VINELAND, NJ.- With scores of world-record auction prices to its credit, Bertoia’s has carved an admirable legacy for itself in the field of antique toys. Unquestionably, many of the greatest toy collections of all time have passed through the New Jersey company’s doors. In working with the consignors of so many valuable and historically-significant toys, the Bertoia family has learned one indisputable fact: collectors rarely limit themselves.

“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of visiting the homes of many hundreds of antique toy collectors, and almost to the very last one, they’ve shared one thing in common – they love to collect ‘go-withs’ that cross over from other categories,” said Michael Bertoia, president of Bertoia Auctions. “For example, many collectors of antique toy cars also collect automotive- and petroleum-related art, advertising, decorative accessories, and real cars, sometimes even the actual vehicles on which their toys were based. This is what inspired the theme of our August 22nd auction, which we’re calling The Automobilia Sale. Everything to be sold has a connection to motoring and is something to which automotive toy collectors can also relate.”

The one-day, 535-lot sale is centered around two major collections. The first was amassed by David Bausch, a retired Lehigh County, Pennsylvania politician; lifelong toy collector, and founder of the Allentown Antique Toy Show & Sale, now in its 47th year. In Bausch’s accessories collection there are all sorts of motoring-related bronze figurines, trophies and awards, as well as automotive “smalls,” like cigarette cases, match safes, pocket watches, and gentlemen’s desktop novelties such as inkwells. In addition, throughout his toy-collecting journey Bausch acquired many fine posters, prints and other special artworks associated with transportation. Part I of his extensive archive is entered in the August 22 sale, with more to come in Bertoia’s fall sale.

The other featured collection in this month’s auction comes from noted Italian theatrical set designer Steno Tonelli and incorporates a broad variety of colorful petroliana. His holdings include enameled signs and other forms of advertising; more than two dozen vintage motor oil cans, motorcycle helmets and jackets; and race car ephemera.

But that’s not all. Bertoia’s will also roll out a Pennsylvania collector’s mini motor pool consisting of three dozen motorcycles, motorbikes, and gas-powered mopeds; plus vintage cycle gear. The high-octane mix of nostalgic two-wheelers includes an original Indian motorcycle, vintage Hondas, Vespas, and other productions from desirable brands.



Product containers with appealing graphics are always in demand. A top prize in Bertoia’s sale is a Valvoline Indian Oil 1-gallon oil can that was manufactured by Valvoline Oil Co., New York, for the Indian Motorcycle Co., of Springfield, Massachusetts. A very hard-to-find can in any sort of shape, the auction example presents in extraordinarily fine condition with strong colors and lithography, and the word WINTER stamped on one side. It measures 10 inches tall by 8 inches wide and retains its original lid. The pre-auction estimate is set at $10,000-$15,000.



An eye-catching original 1928 Goodyear Hillclimber poster in vivid colors features the image of a motorcyclist boldly soaring through the air. It is in Pristine condition, measures 24.5 inches by 36.5 inches, and is framed under glass. With provenance from the David Bausch collection, it comes to auction with a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.

A double-sided round porcelain dealership sign advertising Dodge Plymouth Approved Service measures 41 inches in diameter and was manufactured by Walker & Co., a Detroit firm that created many of Michigan’s finest and most imaginative retail signs and billboards during the first half of the 20th century. The Dodge Plymouth sign to be auctioned shows some scratches and edge wear from use, but overall, it is in Excellent condition. Estimate: $1,500-$2,500



A 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race felt pennant in an exceptionally fine state of preservation is a rare surviving memento of an early auto race organized by William K Vanderbilt Jr. First held in 1904 on Long Island, New York, the Vanderbilt Cup was the first international road race held in the US and was intended to promote American automotive technology by challenging European manufacturers with its lineup of top domestic drivers and cars. The 1910 pennant, which is 25 inches long, displays an incredible full-color image of a helmeted and goggled driver at the wheel of an open race car, with the Vanderbilt Cup trophy in the foreground. With provenance from the David Bausch collection, it is estimated at $800-$1,600.



A 9.5-inch figural desktop clock depicting a rider on a high-wheel bicycle is ingeniously designed so that the actual clock also doubles as the bike’s smaller rear wheel. Its condition is Excellent overall, with the only minor exception being an overwound spring that requires adjustment. A favorite novelty item from the David Bausch collection, it is estimated at $700-$1,400.



Among the dozens of life-size motorized vehicles that will be lined up and ready for inspection is a circa-1960s Simplex Model 1150 Senior Sportsman motor scooter powered by 175cc Briggs & Stratton 7hp four-stroke engine. Boasting all-original paint with nice decals, it is in Excellent “as-found” condition, following decades of dry barn storage in Pennsylvania. It will convey without a title but has its correct ignition key. Estimate: $1,000-$3,000



Another great item from the same consignor’s barn is a circa-1950 Schwinn Whizzer motor bicycle with a single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke motor. In “as-found” condition with no title, but graded Excellent overall, it will be offered with an estimate of $1,000-$2,000.



Those whose collecting interest may be focused solely on toy vehicles will not be left out of the fun, as the auction also offers an outstanding 130-lot assortment of Buddy ‘L,’ Kingsbury and other pressed-steel vehicles and pedal cars. A 25.5-inch-long Buddy ‘L’ Tank Line Sprinkler Truck with all-original paint includes its original sprinkler bar ad is in VG-Excellent condition. Estimate: $1,000-$2,000. Also, a 1949 AL-TOY CJ-2A “Jeep” Fire Truck in Excellent original condition (with one replaced hose) is expected to sell for $1,000-$2,000.

The Aug. 22, 2025 Automobilia Sale will be held live at Bertoia’s gallery located at 2141 DeMarco Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360, starting at 10AM ET. Toys may be previewed the week before the auction by appointment only. Other bidding options include absentee, by phone, or live online through Bertoia Live, LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable.

For additional information on any item, to leave an absentee bid, schedule a private-preview appointment, reserve a telephone line for bidding, or discuss consigning to a future auction at Bertoia’s, call 856-692-1881, email toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Watch for auction updates on Bertoia’s website: www.bertoiaauctions.com. Download Bertoia’s free app through the Apple Store or Google Play (for Android) and place bids or manage your account from anywhere.