Morphy’s two-part series exclusively featuring the Tom Sage Sr. antique toy and train collection tallies nearly $4 million

Second and final installment held Oct. 30 was dominated by rare German Marklin productions, including a circa-1904 hand-painted III-Gauge live steam train that sold for $123K against a $50K-$70K estimate

DENVER, Pa. – On October 30, a significant chapter in antique toy history came to a close as Morphy’s conducted the second and final auction dedicated exclusively to the collection of the late Tom Sage Sr (1939-2024). The gallery sale of 281 exceptional toys and trains achieved $1.35 million, bringing the series total to $3.95 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Consisting of premium-quality German, French and American toys of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Sage collection was carefully assembled over a period of more than 50 years. Tom was known far and wide for his encyclopedic knowledge of toys, which he developed organically by “handling the merchandise” he bought and sold. He was one of the very first to gamble on the idea of making a full-time living from “old toys,” an unheard-of concept in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Once he decided to take the leap into toy-trading as a profession, Tom quickly went from zero to 60, cultivating an enviable network of industry contacts with whom he transacted business for several decades. As he bought and resold toys and trains, he also astutely acquired special pieces for his own collection. It was that select grouping, which he kept and enjoyed throughout his life, that was auctioned at Morphy’s.

The October 30 session was dominated by the premier name in German antique toy manufacture: Marklin. The day’s top-selling lot was a rare circa-1904 Marklin hand-painted III-gauge live steam LNWR locomotive (Cat. Ref. E4023) with tender and dining car with three original figures (Cat. Refs. 1842/3). Although 121 years old, it still presented in Excellent condition and, as noted in Morphy’s auction catalog, it might possibly achieve a higher grade if professionally cleaned. One of the finest trains in the entire Sage collection, it sold for $123,000 against an estimate of $50,000-$70,000.

Made specifically for export to the US market, a hand-painted circa-1904 Marklin II-Gauge E2 live steam train set consisted of an E2 live steam locomotive and two coaches with NPRR markings, one in blue and the other in red. In Excellent condition, this set well exceeded its $12,000-$18,000, settling at $33,000. 

An 18-inch-long Marklin Cat. Ref. 4070 functional live-steam-powered fire truck came with its original hose reels and hoses, as well as four period firefighters and three contemporary firefighters. Its magnificent brass boiler showed off all of its original fittings. Overall, the toy was in Excellent to NM condition. Regarded as one of the Sage collection’s premier pieces, it had originally become known to the toy hobby when it surfaced at a New England antique show in the early 1980s. Forty years have passed since that discovery, but its rarity factor has not changed, with very few of its type known to exist. The truck from the Sage collection sold at Morphy’s for $98,400.

Marklin excelled in replicating all modes of early 20th-century transportation, including the mighty ships at sea. An example of their hand-painted clockwork George Washington 4-stack ocean liner took pride of place in the Sage collection. An impressive 3ft-long craft, it was graded Excellent with the potential of achieving a higher grade if professionally cleaned. It finished within estimate, for $66,000. A 25½-inch Marklin Cat. Ref. 5120 hand-painted clockwork-powered Brooklyn battleship was assessed to be in Excellent to NM condition and was accompanied by its original stand. It came with the ultimate provenance, having once been in the collection of publishing tycoon and eminent toy collector Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990). The Brooklyn ended its bidding run at $56,580 against an estimate of $30,000-$50,000.

Continuing Marklin’s auction dominance, a hand-painted 9-inch-long auto sported a wonderful early look, with its gilt-trimmed red body, white rubber wheels and original center headlight. In VG to Excellent condition, it captured collectors’ attention, selling for $28,800, nearly five times its high estimate. An identical price was paid for a NM Marklin Cat. Ref. 5416 hand-painted clockwork-powered aeroplane with primitive styling and, importantly, its two original figures. 

It wasn’t a complete shut-out for Marklin, however. An outstanding circa 1909-1912 hand-painted Carette (Germany) clockwork limousine in a scarce maroon color was offered with its original box. The toy had been very well preserved over the past century, retaining its original tires, headlamps and beveled glass windows. With a period driver and three female passengers, it was graded NM-Mint condition and sold for $46,740 against an estimate of $30,000-$40,000.

Also, an American-made (Baltimore, Md) Voltamp II-Gauge United Electric 8-wheel trolley, 16 inches long with closed ends and its original “people-catcher,” was an attractively-finished example in bright red with a forest-green roof and gold lettering. It sped to $31,200 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

After the hammer fell on the final lot, Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions, commented: “It was a huge honor for us to handle Tom Sage’s collection. He was a true visionary and a master of his profession but always remained a collector at heart. It’s not likely that we’ll ever see another toy and train collection quite like his.”

To discuss consigning antique or vintage toys, trains, banks or other quality collectibles to a future auction at Morphy’s, call Dan Morphy personally at 877-968-8880 (tollfree) or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at https://www.morphyauctions.com.