The RSL Auction Company is very pleased to announce its adoption of a new auction format that shall henceforward be known as the “Crème de la Crème Auction”. This phrase originated in France perhaps three centuries ago. Its earliest use stems from culinary references related to cheese produced with the finest creams. In modern parlance, the phrase has simply come to mean the ‘very best’, whether in reference to people or things. As the phrase implies, these auctions will be extremely small with only the very best quality offerings on the market.
Our first crème de la crème sale will take place this summer on Saturday, August 21st at our auction facility in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. The sale will showcase 300 stellar pieces that will include architectural still banks, dynamic themed spelter still banks, figural still banks, tin and cast iron mechanical banks, bell toys, cast iron animal drawn toys, European tinplate planes, trains, automobiles and novelty toys, rare examples of American tin and mechanical toys and several prized pieces of folk art. In the future, we will plan to create one crème de la crème sale every summer.
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LOT 150:
Figures Striking Bells American Tin Toy
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Sold for: $7,000
Start price:
$
3,750
Estimated price :
$7,500 - $10,500
Buyer's Premium: 27.5%
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Figures Striking Bells American Tin Toy
Merriam & Althof-Bergman American - Circa Mid 1870's. Ex - Jay Lowe Toy Collection. This is certainly one of the most unusual American tin bell ringers you will ever have the chance to acquire. Once again, making a firm attribution as to the maker is difficult because the toy demonstrates stylistic traits and known features of two different toy manufacturers. Clearly, the horse and the figures are by Merriam Mfg. Company. The wheels and the bells and the unusual drive mechanism housed in the red tin cylinder are probably the contribution of Althof-Bergman. Collaboration in early toy making happened a lot more frequently than previously imagined. In any case, this is a fascinating toy in great original condition.
