Bertoia Auctions to sell Dr. Robert Booth’s mechanical bank collection Sept. 25

Bertoia Auctions will lead its Sept. 25 Mechanical Banks & Cast-Iron Toys sale with more than 100 mechanical banks from the late Dr. Robert E. Booth Jr.’s collection. The auction in Vineland, New Jersey, also features cast-iron toys, doorstops and other Americana from several notable collections.

Why it matters: - Dr. Robert E. Booth Jr. assembled one of America’s best private collections of Americana and folk art. - The sale gives collectors a rare chance to buy mechanical banks and related toys with strong provenance, including pieces from several established collections. - The auction also broadens beyond banks, with cast-iron toys, doorstops and pressed-steel toys drawing added interest.

What happened: - Bertoia Auctions will hold a Mechanical Banks & Cast-Iron Toys Auction on Friday, Sept. 25, at its gallery in Vineland, New Jersey. - The sale is being headlined by the late Dr. Booth’s mechanical bank collection. - More than 100 rare mechanical banks from the Booth collection will be offered exclusively in the September auction. - Additional material comes from the collections of Tony LaSala, Ira Bernstein, Bob Brady and Max Berry.

The details: - The top Booth lot is a Mikado mechanical bank made circa 1886 by Kyser & Rex. - The Mikado is a rare blue-table version and one of only a few known to exist. - Bertoia estimates the Mikado at $25,000-$40,000. - Another Booth highlight is the Butting Ram – Man Thumbs Up, the only mechanical bank produced by Wagner & Zwiebel Mfg. of Wisconsin. - The Butting Ram is in all-original condition and carries an estimate of $5,000-$8,000. - A J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, a scarce thin-base version from the pedestal series, is also estimated at $5,000-$8,000. - The Milking Cow is all original, free of repairs and in excellent to pristine condition. - A Carpenter DeLuxe Burning Building cast-iron toy, made circa 1892, is estimated at $8,000-$14,000. - The toy is two stories high, 20 inches tall and assembled mostly from original factory parts. - A mechanical Alphabet Man, also known as the Yankee Schoolmaster, is estimated at $8,000-$12,000. - From the Bob Brady collection, the Caddy doorstop carries an estimate of $1,500-$2,500. - A Hubley Messenger Boy doorstop has an estimate of $1,200-$1,800. - A Bradley & Hubbard Topsy blinking-eye clock has an estimate of $1,200-$1,800. - From the Ira Bernstein collection, a boxed Sehloff 1930 Packard Speedster toy car is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. - An Arcade REO Royale coupe is also estimated at $1,000-$2,000. - A Converse Pierce-Arrow touring auto is estimated at $700-$1,400. - From the Max Berry collection, a Reynolds Toy Collector mechanical bank is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. - The sale also includes a grouping of Dayton, Republic and Schieble hillclimber toys for pressed-steel collectors.

Between the lines: - Dr. Booth’s collection has already been seen by some collectors at the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America Convention in Philadelphia. - That preview likely adds buzz and may intensify bidding for the strongest pieces with the clearest provenance. - The lineup suggests Bertoia is leaning into a specialized fall season built around established names and condition-sensitive toy rarities.

What’s next: - The auction starts at 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 25 at 2141 DeMarco Drive in Vineland, New Jersey. - Preview is available by appointment only during the week before the sale. - Bidding will be available in person, by absentee, by phone and online through Bertoia Live and LiveAuctioneers. - More information is available by calling 856-692-1881, emailing toys@bertoiaauctions.com, or visiting the company’s website.

The bottom line: - Bertoia’s September sale is built around a deep, provenance-rich group of mechanical banks from Dr. Booth, plus select cast-iron and tin toys aimed at serious collectors.