Bertoia’s spring toy auction nears $1.9 million

Bertoia Auctions’ May 29-30 Spring Auction brought in nearly $1.9 million, led by a circa-1906 Bing gauge 4 toy locomotive that sold for $78,000. The two-day sale featured 1,000 lots from the Maloy and Bill Gallagher collections and showed strong demand across trains, banks, robots and other rare toys.

Why it matters: - The results show continued strength in the high-end toy and collectibles market, especially for rare European trains, mechanical banks and early Japanese toys. - Several top lots sold for multiples of their high estimates, signaling deep bidder competition for museum-quality pieces. - The sale also extended the momentum of the Maloy collection, following a Part 1 auction in December 2025 that topped $1.6 million.

What happened: - Bertoia Auctions held its Spring Auction on May 29-30, with 1,000 choice lots offered over two days. - The auction brought in nearly $1.9 million, including buyer’s premium. - The sale featured Part 2 of the Martin and Deborah Maloy toy collection. - The event also included material from the Bill Gallagher collection, along with German wind-ups, pressed-steel toys, trains, robots and pre-war Japanese toys.

The details: - A circa-1906 Bing (German) gauge 4 toy locomotive led the sale at $78,000, far above its $10,000 high estimate. - The 15-inch live-steam locomotive was hand-painted in LSWR livery and came with its original tender. - A rare Old Woman in the Shoe mechanical bank sold for $36,000 against a $10,000 high estimate. - The 7-inch bank was a contemporary limited-edition example made of lead and brass, with fewer than 10 created. - A ¼-inch-scale salesman sample of a 1922 Autocar rotary dump body truck sold for $25,200, beating an $8,000 high estimate. - The truck was one of only five known examples, measured 52 inches long, and used an electric motor to raise and lower the dump bed. - A 2-inch gauge electric toy summer trolley by Carlisle & Finch brought $40,800 against a $3,500 high estimate. - The 14½-inch trolley included German composition policeman figures at each end and reflected Carlisle & Finch’s early role in electric miniature trains. - A Deluxe Carette limousine with figures sold for $13,200 versus a $4,000 high estimate. - The 16-inch car retained its original hand-painted driver, three rear passengers, beveled glass windows, rubber tires, spoke wheels, original headlamps and working clockwork motor. - A Masudaya Giant Sonic Robot sold for $10,200 against a $4,000 high estimate. - The 15-inch robot was part of the “Gang of Five” series and featured forward motion, swinging arms, a lit head and siren sound. - A speedboat penny toy marked “Made in Japan” sold for $7,800 against a $1,400 high estimate. - The 5-inch toy from the Bill Gallagher Collection was all-original and in excellent condition. - An Ives boy on horse perambulator realized $7,800 within estimate. - The 1873-patented toy appeared as No. 1 in Ives’ 1876 flyer and used a clockwork motor to animate the boy’s arms. - A circa-1926 Steelcraft Lincoln pedal car sold for $6,600 against a $4,000 high estimate. - The 44-inch pedal car, sold under the Boycraft label, was 100% original and retained vivid paint, stenciling and a rich patina. - An early Fernand Martin wind-up shoe shiner, “Le Petit Decrotteur,” sold for $6,600 above estimate. - The circa-1898 toy stood 5 inches tall and kept its original clothing and face paint.

Between the lines: - Jeanne Bertoia said the toy train market was especially active before the sale, and that many lots brought double, triple or quadruple their high estimates. - The strongest bidding appears to have centered on rare, early, well-preserved pieces with original parts and strong provenance. - The auction’s breadth suggests collector demand is not limited to one category, with strong results across trains, banks, robots, boats and automotive toys.

What's next: - Bertoia Auctions is accepting high-quality toys, banks, holiday antiques and collectibles for future sales. - Michael Bertoia is available to discuss consignments, including single pieces and entire collections. - The company says inquiries are confidential and there is no obligation to consign. - More information is available on the company’s website.

The bottom line: - Bertoia’s spring sale confirmed that top-tier toy collectibles remain highly liquid, with rare condition, originality and provenance still driving premium prices.