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.

An all-time classic, a boxed Anderson & Co. Chautauqua Weedless Trolling Hook Minnow bobbed to the top of prices realized at $27,600, followed by a Heddon Dowagiac Mascallonge Minnow at $26,400

DENVER, Pa. – On October 25, collectors of antique fishing tackle bid aggressively on rare antique lures from the Wayne and Lori Edens collection at Morphy’s third and final installment of an auction series that debuted 10 months ago. Acknowledged to be the largest, most comprehensive and historically-important collection of its type ever to come to the public marketplace, the Edens trove went out on a high note, realizing $700,000. Combined with the proceeds from Parts I and II, the October session pushed the series grand total to a robust $2.65 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium.

Topping the 635-lot selection was an all-time classic lure – or “bait,” as seasoned fishermen would say – a Chautauqua Weedless Trolling Hook Minnow. It was produced by Anderson & Company of Jamestown, New York, from a design patented by Krantz & Smith in 1909, a detail confirmed by the stamping on the bait’s tailfin. The auction example was completely intact with a handsome copper finish that has survived the tests of time quite admirably. Graded VG, it was described in Morphy’s catalog as being one of only three known survivors with an original factory box, which is correctly marked COPPER on both ends. Against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000, it leaped to a lofty $27,600.

Swimming closely behind was an impressive 7¾-inch-long Heddon 747 in an uncataloged special-order color blending red and purple. Identified in VL&A’s 1917 catalog as the Dowagiac Mascallonge Minnow, it displayed black hand-painted gills and bellyweights still sealed under its paint. With both glass eyes intact and graded in Excellent-Minus condition, it floated to $26,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$20,000

One of the most elusive and historically-significant Heddons in the sale, a circa-1910 Night-Radiant Moonlight Bait with a bulbous head had clear glass eyes, spotless hardware, and appeared never to have been fished. It came with its correct box, a “Care & Use” insert and a “Special Notice” insert advising fishermen to bring their lanterns with them, presumably to observe the bait’s night luminescence. This bait is the exact example shown on Page 90 of the book The Heddon Legacy, in which it is described as one of only a couple ever found with the original box and papers. Never cataloged, it originated in the Heddon factory archives, making it even more desirable. In VG condition and estimated at $4,000-$15,000, it rose to $20,400.

A coveted 2-hook rimless cup Slopenose bait was made in early 1902, during the first 5-6 weeks of Heddon’s production. It is one of only three known examples accompanied by the ultra-rare Heddon introductory black box with silver printing. The bait, itself, displayed the correct “chalky” white paint. Its hand-painted, friction-fit, red-painted aluminum collar had been locked in place for over 120 years. It also retained its brass ties, tail cap, and most importantly, its rimless belly cup. Surpassing its high estimate, it settled at $15,600.

A stunning Heddon Musky Minnow Black Sucker bait was assessed as so exceptional, it would easily qualify as being in the top 1% of all Black Suckers. With a cream-colored belly with tones of pink down the sides and a blended black back stripe, it had never been fished. Accompanied by its impressive extra-large “Downleaping Bass” pictorial box, it was bid to $11,070 against a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. 

Another crowd-pleaser was a circa-1905 Heddon high-forehead 154 Dowagiac Underwater Minnow bait with a bright red body that contrasted beautifully with long, sweeping black hand-painted gills that fully extended into its first cups. With shiny unstamped spinners, all-brass hardware and flawless glass eyes, it came in its correct slide-top “hung” wooden box with strong markings and the correct model and color designations on both ends. It sold just below its high estimate, for $9,840.

From Immell Bait Co. (Blair, Wis.), a museum-quality pike-size Chippewa lure finished in the Fancy Sienna No. 44 color had shiny hardware, crystal-clear eyes and was assessed to be in strong Excellent condition. It appeared never to have been fished and came with its crisp original box. Against a $600-$1,200 estimate, it was chased to $8,400.

An extremely rare Heddon Dowagiac 300BH Game Fish Minnow was eye-catching in its special-order green and yellow color palette with spotless hardware and perfect glass eyes. Smooth and glossy, earning an Excellent Plus rating, it crossed the auction block with its original box and garnered a winning bid of $8,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-$2,000.

To discuss consigning antique or vintage fishing lures, sports memorabilia, or any high-quality antique, artwork or collectible to a future auction at Morphy’s, whether it’s a single item or an entire collection, please call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.