Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Bunch

Full Text:

Gentleman Parts With Childhood Toys At Bunch

with 1 cut

By Rita Easton

WEST CHESTER, PENN. -- Two large estate consignments of antiques, toys and

country collectibles were the subject of a 750-lot auction held by William

Bunch on January 26.

Choice toy items came from a gentleman who had owned them as a child, the

older toys having been handed down in the family. Two hundred forty registered

bidders filled the hall on Brandywine Street at 3 pm, following a preview

session which began at 9 am.

Crossing the block at the top price of the day, $4,600, a 1920s Buddy L black

open delivery truck went to a collector.

A yellow and green Buddy L ride-on ice truck caught a buyer's eye at $2,400;

while a colorful orange and blue 1939 World's Fair cast-iron and tin tram, the

motor pulling three open cars with striped awnings, reached $825. Buddy L's

model T, a perfectly squared off replica of the original vehicle, sold at

$525.

Of a group of Popeye toys, a tin friction toy depicting Popeye in an airplane,

ten-inches long, achieved $300; a Popeye ring toss game in its original box,

the rings to be aimed at Popeye's pipe, garnered $30; and a jointed Popeye

doll, approximately 24-inches high, sold at $260.

A tin diving Wolverine submarine, in its original box, brought $250 for the

12-inch long lot with original box; an Arcade eight-inch red top cab went out

at $750; an eight-inch Hubley yellow cab reached $475; a second yellow cab

reached $350 and a third fetched $475; a #3 cab crossed the block at $400; and

a black and white cab made $475. All cabs were cast-iron.

Dolls generated interest with collectors, with "Francie," a doll with case and

original wardrobe, bringing $340. A Barbie doll with a wardrobe reached $350;

a second Barbie with a trunk and wardrobe went out at $400; and two Barbie

dolls crossing the block as one lot brought $425.

A "Scooter" doll in her own box sold at $550; a "Skipper" doll with wardrobe

reached $260; and a group of Madame Alexander dolls, including a K R 403,

ranged from $35 to $75, with the average at $45. A Vogue "Jill" doll was

purchased at $80, and $350 went to a 28-inch Queen Louise doll.

A general grocery store in tin litho, with stocked shelves, two aisles, and a

counter, 24- by 18-inches, fetched $320; and a tin litho city airport with

landing strips and communications tower, with two hangers, brought $270. A

251E Lionel train set, with two cars, went for $500; an 808 accessory set by

Lionel reached $300; a 1700 set made $200; and a three piece 752E garnered

$675.

Prices quoted do not reflect a ten percent buyers premium.