Donald Kaufman Antique Toy Collection Auction Takes $4.2Million
Published March 29th, 2009
The March 19-21 no-reserve sale premiering the Donald Kaufman Antique Toy Collection rang the register at more than $4.2 million and set a new house record for its producer, Bertoia Auctions. The high-energy event, which was the opener for an ongoing series of sales to disperse the massive Kaufman collection, reminded many of the great auctions of 20 years ago. The three-day gross slightly surpassed Bertoia’s previous house record – also in the range of $4.2 million – which had been set in 1998 when the New Jersey company auctioned the Stan Sax bank collection.
Top lot was a rare circa-1909 Marklin Fidelitas clown caravan measuring 37½ inches long. A stunning hand-painted toy made by prewar Germany’s premier toy manufacturer, it had been estimated at $30,000-$40,000 but well exceeded expectations with a selling price of $103,500 (inclusive of 15 percent buyer’s premium). The buyer was a private collector from Europe.
Bertoia’s will continue its auction series exclusively featuring the Donald Kaufman Antique Toy Collection on Sept. 25 and 26, 2009. Details will be available soon at www.bertoiaauctions.com. Tel. 856-692-1881
