PITTSBURGH, PA.- When it comes to sourcing premium-quality antique and vintage toy soldiers, all roads lead to Pittsburgh, home of Old Toy Soldier Auctions. Throughout the year, OTSA presents both online-only auctions containing excellent goods for every budget, and twice-yearly platinum-level auctions that feature exceptionally high-quality sets from pedigreed collections. It’s once again time to reach for that top shelf, as OTSA presents a 1,500-lot Fine Toy Soldiers Auction, November 20, 21 and 22. Bidders may participate in this major fall event by phone, absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

“In this sale, there’s a highly diverse selection of mostly older – but some newer – toy soldiers,” said OTSA owner Ray Haradin. “When you look through the catalog, there’s no mistaking the high standard that was set for consignments. The rarity and quality is consistent from beginning to end.” Estimates start in the $100-$120 range and rise to around the $20,000 mark.

One of the stars of the sale is a fabulous circa-1890 four-horse version of Britains’ Horse Race in its original box. In their May 29 auction, OTSA sold a two-horse version of the ingenious antique toy for $7,800. “This four-horse version, which is from the same consignor, is equally rare but is more intricately designed, with an unusual set of flywheels to simulate realistic motion. I know of only one other boxed example of this particular toy, so there can be no question that this will be a jewel for some lucky person’s collection. Aside from its extreme rarity, it’s pristine in a pristine box,” Haradin noted. Estimate: $7,000-$9,000.

Another nice, early Britains production is the mechanical Galloping Donkey Cart. The donkey’s legs and the cart it pulls are made of lead, while other parts of the toy are of painted composition. It is entered in the auction with a $1,500-$1,800 estimate.

Intense competition is expected for the only known boxed example of Britains’ circa-1906 Set #10 – Salvation Army. This exquisite set with provenance from the Henry Sigourney collection is one of the top lots of the sale and is estimated at $15,000-$20,000.

A Britains Set #436 US Monoplane with pilot, aircraftsmen and original box that converts to a hangar is in near-mint condition. “It’s the best set of its type that I have ever seen,” said Haradin. Auction estimate: $3,000-$5,000.

One of the most sought-after of all Britains vehicles, a Royal Mail Van Set #1552 is a quintessential depiction of the most familiar sight on British roads during the 1930s. In excellent condition with rich, unfaded colors, the van carries a $4,000-$6,000 estimate.

Other brands represented in the antique soldier section include the revered German manufacturer Heyde, and two of the earliest American toy soldier makers: Eureka and William Felix. The latter two companies were in business as early as 1905. Both companies’ productions are coveted by connoisseurs of not only antique toy soldiers but also early American toys in general.

A large selection of Britains Racing Colors – jockeys on horses with “silks” painted in the colors of various stables – will be offered with estimates ranging from $150-$450. Additionally, there are many desirable Courtney and Courtney Greenhill knights, estimated from $100 to $2,000, depending on rarity; and a great variety of civilian and military figures from a myriad of other manufacturers.

“Virtually ever maker of old toy soldiers can be found in this sale,” said Haradin. “There’s a nice sampling of Mignot, Johillco, Cherilea and Crescent. There’s even a smattering of dime store soldiers, which have their own avid following. And in addition to the standard Britains sets, we also have several very attractive Britains display sets. They’re always in demand.”

A section of the three-day auction will be devoted to newer soldiers and figures from the most respected of contemporary brands. An extensive array of Trophy soldiers includes their Boxer Rebellion set, $800-$1,200; and from King & Country comes an impressive selection of retired sets dating to the company’s early period of production – the 1980s and early 1990s.

Bid in OTSA’s 2015 Major Fall Auction of Fine Toy Soldiers either absentee, by phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers. The dates and starting times are: 1 p.m. on Friday, November 20; and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22. View the entire illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

To contact OTSA about any item in the sale, or to arrange a phone line or leave a traditional absentee bid, call Ray Haradin at 412-343-8733 (tollfree: 800-349-8009) or email raytoys@aol.com.