Bertoia's May 29-30 Spring Auction featuring two major toy collections tallies nearly $1.9 million

VINELAND, N.J. - July 13, 2026 - PRLog -- A phenomenal circa-1906 Bing (German) gauge 4 toy locomotive soared to $78,000; a rare, contemporary Old Woman in the Shoe mechanical bank rang up $36,000; and a ¼-inch-scale salesman sample of a 1922 Autocar rotary dump body truck made $25,200 at Bertoia's Spring Auction held May 29-30. The event was highlighted by Part 2 of the Martin and Deborah Maloy toy collection.

The auction tallied nearly $1.9 million (inclusive of buyer's premium) and included high-quality toys, banks, trains, robots, and pre-war Japanese toys from the Bill Gallagher collection, as well as a great assortment of German wind-ups, pressed-steel toys and more.

"This was truly an amazing auction, filled with items of the highest quality," said Jeanne Bertoia, co-founder and owner of Bertoia Auctions. "The toy train world was abuzz in advance of the sale, and the prices realized for many lots were double, triple, even quadruple the high estimates. Other categories performed well, too, as bidders aggressively sought to fill the gaps in their collections."

The circa-1906 Bing (German) gauge 4 (75mm) toy locomotive was the overall top lot of the auction, easily breezing past its $10,000 high estimate to finish at $78,000. The massive live-steam train, hand-painted in LSWR livery, was one of the largest locomotives Bing made, at 15 inches in length. The authentic tender was incredible. There were blemishes, but overall the engine was pristine.

The 7-inch-tall Old Woman in the Shoe mechanical bank was a very rare example, with fewer than 10 created. Made of lead and brass, the contemporary limited-edition example is widely regarded as the most recognizable mechanical bank today. A brass plate on the underside denoted the limited edition. In Near Mint condition, it more than tripled its $10,000 high estimate in bringing $36,000.

A ¼-inch-scale salesman's sample of a 1922 Autocar rotary dump truck, one of only five known to exist, was massive, both in size (52 inches in length) and weight. It was powered by an electric motor that raised and lowered the dump bed and displayed incredible realistic detailing. Of mostly brass construction, the truck's $25,200 selling price easily bested the $8,000 high estimate.

Bertoia Auctions is currently accepting high-quality toys, banks, holiday antiques and collectibles for their future sales. Bertoia Auctions' president, Michael Bertoia, welcomes the opportunity to discuss the consignment process with collectors, whether they have a single piece or an entire collection. Tel. 856-692-1881 or email toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Keep up with Bertoia's via their website: www.bertoiaauctions.com.