Vintage toy nets $156,000 at auction: Why was it so valuable?
Share this @internewscast.com

(WJW) – A unique assortment of vintage toys and trains amassed over $2.5 million during a late May auction, with the top-priced toy selling for $156,000.

The assortment was sourced from the illustrious antique dealer Tom Sage Sr., based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as stated in a press release by Morphy Auctions. According to his obituary, Sage began collecting Lionel trains in the 1960s, eventually expanding his collection to include tin toys, mechanical banks, and boats.

“He had an eye for the finest things and only kept an item if it was in excellent condition,” per his obituary in The Morning Call.

Held on May 29 by Pennsylvania-based Morphy Auctions, the collection featured nearly 300 items. The piece that commanded the highest bid was a 1904 Ferris Wheel produced by the esteemed German company Marklin.

This Marklin Ferris Wheel, circa-1904, is one of only a handful known to exist. (Morphy Auctions)

“One of only three or four of its type known to exist, it was likely the nicest of that elite handful of survivors, retaining its six original gondolas, attractive stained glass, and original figures,” read the release. “It had passed down through the family of a gentleman who worked for a Brooklyn department store and had received the toy when the business closed down sometime before World War I. Its auction ride concluded at a buoyant $156,000.”

A clockwork-powered Marklin toy boat and a detailed Marklin limousine were also highly coveted items, going for $79,950 and $72,000, respectively, at auction.

“Part II” of the toy lot is going up for bid with Morphy Auctions in October.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Vols Stunned by Vanderbilt in First Defeat Since 2018

The Tennessee Volunteers concluded their regular season in traditional fashion by facing…

Shocking Revelation: Attorney Alleges Travis Turner Departed with Firearm – Full Statement Inside

BIG STONE GAP, Va. (WJHL) — Travis Turner’s family attorney has issued…

Trump’s Surprising Pardon of Ex-Honduran President Hernández Could Reshape U.S. Election Dynamics

TEGUCIGALPA – As Honduras gears up to elect its next president, the…

Heroic Sibling Rescue: How an Older Brother Saved His 10-Year-Old Sister in a Hawkins County ATV Accident

What began as a typical Saturday evening in Hawkins County quickly transformed…

Northwestern Secures $75 Million Agreement to Reinstate Federal Funding

In a significant move, Northwestern University has finalized an agreement with the…

Escalating Tensions: Russian Strikes Claim Lives in Kyiv Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push for Peace in Ukraine

KYIV – In the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv faced a deadly…

Gaza Ministry Reports Over 70,000 Palestinian Lives Lost in Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict

DEIR EL-BALAH – As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, the…

FC Alliance North Girls Triumph in State Championship Victory

A team from the FC Alliance North soccer club recently returned to…

Pope Concludes Turkey Visit, Sets Sights on Beirut to Inspire Hope Amid Lebanon’s Ongoing Challenges

ISTANBUL – Concluding his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV is now…

Renowned British Playwright and Oscar Winner Tom Stoppard Passes Away at 88

LONDON – Celebrated British playwright Tom Stoppard, renowned for his witty and…

Greene County Standoff Leads to Man Facing Multiple Attempted Murder Charges, Says Sheriff

A man has been arrested and charged with several counts of attempted…

Revitalize Your Community: How Small Business Saturday Empowers Local Shops and Drives Sales

In Johnson City, Tennessee, enthusiastic shoppers faced chilly temperatures on Saturday to…