34 28th July 2012 international events


the richard t. claus collection continued from page 33


years around 1905. One mast was a replacement, but this 2ft 4in (71cm) vessel was otherwise in superb condition, retaining all its original paint, multiple guns, a fully appointed deck and its original pine box. Estimated at $50,000-60,000, it made $95,000


(£63,350) – close to twice the $47,500 taken for a very similar New York gunship of this period in lesser condition at the Forbes sale. While boats were sold under the Märklin name in


the 1890s, most were derivatives of models by Ludwig Lutz, the rival toymaker in Ellwangen which Märklin acquired in 1891. Accordingly, it is the boats that appeared in the


earliest years of the new century, superbly made if slightly naive interpretations of real warships, which collectors have traditionally called first generation Märklin models. Those made after around 1909, often more sophisticated in design but painted in more muted colours, are dubbed second generation vessels. A number of second series American market


battleships were deemed exceptional survivors. These included the 3ft (91cm) maroon and grey


hull Maryland (estimate $50,000-60,000) with multiple gun turrets, a four-tiered mast and multiple observation decks, which was modelled after the Normandie class of Dreadnoughts ordered for the French Navy in 1912-1913, and the well-appointed 3ft 2in (96cm) Brooklyn in two-tone grey c.1913 (estimate $90,000-120,000). Both with little to count against them save very


TOY AUCTION 15TH SEPTEMBER


A c.1875 steam-powered Rock & Graner Kaiser Wilhelm paddle-wheel boat – $40,000 (£26,650) at Bertoia Auctions.


minor restoration, they sold at $125,000 (£83,350) and $90,000 (£60,000) respectively. In a sale where the average lot price was more than


$8500, Märklin handiwork provided seven of the top ten prices. However, forcing its way into sixth position was one


of the earliest boats in the collection, a steam-driven paddle steamer c.1875. The name Kaiser Wilhelm appears on the paddle wheel covers while details include a figurehead and bow spirit that add another 6in (15cm) to the overall length of 21in (53cm). Traditionally, this model, painted in green, orange,


black and maroon, and others like it were attributed to the aforementioned Lutz factory, but the relatively recent discovery of a catalogue from the years 1876- 81 has seen them rebranded as the products of the Rock and Graner factory. Again in excellent condition, with just minor


enhancement to the paddle wheels and the red bell lever, Kaiser Wilhelm sold above hopes at $40,000 (£26,650). Another well-known German factory to feature


strongly in the sale was Gunthermann whose output included a lithographed-tin model of an eight-man racing scull with a uniformed crew and blue-jacketed coxswain. Measuring an impressive 2ft 5in (74cm) long, it is an


exceptionally detailed toy with a clockwork mechanism providing a synchronised rowing action.


Johann Issmayer of Nuremberg also made a version


of this toy, designed to run on the floor rather than on water, available with either a light blue crew for Cambridge or a dark blue crew for Oxford. Here the rowers wear rather more ambiguous blue and white vests and the hull is finished in a light brown wood grain. The model is illustrated across the collecting


literature but has been an elusive sight at auction in recent years. It streaked past its $10,000-$12,000 estimate to cross the line at $27,500 (£18,350). The one non-German boat to feature among the


top lots was a live-steam gunboat by Radiguet. The celebrated French makers specialised in scientific teaching aids but began making these steam-powered toy boats, characterised by their black- and gold- painted hulls with wood and brass fittings, in the 1880s. At 3ft 3in (99cm) from its elongated ram bow to


stern, the gunboat was larger than the example owned by Malcolm Forbes but shared its form and details: brass cannon, a two-tiered crow’s nest, full rope railing and an elaborate centre deck boiler with two funnel stacks. Its hull was repainted but it still doubled hopes at $32,000 (£21,350). Forbes’ 2ft 6in (76cm) model had sold for $29,000. A further 300 lots are anticipated for the second


Claus sale with a pre-sale estimate of approximately $1.2m.


A c.1890 Radiguet live-steam gunboat – $32,000 (£21,350) at Bertoia Auctions.


Antique and collectable toys mainly from two


Swedish collections: Steiff bears; Jumeau and S.F.B.J dolls; Käthe Kruse and other German dolls;


Shirley Temple dolls by Ideal; tintoys by Gebrüder Bing, Schucco and Märklin; a Victorian Doll theater;


Barbie and her friends by Mattel and much more. The catalogue will be published at


www.crafoordauktioner.se in mid August.


The picture is showing a Käthe Kruse doll no 1, a Jumeau doll, a 1920s Steiff bear and a Bing train set.


Clemenstorget 7, Lund, Sweden tel. +46-46-211 18 70 www.crafoordauktioner.se mail@crafoordauktioner.se


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