VINELAND, N.J. - If there were a World Cup for antique toys, the name engraved on the trophy quite likely would be that of K-B Toys co-founder and toy collector extraordinaire Donald Kaufman. The late Mr. Kaufman's incomparable array of antique and vintage toys - a blue-ribbon panoply of pre- and postwar production - has fascinated and seduced hobbyists the world over since Bertoia Auctions' 2008 announcement that the collection was to be sold.

 With three Kaufman auctions from the ongoing series now completed and the $9.3 million subtotal confirmed as the highest amount ever achieved at auction by a single-owner antique toy collection, it's time for collectors to assume a "now or never" mindset, said Bertoia Auctions' owner Jeanne Bertoia.

"It's hard to believe that so much of the collection has been sold, but we're now in the midst of planning part four of the collection, which will be auctioned on September 24th and 25th," Jeanne said. "The two-day session will represent the last of the European autos from Don's collection - this is it - but I think everyone is going to be very pleased to see that the quality of the European autos in part four is just as strong as in the previous sessions. We planned it that way." Jeanne noted that in spring of 2011 there will be a final, one-day sale to conclude the auction of the Kaufman toys, but that particular session will not include European toy vehicles.

PITTSBURGH - Ray Haradin's Old Toy Soldier Auctions operates in a world of miniature antiques, but prices on top lots were strictly big league in the company's May 1 auction featuring the collections of John Graham (part III), brothers Bill and Don Thompson, and other consignors.

"At $229,000 with 99 percent of the lots sold, it was, by far, our best sale to date," said Haradin. "I was thrilled with the result."

The 645-lot auction inventory featured an extraordinary toy soldier collection that was established in the 1940s by two brothers from Chicago, Don and (the late) Bill Thompson. When their family moved to California in 1947, the boys' carefully wrapped and boxed toys made the journey as well, but they would remain in quiet storage until 2009, when they were unwrapped and assessed for auction purposes.

VINELAND, N.J. - The dreams of thousands of toy collectors worldwide have come true since last March when Bertoia's launched a semiannual series of auctions to disperse the renowned Donald Kaufman Collection. Last September when the hammer fell on the closing lot for part II of the series, the incomparable collection of American, European and Japanese toys had already taken in $7.2 million, with much more to come. But many wondered if the massive Kaufman toy box had finally been depleted of its premier examples. Rich Bertoia, who cataloged much of the Kaufman collection, chuckled at the thought of the ultimate wellspring of antique toys running dry. 

"If you liked parts I and II, you'll love part III," he said. "It's absolutely the same high level of quality plus there's the added attraction of part I of Don's wonderful comic character toys. The only difference collectors will note this time around is that, sadly, Don will not be with us." Donald Kaufman passed away on Oct. 12, 2009, knowing his toys were in the best of hands at Bertoia's, and delighted that so many had already gone to fellow collectors in dozens of countries. 

The third installment of the ongoing series, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, 2010, at Bertoia Auctions' gallery in Vineland, N.J., will feature Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Collectors can expect to see a diverse mix of classic cast-iron, pressed-steel, comic character and European toys in superior condition. "There was only one way that Don liked his toys - factory fresh, or very close to it," said Rich. 

COLOGNE, Germany - Toy specialists Antico Mondo's auction no. 43 on Dec. 12 will contain more than 1,500 lots of mostly 20th-century toys of all kinds. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. The auction will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. Central European Time, 3 a.m. Eastern.

The auctioneers will warm up by starting with approximately 115 lots of boxed Matchbox vehicles. More than 50 of those lots will have multiple items. About 180 boxed Corgi toys will follow.

Car collectors will have their pick of several rare tin windups. One Tipp Co. model has become known as the Eva Braun Sedan Car. In its plain original box, the car is expected to sell for between $20,000 and $33,000. Antico Mondo claims that it is one of only two known examples.

Another prize is a Marklin's prewar Central Station with Side-Hall and Bell (2651) for 0 gauge. The beautifully detailed tin structure carries a $19,400-$31,800 estimate.

 PITTSBURGH - Ray Haradin's Old Toy Soldier Auctions will present a 640-lot selection of antique and vintage figures in an absentee, phone and Internet auction closing Nov. 21. The spotlight will focus on two important collections known to toy soldier enthusiasts worldwide: the late Dr. James "Doc" Wengert's collection of figures, vehicles and other scale-model toys related to military medicine; and the 30-year Britains collection of Deutschebank managing director Vincent C. Banker.

A third-generation physician, Doc Wengert was a U.S. Navy flight surgeon who served in Vietnam. Later in his career, Wengert changed his specialty to psychiatry and worked at V.A. hospitals in his native Nebraska. Throughout his life he harbored an interest in military medical figures - doctors, nurses, orderlies, stretcher bearers, wounded soldiers - and all the accoutrements a collector might desire in setting up a miniature M.A.S.H. unit, like operating tents, field kitchens, rescue dogs and emergency vehicles.

Doc Wengert was well respected among his fellow collectors. "He had a deep knowledge of the history of military medicine, and he never missed attending the Chicago Toy Soldier Show," said the event's co-promoter Steve Sommers. "He could spot a Red Cross on a made-in-Japan tin bus across a crowded flea market. No paint variation or casting difference in a figure was too subtle for Doc's eye."

VINELAND, N.J. – The March 2009 auction debut of the Donald Kaufman Collection set a new house record for Bertoia’s at $4.2 million. Collectors who enjoyed the blue-chip offerings in the March sessions will find a similar second helping awaits at Kaufman Part II, slated for Sept. 25-26, 2009 at Bertoia Auctions’ gallery in Vineland, New Jersey. More than 1,100 lots, offered with no reserve, incorporate European tin, American cast iron, pressed steel and pedal cars; biscuit tins, postwar Japanese cars and prewar Japanese airplanes. As with all Bertoia sales, Internet live bidding will be available through www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

The sale includes a panoramic array of toys by Marklin, the premier name in early to mid-20th century toy production. The bounty includes roadsters, sedans and other auto lines, as well as an example of the toy considered the ultimate in Marklin design: the 1890s live-steam-powered fire pumper. Like most Marklin rarities, the pumper “comes with a platinum price tag,” said Bertoia Auctions’ co-founder and owner, Jeanne Bertoia. “It’s estimated at $40,000 to $60,000.”