It’s definitely a seller’s market these days.  With what some may consider a dearth of fresh, great condition, quality antiques hitting the market, dealers and collectors are snatching them up whenever they do come up for auction.  Of course, simple laws of supply and demand dictate that one needs to pay a premium price.  At auctions it means bid high or else be left in the dust.  James D. Julia’s recent auction showed such strong competition among bidders for the over 500 diverse lots those in attendance were aghast by how high the bids were reaching.
    One of the centerpieces was an extremely rare cast iron Arcade armored car made for Brinks in the 1930s that was likely never offered commercially but specifically for the Brinks firm.  Arcade’s trucks normally had a tin bottom, but to suggest the greater security of the actual trucks, this truck was made with a cast iron bottom, gun turrets, and was embossed with the Brinks logo in gold on the sides.  One of only three or four in existence, it sold for $34,500.
   Other cast iron included a selection of mechanical banks that was underscored by a marvelous and rare Mason bank with its original box.  Condition was key and this example had it in spades.  It went to the bidder willing to pay $13,225, ignoring the $4,000/6,000 estimate.  Also quite impressive, a desirable Kyser and Rex "Boy Stealing Watermelon" bank with outstanding paint sold for $6,325, likewise exceeding its $1,500/2,500 estimate.
   With a following all their own, collectors of gas powered tether racers (or "Spindizzies" as the cars are sometimes called) were treated to a rare opportunity to bid on 30 of these outstanding vehicles.  Created to race around a circular track and unbelievable speeds, these cars (don’t call them toys!) are just as impressive under the hood as the body work on the outside.  Known to hit speeds nearing 200 miles per hour, one goes to these competitions to hear the race, not watch it.  You can’t see them!  The collection contained some rare examples by some of the best known makers in the field such as a 1933 Butch Marx Gus Schrader Special, one of only three ever built, it was considered one of the best gas racers around.  It saw heavy action, bringing $5,750 against a $2,000/3,000 estimate and a Jim Carmellini "one-off" racer powered by a rare Black Panther 10c.c gas ignition engine also sped past its estimate to bring $4,887.
  Other toys included a rare Schoenhut Supplee Milk wagon in excellent condition, all the way down to retaining its original horse, driver, and accessories.  It set a new World Auction Record at $10,350 against a $3,000/5,000.  A marvelous Karr blue enameled stove with a most seldom seen original box presented a rare opportunity; things heated up well above its $2,000/3,000 estimate to simmer at $6,325.
   A splendid selection of dolls was also offered.  Culled from prized collections and estates from across the United States, a variety of subcategories included fine French fashions, googlies, French and German bisques, and the increasingly popular Chinese Door of Hope dolls.  First created in the early 1900s, the dolls were a result of American missionaries wanting to help young Chinese women avoid the trend towards prostitution and establish marketable skills.  Carved from pear wood with the most captivating expressions and individuality, Door of Hope dolls have gained a growing league of collectors in recent years. A rare policeman (pictured below) with tasseled pointed cap (est. $2,000/2,500) sold for $5,175 while a 6" Door of Hope kindergarten child (est. $500/1,000) sold for $4,025.
   A fine assortment of French and German bisque dolls made bidders sit up and take notice.  An exceedingly rare Figure "E" Steiner bebe with deep blue gray paperweight eyes, finely painted features, long blonde wig, and original fully jointed body sold within her $20,000/30,000 estimate for $23,575.  Perhaps even more scarce and desirable was a seldom found Simon & Halbig 1303 character doll of an East Asian lady made for the French market.  Olive tinted bisque with amazing detail and realism, complete with the Bindi on her forehead, she was dressed in an exotic costume of multilayered fabric.  Expected to sell for $20,000/30,000 bids climbed to $25,300.  On the smaller scale, a petite cabinet size Jumeau size 1 with exquisite facial features and piercing blue paperweight eyes more than doubled her estimate of $3,500/4,500 to bring $8,050.  A slightly larger 11" Tete Jumeau 2 ready for a new wardrobe but was perfect besides brought $6,900 against a $2,500/3,500 estimate.
   A single owner collection of googlies with their humorous oversized side-glancing eyes included a marvelous 15" Kestner #221 in a red dress with lace trim and matching hat.  She ignored her $3,500/5,500 estimate to bring an eye popping $7,187. A 21-1/2" Hertel & Schwab Campbell Kid style googlie with molded hair and delicate smile sold for $6,440 against expectations of $1,800/2,200.
  From the same collection, a terrific grouping of French fashion dolls focused on quality and was highlighted in part by an 18" articulated wood body fashion.  Dressed for a night on the town, complete with lorgnette, fan, and wrap, she carried a pre-auction estimate of $4,000/6,000 and went out at $4,600.  But it was a marvelous 16" Bru smiling fashion doll on a fully articulated wood body that stole the show.  Her sublime look combined with her excellent overall condition projected her past her $3,500/4,500 estimate to $8,337.
  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: info@jamesdjulia.com