The first set of lots from the classic toy car collection of KB Toys co-founder Donald Kaufman was auctioned off over the weekend. The auctioneer calls it the “king of all toy collections” due to its size, value, and rare items.
Kaufman, 78, has amassed 7,000 toy cars, trucks, trains and other vehicles over the past fifty years. 1,500 lots, with an estimated value of as much as $4 million, were sold in a three-day auction at Bertoia Auctions in New Jersey. Several more auctions are planned for the remaining items, including cast-iron vehicles dating back to the 19th century, rare early-20th century British biscuit tins shaped like cars, the entire Lehmann motorcycle series, the complete series of Hubley Royal Circus cast-iron vans, and valuable items from the legendary Perelman Antique Toy Museum.
Here’s a video created by the auction company to show some of the collection:
Even though Kaufman sold his shares of KB in 1981 and the company was recently dissolved, Kaufman continued his passion for toys by building his collection. As for why he decided to part with his treasures, Kaufman said it was time, and he wanted to have as much fun selling it as he did building it.
Some of the price tags are definitely out of the reach for the casual collector, but there are lots of ways to create your own valuable toy collection. When buying collector’s items, either new or classic items, look for toys with the following properties:
- Toys which mirror contemporary life
- Toys linked to films, computer games or TV shows
- Real toys created as playthings for children rather than to be displayed on shelves by adults
- Toys played with carefully to keep them in mint condition
- Toys which still have all their original packaging
Good luck and happy collecting!
