Pook & Pook with Noel Barrett - December 3, 2021 - Antique Toys & Board Games

On December 3rd, 2021 Pook & Pook with Noel Barrett teamed up to give collectors of quality toys and early board games a great opportunity to add to their collections. Part one of the legendary Bud & Judy Newman Board Game collection, 363 lots in all, was sold in April 2021. Part two of their collection, 226 lots, was the major consignment in the December sale. A group of games and early paper lithographed toys from the Diane and Steve Olin Collection was a strong addition to the sale. Rounding out the sale was a variety of items from over thirty additional consignors. Toys from the Collection of Bill and Stevie Weart included a nice group of cast iron toys fleshed out by a few boats and an exceptional example of a Lionel standard gauge Blue Comet that flew down the tracks selling for $9,840 (est. 3,000-5,000).

Lot 411, George Brown Excelsior Riverboat pull toy. Sold for $24,800

The star of the show was a George Brown Excelsior side-wheel riverboat consigned by the great-granddaughter of the original owner. The only other known example is in the New York Historical Society Museum. One of the largest George Brown toys, this imposing pull toy was dropped from production due to manufacturing complexity. Incomplete and in distressed paint condition, it cruised down the river finding new berth for a docking fee of $25,200 (est. 15,000-20,000).

Also a big hit price-wise was what may be the only known example of another late nineteenth century American toy: a circa 1880 Ives lithographed paper on wood baseball ball toss target, estimated at $3000-5000, it knocked one out of the park - a home run at $9,840.

Lot 58, Parker Bros. The London Game board game, ca. 1898. Sold for $1,736

Christmas theme games by McLoughlin were among the high-flyers in the sale, perhaps three weeks before Christmas contributed to their success. Other high spots in games include McLaughlin’s Yuneek, Open Sesame by Bliss, Singer’s Game of Aladdin and the Game of London by Parker Brothers; it features a highly detailed map of the city.

Lithographed paper on wood toys and games found energetic buyers. Highlights by Bliss included the U.S. Grant Golden Gate three-piece train, a May Pole Marble toy, and the ABC Butterfly Blocks set. McLoughlin pieces did well, among them the Enchanted Table/Bewitched People toy, and two ABC block sets, Fire Department and Peepshow. A mechanical Little Housekeeper rolling out some dough brought some dough selling for $1,386, besting the high estimate of $600.

High spot among some early English pieces included London Journey by Spooner and The New Social Game, both selling for $945 (estimates $400-600 and $300-500 respectively). A phenokistoscope, the Wheel of Wonder, also by Wallis spun up to $1,476 (est. 600-800). An American game, also late nineteenth century, took off, a circa 1844 game by Ives: National Game of the American Eagle flew high hitting a peak at $3,444 (est. 800-1200).

Lot 185, Gunthermann painted tin wind-up scooting clown toy. Sold for $1,178

Pretty serious condition issues didn’t keep two Schoenhut bandwagons from taking position in the center ring. One with incomplete horses and some repaint rang the bell at $5,040 (est. 800-1,200). The price was helped along by the amazing condition of bandsmens’ felt uniforms, which are catnip for moths. The bandwagon absent musicians and rear tailgate but in nice paint sold for $2,772 (est. 400-600). A Gunthermann clown in colorful paint scooted along to a price of $1,169 (est. 400-600). Also in the circus parade was a papier-mâché camel pull toy skittle set. It rolled along to a respectable price of $2,706 (est. 1000-1500).

Cast iron automotive toys from the Weart’s found new homes after spirited bidding. The top piece was an Arcade Caterpillar bulldozer, $6,048 (est. 300-400). Other pieces did well including a Hubley black & white cab, $1,071 (est. 400-600), an Arcade REO, $2,016 (est. 1200-1500), a Dent stake truck, $1,134 (est. 600-800). A small group of pressed steel was highlighted by an all-original Buddy L Red Baby in played with condition and some paint losses – it went down the road for $2,460 (est. 600-800).