself,

would see them unveiled in totality.

Conversely Ernie Trova, an eminent sculptor, spent the last 30 years

selectively acquiring Disney Comic and Character toys in every possible medium

-- celluloid, bisque, composition, litho tin, cast-iron, wood, plastic and

paper. Trova had an unerring eye for design, flair and form. Like most

old-time collectors before "mint mania" set in, he tended to be less fixated

with a toy's condition. His vast collection, openly displayed in his home, was

featured in a 1970s Life Magazine cover story. Many observers feel this

exposure helped propel Disneyana to a new dimension.

The synergy of these two premier collections rang up $1.5 million for

Bertoia's and marked at least the dozenth time over the past seven years the

auction house reached the magic million mark.

The top five bell ringers alone combined $167,750, paced by the heavily hyped

1930s Mickey & Minnie Motorcycle tin windup by Tipp & Co, Nuremberg, which

varoomed to $60,500. Winning bidder, NYC dealer Israel Levarick, acted in

behalf of a Japanese client. The story behind the toy's rarity, is that

production halted prematurely when by Hitler edict, Mickey became strictly

verboten in Nazi Germany. Tipp, after a government take-over, soon converted

to munitions making. As with countless other German makers, Tipp never

re-opened after World War II. The Trova entry has been topped in price only by

an example with only known original box. It brought $88,000 at Christie's in

London early this year.

Considered even rarer, a Japanese Mickey in Cart pulled by Horace Horsecollar

celluloid windup, rated "mint" and with original 69 cent price tag from the

"City of Paris" pavilion at the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition in San Francisco,

sped past estimate at $30,250.

From the Thurow largess of certified dream-mobiles, an immaculate boxed red

and black 1920s Arcade Dump Truck, 11« inches with "White" in gold embossed

lettering, nickled driver and dump activating lever and dual rear rubber

tires, went full throttle to $31,900. A 1929 Vindex "Fokker" 9« inch soared to

$25,300 while a 9‹ inch silver Vindex "Lockheed" monoplane with gold embossed

letters was close on its tail at $24,200. A much admired early 12‹ inch Arcade

red Mack Tanker with sides embossed "American Gasoline" handily doubled

estimates at $19,800.

In addition to the Mickey-Horace gem, other Disney celluloids quickly erased

doubts about a "soft" market for this category. Mickey Mouse boxers packed

punch at $10,450 despite missing one of Mickey's ears; Elmer Elephant & Donald

Duck on Trapeze by Borgfeldt, Japan, made $5,280; Mickey Mouse Open Seat

Touring Auto, Japan, $2,860; Donald Whirligig, $4,400; and Donald Duck Riding

Pluto Rocker, Japan, $7,700.

Two elusive early 1930s lithographed tin Mickeys by Nifty merit mention.

Mickey Snare Drummer sold at $4,400 and Mickey Mouse Organ Grinder (aka "Hurdy

Gurdy") tuned-up at $7,350 despite a replaced arm.

As a world-class superstar, Popeye plays second banana second only to Mickey

Mouse. Trova's lineup of most coveted specimens included Popeye Drummer by

Chein. This one tripled the high estimate at $3,520. The more familiar Popeye

Patrol cast iron motorcycle by Hubley, animated bidders once again, tooling to

$4,180. Marx Popeye Flyers and the Chein Popeye Overhead puncher, provided a

one-two punch at $4,620 each. Popeye in the Rowboat, the more obscure Linemar,

Japan battery operated version, finally rested on his oars at $6,600. The

largest of the Popeyes, a 1932 Chein 11‹ inch Popeye the Heavy Hitter rang the

strength meter's bell at $5,500.

After a 1980s dealer-manipulated feeding frenzy over advertising premium rings

from the 1930s-50s, prices have long since plummeted back to reality. It came

as no surprise then, when Trova's array of over 50 rings featuring comics,

radio & TV heroes, raised few goosebumps. Notable exceptions -- a 1938 Frank

Buck Leopard Bronze ring brought $1,210 and a Buck Rogers Repeller Ray ring

beamed-in at $1,980.

Among Trova's stash of over 80 wristwatches and pocket watches from the

1930s-50s, a number though rare, proved condition impaired. A bidding

show-down climaxed at $2,200, despite color fading to the face of a 1933

Ingersoll Tom Mix pocket watch. A spiffy display holder topped by Mickey Mouse

cut-out helped propel an Ingersoll Mickey lapel pocket watch to $1,100, more

than double high estimate. Cross-over action by World's Fair collectors,

enhanced an Ingersoll wristwatch with original box and 1933 Chicago Century of

Progress decal. It sold at $880.

More than 30 robots and space fighters orbited by. Much of the bidding

excitement centered on a boxed Mechanical Robby Robot by Yonezawa at $4,400;

the colorful Lavender Robot by Modern Toys, Japan, at $4,181; and the Asakusa

Thunder Rocket with box at $6,930.

Because of the scope and diversity of Ernie Trova's trove, the March sale

showcased the more significant Comic and Disney items. Other diverting Trova

entries, including figural advertising symbols, are scheduled for a June 19,

Bertoia sale.

In the Thurow arsenal, a definite turn-on was a steady barrage of boxed

salesman's samples bearing original factory labels, displays, pricing data,

plus a dazzling palette of Crayola-bright schemes including deep blues, bright

oranges, fiery reds and ocean greens.

Don Kaufman of Massachusetts dominated the high stakes bidding. By unofficial

tally, Kaufman's winning number was called out on 17 out of 18 sterling Vindex

vehicles. In one memorable skein, he prevailed on a pale blue Pontiac roadster

with salesman's sample tag and rumble seat at $8,800; a green `29 Olds Coupe

at $4,950, an orange Sedan at $5,500; a green nickel spoked-wheeled Olds Sedan

at $6,600; and an aqua stake truck, $9,900.

Even more decisively, Don Kaufman brought closure to an elite quartet of

Vindex airplanes, three of which were pristine salesman's samples. He won a

pair of German "Fokkers," ranging from a tiny 5« inch version in red and an

orange 8¬ entry, each bringing $6,050.

Perhaps the most passionately pursued horse-drawn rig to surface at auction

within memory, a 13« in Arcade red and green side dump wagon with two black

steeds, pulled $11,000.

For information, Bill Bertoia at 609/692-4092.