VINELAND, NJ.- The list of high-profile collectors who’ve sold their toys at Bertoia’s is a long and impressive one that includes Stan Sax, Donald Kaufman, Dick Claus, Donal Markey, and most recently, Max Berry – all giants of antique toy hobby. But sometimes the Bertoia family likes to host an auction that draws from a broad base of collectors with many different interests and specialties. On May 8-9, 2015, just such a sale will take place at Bertoia’s gallery, with approximately 1,400 diverse lots that encompass the categories of cast iron, tin, paper on wood, pressed steel, mechanical and still banks; comic character toys, early trains and figural cast-iron doorstops.

“We wanted to launch into spring with a broadly mixed sale where everyone could find something great for their collection,” said Rich Bertoia, describing the goal behind the event titled ‘In May We Play.’ “Collectors really go for our multiple consignor sales because they get to dip into many different collections and see the great toys other collectors have found over the years,” Bertoia said.

The cast-iron automotive section includes more than 150 vehicles – autos, buses, farm and work vehicles; as well as numerous toy gas stations, mostly of tin. Both American and European stations are represented, and many are examples that have never been seen before at any Bertoia sales.

Highlighting the light pressed steel grouping is Part I of the late Bill Moody’s Metalcraft advertising trucks. “Bill had one of the best Metalcraft collections known,” Bertoia noted. Within the colorful selection are vans, dump trucks, tow trucks and more.

The lineup is joined by an abundance of light pressed steel trucks and cars by various manufacturers, as well as heavy pressed steel toys, including an extremely rare Buddy ‘L’ tugboat, one of less than a handful known.

Pedal toys will follow, with top entries including the only known electric-drive Packard pedal car, and an extremely rare Hispano-Suiza pedal car. The owner of the latter vehicle also consigned more than a dozen Hispano-Suiza toy cars, each a hand-painted, faithful representation of a real Hispano-Suiza car of the 1920s

The European nautical category includes both a Marklin ocean liner and battleship; a very nicely detailed Carette battleship, and a fine collection of hand-painted lead ships. Rounding out the fleet are early tin penny toy ships, some from the latter 19th century.

American paper-over-wood toys range from ships to arks with animal pairs to Soldier Scissors die-cuts on foldable wood. Also, glass-eyed and painted-eye Schoenhuts will march across the auction block, including a group lot of very rare band members and many Teddy Roosevelt Safari figures, including Teddy, natives and a cameraman.

For those who like detail in diminutive form, Bertoia’s will offer miniature doll furniture, a few dollhouses, and several room displays and shops. A butcher shop and spice shop room display – both by Gottschalk – came from the same family collection.

Nearly 250 lots of trains will cross the New Jersey gallery’s railroad tracks, most coming from the late Michael Cann’s collection. Cann was especially fond of later Marklin trains. Part I of his railroad assemblage includes both American and European outline trains, and some made for the English market. Numerous coaches will be offered in lots, some with their original boxes. Cann also collected cast-iron steam engines – especially those by Marklin – and had many rare examples, such as the Crocodile. Train aficionados also can look forward to bidding on 25 lots of very rare, early Ives trains and train-car lots; and the last of the trains consigned to Bertoia’s from the collection of the late Frank Loveland.

More than 100 superior-quality figural cast-iron doorstops from Jeanne Bertoia’s private collection form an exciting addition to the sale. A noted authority and author on the subject or doorstops, Jeanne has spent decades amassing and refining her exquisite collection, which includes beautiful florals, buildings, people, animals and extremely rare novelties such as an English-made Punch and Judy in near-mint condition.

The collection contains a number of birds from Hubley’s Fred Everett-designed series, including Pheasants, Double Quail, and Three Geese, all in flawless condition. Featured among the coveted grouping of Bradley & Hubbard productions are an extremely rare Sitting English Bulldog, a large, painted Turkey (the only version of this type known to Jeanne Bertoia), a large Owl, and a whimsical Art Deco Winking Cat.

Also coming from Jeanne Bertoia’s figural cast iron collection are five sensational lawn sprinklers, a few of which are old store stock in absolutely mint condition. Among them are a Mermaid, Turtle, Alligator, Wood Duck, and a Bradley & Hubbard Mallard. Alongside the lawn sprinklers are several very rare figural cast-iron string holders, also from Bertoia’s private collection. They include pristine to mint examples of Fairy Godmother, Ice Skater, and Lady at the Mirror.

“Collectors should expect some surprises in this sale, because there definitely will be some,” said Jeanne. “This will be a very enjoyable way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. We look forward to welcoming all of our friends at the gallery.”

Bertoia’s In May We Play Auction will be held May 8-9, 2015 at Bertoia Auctions’ gallery, 2141 DeMarco Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, phone or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.