BROWSE MORPHY HEADLINE NEWS
AVAILABLE NOW
Aug. 24, 2010 Auction Catalog
50 Year Collection of Frank & Rhoda Zeager
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$10 ppd Domestic
$15 ppd International
Mail check payments to:
Morphy Auctions
2000 N. Reading Rd.
Denver, PA. 17517
UFDC Doll Convention
If you are interested in consigning or just have some questions for our doll experts, stop in to see Howard & Jan Foulke at the UFDC Doll Convention in the Sales Room at booth 26 all week (7/19/10 – 7/24/10).
Dan Morphy will also be available for questions at the Doll Convention all day Thursday, July 22, 2010 and in the evening from 7-10 p.m. at the Publishers Preview in Grand Ballroom C, North.
Morphy’s welcomes summer with a $185,000 doll auction;
Bru bébé wins favor with a top bid of $14,950
DENVER, Pa. – An early summer sale featuring 542 lots of premium-quality dolls attracted hundreds of specialist collectors to Morphy’s, in person and via the Internet, on Saturday, June 26. Bidders were excited over the prospect of buying rare and beautifully preserved dolls from two long-held collections that crossed the auction block – the estate collection of the late Sunny & Louis Reyes of Washington, D.C.; and a 30-year collection amassed by a couple from northern New England. The auction totaled $185,000, inclusive of 15% buyer’s premium, with 30% of the dolls selling to the floor and 70% to Internet, phone and absentee bidders.
“I was very pleased with the turnout,” said Morphy Auctions’ CEO, Dan Morphy. “We had over 100 bidders in the gallery throughout the day and more than 500 unique Internet bidders. Three individuals spent in excess of $10,000 apiece. During the preview there was a lot of interest in the dolls, and we heard many positive comments about the nice variety and excellent condition in both collections.”
The auction’s top lot was a beautiful 18-inch French bisque-head Bru bébé with kid body and bisque lower arms, blue paperweight eyes and blonde mohair. The doll’s ensemble consisted of a brown silk dress with caped jacket and a matching lace and ribbon-trimmed hat. Impressed with a circle and dot mark and number “6” on the back of its head, and the number “6” on its shoulder plate, the outstanding example of Bru doll artistry was bid to the midpoint of its estimate, finishing at $14,950.
Desirable dolls were available at price points to please every pocketbook. A 24-inch Gaultier French bisque poupee peau fashion lady sold for $3,160; while a 33-inch Jumeau French bisque bébé, mold 1907, achieved $2,185. A 32-inch tete Jumeau bisque bébé, size 14 with excellent K&R jointed composition body with high knee joint closed near the top of its estimate range at $1,840.
A lot comprised of two large K&W German bisque dolls – a 42-inch boy in a tuxedo-style outfit and top hat, and a shorter H. Handwerck girl with jointed composition body – nearly quadrupled its high estimate in hammering $2,300.
A very fancy 20-inch Danel French bisque bébé with curly mohair wig, jointed French composition and wood body, and brown paperweight eyes was bid to $1,725.
Dan Morphy’s Oct. 14-16 Premier Auction will be highlighted by a highly important, multi-generational doll collection from Chicago that was assembled over a 50-year period by Merle Glickman and her mother, the late Martha Cristol. The collection is noted for its many unusual examples, specialty sub-collections and prizewinners from past UFDC (United Federation of Doll Collectors) national competitions.
On July 27, 2010, Dan Morphy Auctions will conduct a Premier Toys & Antique Advertising auction featuring the Michael O’Hearn Collection.
For information on any Dan Morphy auction event, to order catalogs or to learn more about consigning to future sales, call 717-335-3435 or email dan@morphyauctions.com.
Advertising Collection of David & Marcia Hirsch
Morphy Auctions is proud to be promoting the one-of-a-kind premier Advertising collections of David Hirsch. This stellar collection places an emphasis on Tobacciana among other pristine condition antiques. These items will be auctioned on November 19-20, 2010. Check back for more…
Collection Sneak Peek:
At $151K, May 25 Discovery sale sets new benchmark
for Morphy’s popular series of one-day sales
DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy’s May 25 Discovery sale featuring two headliner collections of fine antique and vintage dolls set a new record for the popular auction series introduced two months ago. The 599-lot sale attracted more than 150 live bidders and 1,000 Internet bidders, with the final tally coming it at $151,000 (inclusive of 15% buyer’s premium).
Dolls topped the list of prices realized. A Kley & Hahn (K & H, Germany) 17-inch bisque character doll with jointed composition body, brown sleeping eyes, closed mouth and dimples was expected to sell somewhere in the $2,500-$3,500 price range. The nicely dressed example did not disappoint, reaching $3,200.
A Kestner bisque Baby Hilda 237 character doll, 16 inches tall and dressed in antique clothing, also finished within estimate, at $2,200. Another desirable bisque creation was the 20-inch Francois Gaultier (F.G.) jointed composition child doll dressed in a scarlet, puff-sleeved frock. The French beauty charmed a winning bid of $2,200.
In the antique advertising section, an embossed-tin Nine O’Clock Washing Tea sign dating to the latter part of the 19th century swept past its $200-$300 estimate to settle at $1,150. Advertising tins and containers were led by an eye-catching yellow and black circa-1890s J.H. Allen & Co. Coffee bin, which brewed up a top bid of $575.
The auction session’s pleasing selection of toys included several pressed-steel vehicles by Buddy ‘L.’ A scarce flivver dump truck, 11 inches long and complete with Buddy ‘L’ decal behind the seat, reached the top of its estimate range at $900.
A cheery lot that proved irresistible to multiple bidders was an early figural rabbit head parade mask with nicely painted pink eyes, nose, mouth and inner ears. In very good condition and ready to wear in next spring’s Easter parade, it ended its bidding run at $575.
“We had a very nice turnout for this sale,” said Morphy’s CEO and owner, Dan Morphy. “Each one of our Discovery auctions seems to have its own character, which the bidders really enjoy. Whereas this sale featured two fresh to the market doll collections, our June 15th Discovery lineup will include an outstanding collection of dental antiques, and 50 or 60 guitars and records signed by some of the music industry’s most famous artists. We’re expecting an excellent response from collectors of these specialties.”
Visit www.morphyauctions.com for additional information on the June 15 event and other sales coming up at Dan Morphy Auctions. Contact Morphy’s at 717-335-3435 or e-mail dan@morphyauctions.com.
Morphy’s Brings In The Music
At Auction: June 15
An impressive collection of signed guitars from consigner Roger Knight will be auctioned off in our June 15 Discovery Auction. Music lovers and collectors alike get ready for this array of guitars and the eight or nine rare albums which will accompany the collection. The collection includes signed guitars by the following: ACDC, U2, The Eagles, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Ozzy Ozbourne, Carlos Santana, The Who and a guitar signed by eight legends: Jeff Beck/ Keith Richards/ Eric Clapton/ BB King/ Sting/ Jimmy Page/ Eddie Van Halen. All of the guitars come with their LOA for authentication.
Dan Morphy’s new Discovery Auctions continue to gain momentum;
April 20 sale earns highest series gross to date
DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions’ popular new series of Discovery Auctions continues to enjoy not only an increased following but also higher sale totals with each successive outing. On April 20, Morphy’s third Discovery Auction – featuring 590 lots of antique advertising, toys, figural cast iron, decorative art and a selection of dime registering banks – topped the $140,000 mark. All prices quoted include a 15% buyer’s premium.
“I was extremely pleased with the result,” said Morphy’s CEO Dan Morphy. “We felt from the beginning that these sales would take off. We keep them manageable in size, which the buyers like, and offer a quick turnaround time on payouts, which the consignors really appreciate. But the main reason for the success of these sales is that we’ve kept the level of quality high. These sales contain very nice things.”
The April 20 auction contained a fine selection of painted cast-iron doorstops, doorknockers, bottle openers and other novelties. Topping the category was an attractive 8-inch Lighthouse doorstop described in the catalog as the only known example. Estimated at $1,750-$2,000, it lit up the gallery with a final bid of $5,750. Another big winner was the 15½-inch-tall Bradley & Hubbard Owl on Pedestal doorstop, which flew to $3,738.
A Pansies doorknocker made by Hubley ignored its $350-$450 estimate to settle at $1,495; while a wall-mount Amish man bottle opener earned an above-estimate $1,035. Another bottle opener, fashioned as a golf caddy with a bag of golf clubs, birdied at $632.
Antique advertising was led by a 1930s-1940s Quaker State Oil poster of boys skinny-dipping at the old swimming hole, which made a big splash at $3,163. A tin, double-sided Diamond Squeegee Service sign nearly doubled its high estimate at $978; and a Red Indian Tobacco “mammy” roly poly tin achieved $805.
Toys of many different types were offered. The favorite of the day was a rare cast-iron Vindex toy tractor with “John Deere” embossed on both sides of the engine. It motored its way to an $863 finish.
More than 30 lots of beautiful, early graniteware in several colors – some of them rare forms – were offered in the auction. A scarce 18-inch American-made red and white swirl frying pan cooked up a top bid of $1,265.
Morphy’s Discovery Auction debut tops $100K
DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy’s Discovery Auction debut held March 16, 2010, was a solid winner, grossing $125,000, inclusive of buyer’s premium. More than 100 bidders participated in person at Morphy’s gallery, with a staggering 1,000+ additional bidders taking part via the Internet.
Leading the prices realized was a Dr. Lesure’s veterinary cabinet, which sold for $4,025. Another strong advertising lot was the Overholt Whiskey sign that made $1,955. With crossover interest from toy and holiday collectors, a Christmas toy banner made $1,725.
Leading the cast-iron mechanical banks was a Bulldog bank, $3,450; followed by a baseball-themed Darktown Battery, $2,300.
Top toy lots included a Bing submarine, $1,725; Chein Crazy Cat scooter, $978; and a marble lot that finished at $1,725. A Simon & Halbig doll found a new owner for $1,380.
Yet another notable entry was the Topsy blinking-eye clock featuring a smiling African-American girl as its central figure. It ticked to a closing price of $1,610.
“I was very pleased with the results achieved in our first-ever Discovery Auction,” said Morphy’s CEO, Dan Morphy. “It’s exciting to us that bidders have embraced this new series of auctions, and on the other side of the coin, consignors really like the idea of a quick turnaround time between consignment and payout.”
Join the excitement and fun of Dan Morphy Auctions’ first-ever Discovery Auction, on Tuesday, March 16, starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. This 483-lot sale includes a fantastic array of antique toys, banks, advertising, primitives, fine and decorative art, and so much more!
We have been very selective about the quality of items chosen for this boutique sale that launches our new series of single-day Discovery Auctions. We guarantee you will be thrilled, and we invite you to come to the auction in person or take part through any of a number of alternative bidding methods, including phone, absentee or live via the Internet through either MorphyLive or LiveAuctioneers.com.
Discover toys: Boxed Mickey Mouse Sparkler and many other novelty tin sparklers, English bobby automaton nodder, early tin and cast-iron motorcycles, 16-inch Bing tin car with driver, Chein Crazy Cat on Scooter, Lehmann Nu-Nu, Hubley oxen-drawn wagon, marbles, pressed steel, postwar plastic and superhero toys, numerous tin wind-ups, a German tin-windup Swan Pond toy, Disney including a boxed Mickey/Minnie Handcar, German tin Mickey Mouse Drummer and Lionel Donald Duck & Pluto Rail Car, nautical toys, trains, cowboy cap guns, a whole host of “boomer” toys, robots including a boxed Gigantor tin windup, and a selection of fine European and American dolls, including a Jumeau bebe, Armand Marseille, Martha Chase Hospital doll and many others.
Discover mechanical banks: Uncle Sam, Eagle & Eaglets, Darktown Battery, Snapping Bulldog, Paddy & the Pig, Santa by the Chimney, and many with an African-American theme.
Discover antique advertising: hundreds of product containers and tins, including coffee cans, tobacco pocket tins, chewing gum-related, store displays, fantastic signs, trays, a collection of early glass candy jars, Dr. Lesure’s veterinary cabinet with equine theme.
Discover primitives: quilts, toleware, stoneware, decorative pottery.
Plus: Topsy blinking-eye clock, sterling silver over green glass perfume bottles, vase and pitcher; ice cream scoops, antique medical instruments, figural cast-iron bookends and doorstops, pin-up art calendars, Halloween and other holiday candy containers.
What will YOU discover in Dan Morphy’s March 16 Discovery Auction? Click here to view the catalog and find out: Discovery Auction Online Catalog
Record auction price paid for tin robot at
Morphy’s Feb. 26-27 $1M sale
DENVER, Pa. – It came from outer space, and when it landed in southeastern Pennsylvania last month, Masudaya’s multi-action Target Robot smashed a world auction record for an example of its type when it hit the bull’s-eye at $52,900. The boxy tinplate alien invader – complete with original box and shooting accessories – took top-lot honors in Dan Morphy’s Feb. 26-27 sale, which grossed $1,070,000 (all prices quoted inclusive of 15% buyer’s premium).
“The robot result shows what the market will pay for a classic-era robot whose condition is complete and this close to being brand new,” said Morphy’s chief operating officer, Tom Sage Jr. The Target Robot, which is one of Masudaya’s ‘Gang of Five’ robots made in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was designed for use with a tin shooting pistol and two rubber-tipped darts. “This is the first instance we know of in which the robot still has not only its rare original box but also its shooting accessories still intact in the original sealed bag,” Sage said. The 15-inch robot with a carnival-style target on its chest came from the factory in Japan in a multicolor box that instructs: “Shoot him…He roars, flashes, and goes away…soon comes back to you!”
Morphy Auctions’ owner and CEO, Dan Morphy, noted that the highest recorded auction prices for a boxed Target Robot in the last five years included $16,385 paid at the May 9, 2008 auction of the Robert Lesser collection, and $12,362 at Christie’s South Kensington’s Nov. 17, 2005 sale of the Paul Lips collection. “The Target Robot we just sold has more than tripled the previous auction record, so that just goes to show you the premium collectors are willing to pay for something as seemingly insignificant as a sealed bag of unused accessories. To them, it was very significant,” Morphy said.
The 2,114-lot auction featured a colorful array of antique advertising, toys, dolls, historical and political memorabilia and part II of the Pat and Lowell Wagner steam toy collection. Toy highlights included a circa-1900, 20½-inch Radiguet (French) Rodney steam-powered ship, $6,325; an 1870s George Brown “Broadway & 42nd Street” horse-drawn tin trolley, $6,325; and a Marx prototype Jiminy Cricket hand-painted tin windup toy with a 1939 Walt Disney Production mark, $3,162.
The rush for early marbles repeated an ongoing theme at Morphy’s, as travelers from several states arrived specifically to bid in that section of the sale. “We’re really pleased that marble collectors regard our sales as mini-conventions,” said Dan Morphy, himself a long-time marble enthusiast and supporter of the hobby. An incredible $9,200 was paid for a complete boxed set of 12 Peltier-brand marbles, each bearing the image of an early cartoon character, e.g., Betty Boop, Little Orphan Annie and Koko the Clown. The set had been estimated at $1,400-$2,200. Of the single marbles offered, a 2-inch-diameter onionskin marble with 16 “fine and very distinct” lobes fared best, earning $3,737.
In the antique advertising section, a painted-zinc Indian brave tobacco figure cast in 1875 by Miller, Dubrul and Peters, 6 feet tall and featured in the 1953 book Cigar Store Figures, achieved $15,525. A figural 96-inch by 72-inch painted metal display piece depicting a Barnum & Bailey circus elephant more than doubled its high estimate to settle at $8,625; while a latter-19th-century hand-painted linen poster featuring a cartouche of Buffalo Bill over a buffalo in a field hit the top of its estimate range at $14,375. A coveted Dr. A.C. Daniels veterinary medicine cabinet more than doubled its high estimate at $6,325. Tobacco pocket tins were led by a beautifully pictorial Shogun Mixture container described in Morphy’s catalog as “one of few known.” The 4½-inch tin closed its lid within estimate at $8,625.
The sale also featured a sizable selection of Kentucky rifles, Civil War-era rifles and other early to contemporary collectible firearms. As expected, an 1835-1845 Kentucky flintlock rifle, profusely decorated with silver figural inlays and attributed to notable Pennsylvania gunsmith Charles Baum, dominated the group, fetching $12,075.
Other auction highlights included a J. & E. Stevens Bread Winners mechanical bank, which earned $28,750 (estimate $15,000-$20,000), a very rare, early 20th-century Maggie Bessie American cloth doll with hand-painted face, $6,325; a 28-inch-tall Mother Goose papier-mâché windup nodder, $3,737; and a pair of hand-cut green crystal decanters with stoppers, $5,750 (estimate $500-$700).
Dan Morphy Auctions is moving forward into 2010 with a...
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