Matthew Bullock Auction Gallery


421 East Stevenson Road, Ottawa, Illinois 61350
815-220-5005

About Auction House

Founded over 10 years ago, Matthew Bullock Auction Gallery offers more than 80 auctions annually. Centrally located in Illinois we are less than 90 minutes away from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and 70 minutes away from Chicago. Given the proximity to millions of potential bidders and buyers we attract notable consignments in dozens of categories including numismatics, fine art glass, antiques, primitives, fine art, militaria, firearms, toys, comics, sports memorabilia, and more.

Auction Previews & News

1 Results
  • Auction Result
    Sensational Santas: Holiday Auction Highlights From 2025

    There is something magical about iconic, finely produced Christmas items from the past. Their nostalgia, charm, and presentation continue to call to collectors and generate impressive results regardless of the season or temperature outside! In keeping with Auction Daily tradition, our editors combed countless sales events in 2025, searching for impressive Christmas category highlights. Here are a few that really caught their eye, in the most festive sort of way.  This Santa and reindeer automaton was estimated at $300-500 and sold for $5,240. Antique to vintage, large seasonal and Christmas showpieces were in demand year-round with enthusiasts in 2025. On May 17, 2025, Clars Auctions of Oakland, CA sold lot #6358, a Christmas sled automaton with Santa Claus and a reindeer, at their May Warehouse event. Estimated at $300-500, it traded hands at a whopping $5,240. This holiday centerpiece included a 19" tall, sitting Santa wearing his traditional red and white suit, a 24" long reindeer with oversized antlers wearing a festively trimmed blanket and reins, and a green wooden sled painted with gold and red accents.  By definition, an automaton is a moving mechanical device made to mirror the actions or movements of a person. Given its size, theme, and presentation, it is likely that this impressive automaton was made as a midcentury-era holiday window display for a retail store. The first specifically Christmas window displays appeared in 1874 at Macy's in New York City. By 1883, these signature windows included dynamic features. This antique Santa nodder was estimated at $1,000-2,000 and sold for $1,736. Moving Christmas themed toys, especially those with their original packaging, also demanded top dollar in 2025. On May 3, 2025, Bayside Auctions of Rock Hall, MD sold lot #2, an antique Santa clockwork nodder toy at their Coins, Toys, Decorative Arts & Militaria sale. Estimated at $1,000-2,000, it delivered $1,736. This working condition, early 20th century wind-up mechanical novelty was in the form of litho cutout of the head of a smiling Santa Claus on top of a bricked chimney with a small, dimensional black mantle and fireplace below. The mantle was decorated with…

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  • Auction Result
    Feast Your Eyes On These Thanksgiving Themed Auction Highlights

    Here's some food for thought as we enter the fall to winter holiday season. In 2025, Thanksgiving related artwork, antiques, collectibles, and ephemera continue to whet the appetite of collectors worldwide. Here are some recent and impressive Thanksgiving themed sales results that caught the eye of the Auction Daily team. All prices noted include the auction house's buyer's premium. On April 26, 2025, Slotin Folk Art of Buford, GA sold lot #72, Sister Gertrude Morgan's Thanksgiving for $4,000. On April 26, 2025, Slotin Folk Art of Buford, GA sold lot #72, Sister Gertrude Morgan's Thanksgiving for $4,000. It held a presale estimate of $4,000-6,000. This paint on found cardstock work was framed and measured 23" x 16" overall. It was illustrated with a red and orange turkey; pink, tan, and orange fruits and vegetables; a large white house on the horizon; white clouds against a red sky; and a handwritten, religious toned prayer of gratitude. The artist signed the painting across the middle of the work in script writing.  Sister Gertrude Morgan (American, 1900- 1980), who left school in the third grade, was an entirely self-taught artist, musician, poet, and evangelist. She began painting in 1956 because she said a voice from God told her to do so. All of her artwork had overt religious themes, often incorporating images from scripture and words of prayer. On January 20, 2017, Morgan's Precious Lord - painted in the 1970-1975 time frame - sold for $68,750 at Christie's. On April 12, 2025, Matthew Bullock Auctioneers of Ottawa, IL sold lot #0170, a 1934 Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears 1st Thanksgiving game program for $819. On April 12, 2025, Matthew Bullock Auctioneers of Ottawa, IL sold lot #0170, a 1934 Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears 1st Thanksgiving game program for $819 on a $600-700 presale estimate. This program was for a game held on November 29, 1934; this was also was the first NFL game to be broadcast across the United States by the NBC radio network. The mosaic style cover is decorated with a photo of two lion cubs, stock images of three…

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  • Auction Result
    Going Places: Matthew Bullock Auctioneers’ Dealership Promo Car and Toy Sale

    The first model vehicles produced as toys for children started to appear in the early 20th century as real cars gained popularity worldwide. German toy companies, including Bing and Marklin, took the lead in this new line of business. Shortly after, American companies started to produce these playthings to keep up with demand. These century-spanning miniatures remain collectors' favorites today. Matthew Bullock Auctioneers of Ottawa, IL presented its Dealership Promo Car and Toy sale on May 10, 2025. Over 900 lots of vintage and modern die-cast treasures were on offer. Here are some results that took the pole positions in this exciting event. Lot #0337c, a collection of NASCAR die-cast cars and other vehicles, was estimated at $30 to $300 and sold for $1,260. Image courtesy of Mathew Bullock Auctioneers. The top lot in this sale was #0337c, a collection of NASCAR (National Stock Car Racing Association) die-cast cars and other vehicles. Estimated at USD 30 to $300, it traded hands at $1,260. The group of over 160 miniatures was in nearly as-new condition. Almost every car was in its own original presentation box, which was branded with its NASCAR racer's name, number, and other sporting information. Lot #0398, a Lionel LionMaster O gauge Western Maryland Challenger steam locomotive and tender, was estimated at $30 to $300 and sold for $599. Image courtesy of Matthew Bullock Auctioneers. Model trains and related materials were well represented in this sale. Lot #0398, a Lionel LionMaster O gauge Western Maryland Challenger steam locomotive and tender, was estimated at $30 to $300 and delivered $599. Both were primarily black: the locomotive had a red cab and 1201 as its reporting mark. The coal-carrying tender was decorated with the words "Western Maryland" in gold, with a Western Maryland Fast Freight Line winged logo in gold and red. The locomotive measured 17 inches long and retained its original Lionel Legacy LionMaster box. The Lionel Train Company was one of the best-known and beloved legacy toy train makers. It was started in 1900 by Joshua Lionel Cowen as an electrical novelty company. Its LionMaster line was introduced…

    AuctionDaily
  • Group of 28 die cast vehicles
    Auction Preview
    Toys Trains Trucks & Barbies

    Matthew Bullock Auctioneers will present over 1,300 lots in the upcoming Toys, Trains, Trucks, & Barbies auction, held this August. A key item in the sale is a Hot Wheels Redlines Sir Rodney Roadster die-cast toy. In the 1960s, the co-founder of Mattel, Inc., Elliot Handler, envisioned a line of authentic toy cars that would dominate the market. To carry out this vision, Handler enlisted Harry Bradley, an esteemed auto designer for Chevrolet, to lead the toy design team. Today, Hot Wheels is one of the most recognized brands in the toy industry. Other highlighted pieces include a Vintage Midge in an original box and three Bubblecut Barbie dolls in black. The auction will also feature a rotating display tower full of Matchbox cars. A popular British toy brand, Matchbox was founded in 1953 by Lesney Products. Several Lionel toy trains such as the Santa Fe Lionel diesel locomotive and New York Central Lionel locomotive will be available as well. View the complete catalogs for both days of this auction by visiting Matthew Bullock Auctioneers.  

    Matthew Bullock Auction Gallery