The hand-painted toys feature Pennsylvania Railroad markings (PRR).
The set was offered with an estimate of $3000-4000 at Bertoia Auctions (23.5/20% buyer’s premium) on November 13 but made a premium-inclusive $10,200 (£7750). The cow catcher had been resoldered and a couple of patches touched up, but it was otherwise described as in ‘excellent to pristine’ condition.
Export models are often in high demand given their intrinsic rarity and their appeal to local markets.
Kenton flying high
Kenton flying boat with Fokker markings – $6100 (£5400) in the Noel Barrett at Pook & Pook auction.
This Kenton flying boat was the highlight of the aeronautical toy collection of the late Harry Nowak offered by Noel Barrett at Pook & Pook (22% buyer’s premium), in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on December 4. It received 23 bids before it finished at a premium-inclusive $6100/£5400 (estimate $3000-5000), said the auction house.
The 10½in (27cm) wing span, 9½in (24cm) long model is the only known example with Fokker designation on the wings and the pontoons. The saleroom said: “We know of only two examples of non-Fokker designated Kenton flying boats. One was in the Don Kaufman Collection and the other in a collection gifted to the Smithsonian Museum some years ago.” Kenton was an Ohio firm that operated from the 1890s-1950s.
