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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 45, NO. 26 FRIDAY JUNE 27, 2014
Old Toy Soldier Auctions To Offer Lifetime Collection Of James A. Henderson As Centerpiece Of 1,500-Lot Sale On June 27-29
The elusive Britains Royal Marine Light Infantry Band, boxed (not shown), is estimated at $12,000-$15,000.
ld Toy Soldier’s (OTSA) November 2013 auction grossed a record-setting $590,000 for the Pennsylvaniabased company, but owner Ray Haradin thinks that record may soon be shattered. Over the course of three days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 27 to 29, OTSA will present the James A. Henderson collection, an assemblage of soldiers that Haradin describes as “the most exciting collection [he has] handled to date,” as the featured highlight of its approximately 1,500-lot auction. One of America’s top executives, Henderson retired from Cummins Engine Co. Inc. after a distinguished 35-year career. He held senior leadership positions at Cummins beginning in 1977, when he was appointed president and chief operating officer. Eventually he rose to the ranks of chairman and CEO. In his free time, Henderson avidly collected Britains. “James Henderson has always appreciated
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Greenhill/Courtenay knights custom made for Old Toy Soldier Auctions and ranging in price from $200-$2,000.
A Hocker Band Stand is one of many newer production sets to be sold in the June 27 session.
provenance, and his collection is filled with rarities formerly in the collections of His A Britains special paint band commissioned for H.R.H., the Duke of Gloucester, is estimated Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, at $9,000-$12,000. Britains’ Archive, Malcolm Forbes and were a Germanic style of largerscale, hollowcast figures that Britains only prod u c e d between 1893 and 1897. Very few figures have surv i v e d Britains Germanic-style Royal Scots Greys, estimate $12,000-$15,000, from the A and Royal Fusiliers, est. $7,000-$9,000, as pictured on the cover of James production Opie’s “Great Book of Britains.” These are selections from more than 30 Greenwood and Ball figures with estiruns of these mates ranging from $100 to $1,000. two sets, so to find either set in a complete Dockyard, a famous and historical toy and model shop in Glasgow, Scotland, that Ed Ruby,” said Haradin. “He started collect- state is almost unheard of,” said Haradin. The figures from sets No. 6 and 7 have opened in 1789 and operated through the ing in the early 1980s and was very active plugged-in arms that are attached by an early 1970s. The displays have a tin base to through the turn of the 21st century, with an emphasis on buying from ‘name’ collections.” interior rod. Because the arms were sepa- which mounted figures were affixed. The The Henderson collection will be the rately cast, Britains could adapt them to displays could be rolled through the store via exclusive focus of the Saturday, June 28, hold a rifle or trumpet. After a brief five- tracks attached beneath their platforms, thus session. Two of the top entries are a Britains year run, this particular type of arm was rendering the impression of soldiers marchset No. 6, the Royal Scots Greys (est. replaced by a moveable arm, Haradin said. ing. There are eight such displays, with estiAnother special treat in the Henderson mates ranging from $1,500 to $7,000. $12,000-$15,000), and set No. 7, the Royal (Continued on page 4) Fusiliers ($7,000-$9,000). Both sets are collection is the selection of extremely rare and desirable Britains Paris Office sets. complete, carry provenance from the Ed Ruby collection, and are featured on the Produced for only a short time starting in cover of James Opie’s “The Great Book of 1905, figures from Britains’ French subsidiary are identifiable primarily by their Britains.” “These two sets are, arguably, the most paint style, but many are marked “Depose,” desirable sets Britains ever made. They Haradin said. “After the Paris branch closed, the molds were sent to Britains’ headquarters in England, so the only sure way to identify the Paris productions is by the paintwork, which is quite distinctive.” Also in the Henderson collection are a number of special-order pieces that were painted per the customer’s request at Britains’ factory. Among the rare, commissioned items to be auctioned is a Scots Guard Pipe Band set, which was formerly The unique boxed Britains Set 1204 Terrain the property of The Duke of Gloucester and is estimated at $9,000-$12,000. Terrier, is estimated at $3,000-$5,000. A. Henderson, retired chairman and Previously part of the Ed Ruby James CEO of Cummins Engine Co. Inc., at home collection, several Britains displays were with prized pieces from his collection dismade especially for the Clyde Model played in a showcase.
This Britains Paris Office Dragoons is estimated at $5,000-$7,000.
Here are five of eight Clyde Model Dockyard displays that will be sold as separate lots with estimates ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 each.