Bertoia’s November fall auction features rare toys, trains and cast-iron collectibles

Bertoia Auctions will hold its annual Fall Auction Nov. 13-14 in Vineland, New Jersey, with rare toys, trains, banks, pedal cars and patent models from multiple collections. The sale includes high-end pieces expected to draw collectors and holiday shoppers alike, led by marquee Marklin, Ernst Plank, Buddy ‘L’ and Britains examples.

Why it matters: - Bertoia’s annual Fall Auction is positioned as a season-ending sale for serious collectors and gift buyers. - The catalog spans multiple collecting categories, with several pieces carrying five-figure estimates. - The offering also reflects a broader market for rare, high-condition toys and Americana with strong provenance.

What happened: - Bertoia Auctions announced its Annual Fall Auction for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, at its gallery in Vineland, New Jersey. - The sale starts at 10 a.m. ET both days. - Featured material includes mechanical and still banks, pressed-steel automotive toys, pedal cars, cast-iron doorstops, Marklin boats and tin toys, European and American trains, Japanese toy autos, nearly 100 patent models, and Britains toy soldiers. - Remote bidding will be available by absentee, phone and live online through Bertoia Live, LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable. - Preview is by appointment only during the week before the auction.

The details: - An unassembled Hubley cast-iron Indian Armored Cycle from the Allan and Terry Joy collection is estimated at $7,000-$11,000. - A Hubley full-figure giraffe doorstop and a patriotic Uncle Sam doorstop are among the cast-iron doorstops on offer, with the Uncle Sam example estimated at $8,000-$14,000. - More than 70 cast-iron still and mechanical banks will cross the block. - A Hold the Fort mechanical bank, patented in 1877, is expected to bring $8,000-$14,000. - A still bank depicting California’s San Gabriel Mission carries an $8,000-$14,000 estimate. - A rare Australian-made William Tell Money Box with its pictorial cardboard box is estimated at $1,500-$2,500. - A circa-1910-1925 Marklin No. 4142 triple-boiler steam plant is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. - A circa-1912-1915 clockwork-driven Marklin Series II Battleship Decidee is expected to bring $30,000-$50,000. - A circa-1912 German Ernst Plank Gauge 2 passenger set is estimated at $30,000-$40,000. - Disneyana lots include boxed celluloid Mickey Mouse toys, plus wind-up tin toys featuring Popeye, Howdy Doody and a boxed celluloid Betty Boop. - A Buddy ‘L’ passenger bus is estimated at $10,000-$18,000. - A Steelcraft pressed-steel pedal airplane modeled after the Spirit of St. Louis is estimated at $4,000-$7,000. - Part II of the Lenny Hummel Japanese auto collection includes boxed examples such as a 1956 Marusan Ford with working motor, estimated at $4,000-$6,000. - The sale introduces the Joe Wallis collection of Britains toy soldiers, including a rare Britains Set #1749 Barrage with original box, estimated at $2,000-$4,000. - A circa-1870 hand-painted “Chinaman” magic lantern from a French household is estimated at $10,000-$16,000. - The auction also includes nearly 100 salesman’s samples and patent models, described as the largest selection of that type Bertoia Auctions has handled in one sale.

Between the lines: - The auction leans heavily on condition, originality and completeness, three traits that often drive top results in the toy and collectibles market. - Several lots come from named collections, which can boost buyer confidence and sharpen competition. - The mix of holiday-friendly display pieces and investment-grade rarities broadens the pool of potential bidders. - The strongest estimates cluster around early German mechanical toys, rare cast-iron banks and marquee boxed examples, signaling where collector demand remains most intense.

What's next: - Bertoia Auctions will field bids live in Vineland and through remote channels during the Nov. 13-14 sale. - Collectors can request item information, absentee bidding and preview appointments by calling 856-692-1881 or emailing toys@bertoiaauctions.com. - More information is available on the company’s website.