Notable collections auctioned in 2021
Perhaps not quite on par with the Macklowe Collection of blue-chip artworks that sold for $676.1 million at Sotheby’s in November, a number of other collections that came to auction this year also had blue-chip pieces that happy collectors were eager to snap up.
Other notable collections that hit the block and had big sales offered comics, toys, pinback buttons, folk art, pinball machines and more:
Paul Cole Collection of Toys and Trains
The exceptional 50-year collection of American and European trains, early tin and pressed-steel toys of the late Paul Cole (1931-2020), a man whose career distinctions were rivaled only by his passion for hobbies and sporting pursuits, were auctioned at Bertoia Auctions in two parts in May and October. The auctions drew competitive bidding from collectors throughout the United States, Europe and other parts of the world. The 862-lot Part I grossed more than $2.5 million, exceeding pre-sale expectations by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Part II featuring 836 lots brought nearly $1.9 million.
The top lots were a Marklin Schlitz Beer Car, O gauge, hand painted, catalog no.2959, circa
