Fairfield, Maine. November 20, 2008 - For over 40 years the firm of James D. Julia has been known for handling some of the finest quality collections with highly regarded finesse and tremendous success. Julia’s is also known for producing some of the best catalogs in the industry with quality photos and expert descriptions that go above and beyond enabling buyers to bid with greater confidence. Furthermore, Julia’s offers one of the most comprehensive marketing programs around and their results speak for themselves. The sale’s final gross was over $950,000, which yielded approximately 50% over the low estimate of items sold of approximately $637,000. In a time where many are shying away from an uncertain stock market, there is a greater interest in investing in tangible assets like quality antiques. As a result, the auction market is thriving while at the same time offering some marvelous opportunities for astute collectors who favor quality and condition.

Julia’s recent sale was highlighted in part by the Geraldine Gaba Estate of Scottsdale, Arizona. The late Mrs. Gaba’s superb collection of dollhouses and exquisite miniatures was one of the finest collections of its type to hit the market in many years. There had been a buzz about the estate among the collecting fraternity since the announcement of the auction. As a result, there was considerable anticipation about their offering that helped to make it such a special event. Mrs. Gaba’s Estate is to be sold over three separate auctions at Julia’s (her collections of fine Victorian furniture, artwork, and Historical Staffordshire are to be sold in February). This portion of the Gaba Estate alone grossed $316,250 against a pre-auction estimate of approximately $170,000, the proceeds of which are earmarked for charitable distribution to the American Cancer Society, the University of Arizona Medical School, and the Phoenix Zoo. Included were over 30 houses and room settings including Gottschalk, Hacker, homemade examples, as well as hundreds upon hundreds of top shelf miniature furniture pieces and accessories to fill these dwellings. Bidding was ferocious in house and through phone, absentee, and Internet bids.

Collectors were also delighted with over 60 individual and multi-piece lots consisting of the finest quality miniature accessories one could hope to find. These 19th Century Waltershausen furniture pieces offered in multi-piece lots included one lot consisting of a stunning sideboard with bone finials and incredibly delicate finish work, miniature desk, china cabinet, and other items that finished up at $3,737 against an estimate of $1,500-1,800. Another set including a Victorian sofa with red crushed velvet upholstery, charming parlor chairs, and ormolu brought $3,105 against expectations of $1,500-1,800. And a Gothic parlor set in blue velvet and a marble top table and other items beat out the same estimate to sell for $3,565.

Complete signed contemporary artisan parlor sets by Renee Isabelle with highly refined construction and floral decoration were also available and met with great enthusiasm. Isabelle’s incredibly detailed pieces are considered some of the finest available today. With intricate craftsmanship and artistry one wouldn’t expect, examples included a ten piece lot with two armoires, tables, demilune cabinet, and other items that changed hands at $3,737 (est. $1,000-1,500) and a seven piece lot including a marvelous lacquered Japanese design secretary, demilune sideboard, armoire, etc. that sold for $2,300 (est. $800-1,200).

Accessories to complement any advanced collector’s setting included many antique ormolu rarities such as a wonderful squirrel cage (sold $3,162), a revolving photo stand (sold $3,737) and a lot of six chandeliers (sold $3,565), each nearly tripling their respective estimates. Also up for bid were a few lots of rare silk dollhouse rugs from India and Eastern Europe that exhibit unbelievable detail and craftsmanship. Bidding was ferocious, with one of the lots hitting $2,530 versus expectations of $500-1,000. And to people the houses were various dollhouse dolls. Of particular interest was a selection of rare bisque European soldiers with their original accoutrements. A lot of two such soldiers with a miniature gilt fireplace brought $3,565 against an estimate of $1,200-1,500 while two separate los of four dolls apiece each sold for $3,450 against estimates of $1,500-1,800 and $1,000-1,500.

In the miniature real estate category were highly sought after examples including a gorgeous Mansard roof Dutch dollhouse with stone foundation and classic styling. This stunning abode sold for $8,625 against a $5,000-7,500 estimate. A fancy Hacker dollhouse with grand architectural features and a working elevator brought above its $3,500-5,000 estimate to sell for $6,900. And an exceedingly detailed “Mystery” house, so referred to as it is unknown who made these large houses with their textured facades, numerous rooms, and true to life features, was a good buy at $5,750, within expectations of $5,000-7,500.

This collection was joined by many fine dolls, rare toys, a wide variety of slot machines and other coin-op, quality advertising items including selections from the Phillip H. Morse Collection (vice chairman and co-owner of the Boston Red Sox), salesman samples, and much more.

A selection of dolls included a collection of five rare all-original Steiff dolls from a mammoth set featuring a horse drawn carriage included a black footman, coachman, stable worker, and riders. Having descended through the family of the original purchasers, this marked their first offering at public auction. Alas, the horse and carriage no longer exist after an unsuccessful attempt by the original owner to ride it down a hill. The dolls, though sold individually, will remain together having gone to a European collector bidding by telephone who bid a total of $24,150, ignoring estimates totaling $7,500-13,500. This instance proves once again that fresh to the market quality goods offered through a well-publicized auction is a recipe for success.

Other dolls included fine French and German characters. A very popular 15” BSW “Wendy” with blue glass eyes, captivating expression, and even her original box saw active bidding and ultimately stopped at $17,250 versus a $14,000-18,000 estimate. A favorite of this writer was an 18” Armand Marseille 231 known as “Fany”, the largest version this company produced. This delightful character with pouty features and nice modeling sold at the upper end of its $7,500-9,500 estimate for $9,200. A 12” Kestner 206 character with fully jointed composition body and a hint of a precocious smile melted a few hearts. Though small in size, the doll still did well, hitting $8,625 against an estimate of $7,500-9,500.

Desirable French dolls included a wonderful 14” Circle Dot Bru with a hint of a tongue, original kid body, and lots of charm that brought $11,500. Fashions included a marvelous 24” fully articulated wood bodied Jumeau fashion doll decked out in a gorgeous bridal gown and veil that sold for $6,900 within her $5,000-10,000 estimate.

A selection of rare toys included a version of Schoenhut milk wagon from the St. Clair Dairy Company (most likely from Illinois) that to date was the only one known. It set a new World Auction Record selling for $10,925, more than doubling its $4,500-6,500 estimate. An early clockwork Ives alligator with jointed body that would roll along in a lifelike fashion sold for $4,140 against a $1,500-2,500 estimate. And an Ives miniature railroad set with portions of its original box went to an internet bidder for $3,162 against a $1,750-2,200 estimate. A charming Austrian automaton of a rabbit in a head of cabbage who pokes his head in and out from the inside brought a strong $2,875 versus an estimate of $1,250-1,750.

Other groupings included a Western U.S. single owner collection of approximately 70 Lehmann tin windup toys, many of which retained their original boxes. These often quirky and always amusing German toys included several seldom seen examples as well as tried and true favorites, setting what is to believed to be several new World Auction Records. The showstopper was a popular Lehmann Autobus in wonderful condition with its original box that hit six times its $2,000-3,000 estimate to sell for a record $14,400. A scarce Lehmann Anxious Bride made for the French market with its original box labeled “La Fiancée Inquiete” was in outstanding condition. The cost for this rare opportunity was $7,200 over presale expectations of $2,000-3,000. A fanciful Lehmann Duo with its original box depicting a rooster pulling a two-wheeled egg cart with a little bunny enjoying the ride carried an estimate of $1,500-2,000 and sold for a record $6,325. A marvelous navy blue Lehmann Lila with its original box, perhaps one of the finest condition examples available also set a new record when it hit $7,200, surpassing its $3,500-5,500 estimate. A scarce Zulu friction toy in excellent condition of an ostrich pulling a two-wheeled cart surpassed expectations of $1,400-1,800 to sell for a record price of $5,750. And a scarce Lehmann Mensa three-wheeled windup delivery truck with its original box brought an astounding $7,800 versus a $1,250-2,200 estimate.

Coin-op included over 30 tabletop slots such as two rare Mills Baseball slot machines. One in fair original condition sold for $7,475 against a $4,000-6,000 estimate and a nicely restored example with the scarce embossed front surpassed its $5,500-7,500 estimate to land at $9,200. A nicely restored “Electricity is Life” shock machine standing over six feet with a fine oak case housing a dazzling papier-mâché dial and mechanism that emits up to a 55 volt shock to the brave soul willing to play the game. Having been on display in a doctor’s office in California for the last 30 years, it went to a bidder in attendance that paid $17,250 (est. $15,000-20,000). A rare Caille “A.C. Multi-Bell” slot machine with silver Art Deco styling and advanced mechanics (for the day) sold for $6,325, mid-way through its $5,500-7,500 estimate. A trio of figural slot machines with surrounds by Dick DeLong whose wood carvings serve as great working displays included a Mills War Eagle inside the chest of a fully decked Indian chief. It sold for $3,220, exceeding its estimate of $1,500-2,500. And a lot of three trade stimulators in as-is condition included a Mills Puritan Bell, Five Jacks, and a Dan-Dee fortune machine exceeded expectations of $1,250-1,750 to bring $2,415.

Music machines included a Regina 15” auto-changer in a phenomenal mahogany case featuring spiral columns, an intricate leaded glass front door, and a clock at the top. It descended through the family of the present consignor and sold for $35,075 against an estimate of $30,000-35,000. And of the exceedingly rare was an outstanding and elaborate coin-op Regina auto-changer music machine that would automatically change discs when one is completed. Believed to be one of only two known coin-op examples, it featured a bow front, barley twist side columns, and brass filigree castings housing a double comb mechanism. Estimated for $23,000-25,000, it went to a bidder in attendance for $25,875. And a marvelously restored Wurlitzer 1080 Colonial model jukebox sold for $10,350 against a $9,000-10,000 estimate.

The sale was rounded out by a medley of antique advertising and salesman samples. Included was a scarce early die-cut flange sign for Michelin tires that featured the popular mascot emblazoned on both sides. Ignoring its $800-1,200 estimate, it sold for $4,887. Soda advertising included a seldom seen version of the Coca-Cola leaded shade with the leaf border that sold for $6,900 versus an estimate of $5,000-6,000. A small collection of wooden Coca-Cola Kay displays included a lot of five (of a series of six) Kay Displays entitled “Work Refreshed” that focused on the various facets of the American workforce. Including Agriculture, Education, Communication, Industry, and Science, the set sold for $4,312 against an estimate of $2,000-3,000. A beautifully restored Coke Vendo 81 vending machine sold for $2,645 against a presale estimate of $1,000-1,500. And a WWII cardboard Coke festoon honoring U.S. naval ships finished up at $4,025, well exceeding expectations of $800-1,000.

Miscellaneous items included a number of salesman samples such as an outstanding wood and brass horse drawn snow plow on runners with its original wooden carrying case. It was a great trade at $7,475 just short of its estimate of $7,500-8,500. And a two-wheeled horse drawn cultivator sold just above its $1,500-2,500 estimate for $2,530.

Julia’s upcoming auctions include a fabulous antiques and fine art auction taking place February 5, 6, and 7 at Julia’s facilities in Fairfield, Maine. It will feature a vast array of over $2 Million, an important firearms and military memorabilia auction in March, and a glass and lamp auction in June followed by Julia’s next toy & doll auction also in June. Julia’s is currently accepting consignments for these and other upcoming auctions. Call immediately for inclusion in these exciting sales.

For more information, contact their offices at 207-453-7125. James D. Julia, Inc., P.O. Box 830, Dept. PR, Fairfield, ME 04937. E-mail: jjulia@juliaauctions.com.

Posted: 12|11|08 at 3:29 pm. Filed under: Press Release.