A Kyser & Rex Mikado mechanical bank, dating to roughly 1886, featuring a blue table, exceptionally uncommon and among only a few known specimens, 5 inches long, in superb condition. Realized $38,400, falling within its pre-sale estimate.
Cast-iron Alphabet Man (also called The Yankee Schoolmaster), maker unidentified. Expertly cast, giving it an appealing folk-art look. Brought $20,400, far above its $12,000 top estimate.
J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, the more uncommon thin-base variant from the company’s sought-after pedestal-bank line. Completely untouched. Sold for $12,000.
Hubley Bathing Beauties doorstop, part of a six-piece series designed and marked “© FISH 250,” an Art Deco piece showing two young women in swimsuits sharing an umbrella, 11½ inches tall. Brought $3,900.
Other Notable Lots: Mechanical Alphabet Man (or Yankee Schoolmaster), $20,400; Butting Ram – Man Thumbs Up bank, $14,400; J&E Stevens Milking Cow bank, $12,000
VINELAND, NJ, UNITED STATES, October 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A Mikado mechanical bank, manufactured around 1866 by Kyser & Rex and among just a handful known, changed hands for $38,400; meanwhile, a rare mechanical Alphabet Man (or Yankee Schoolmaster), part toy and part 19th-century teaching tool, went for $20,400 during Bertoia Auctions’ Mechanical Banks & Cast-Iron Toys Auction held September 25, both online and at the gallery.
The auction was led by the exceptional mechanical-bank collection of the late Dr. Robert E. Booth, Jr. (1945-2026). Dr. Booth was widely known for assembling one of America’s finest private holdings of Americana and folk art. His remarkable home – featured in both Architectural Digest and The Magazine Antiques – mirrored a lifetime of collecting at the highest level.
Although Dr. Booth built collections across many categories, only his mechanical banks were offered in this sale. Other highlights included cast-iron toys from the collections of Tony LaSala and Ira Bernstein, as well as the outstanding doorstop collection of Bob Brady and Max Berry’s group of Charlie Reynolds banks. The auction brought in more than $515,000, and consignors were delighted with the outcomes.
The Mikado mechanical bank was a scarce blue-table edition. It displayed a captivating mechanism: after a coin was placed beneath the illusionist’s hat and the rear crank was turned, the figure raised and lowered the two magician’s cones on the table. The coin seemed to vanish and then reappear under the left cone, before unexpectedly dropping into the bank. The $38,400 sale price matched the pre-auction estimate range.
The mechanical Alphabet Man, or Yankee Schoolmaster, was skillfully designed to give this unique toy a strong folk-art character. There has been ongoing discussion about whether the Alphabet Man was intended as a plaything or a 19th-century teacher’s instructional device. Pushing the lever made the well-dressed gentleman point to his chest, which held a rotating alphabet wheel. Against a top estimate of $12,000, this scarce example from Bertoia’s earned “extra credit” by selling for $20,400.
The Butting Ram – Man Thumbs Up was the sole mechanical-bank model ever made by Wagner & Zwiebel Mfg of Wisconsin. Very few survive in any state, and finding one as fine as this entry would be difficult. It was completely original and carried a strong provenance from the Booth collection. It climbed to $14,400, surpassing an $8,000 high estimate.
A J&E Stevens Milking Cow mechanical bank, the more uncommon thin-base version from the Connecticut manufacturer’s desirable pedestal-bank series, achieved $12,000, beating the $8,000 top estimate. Thanks to its many moving components, the bank’s amusing action showed a man being knocked backward while trying to milk a cow. Hard to locate, entirely original and free of repairs, the bank was judged to be in excellent to mint condition.
Hubley Mfg (Lancaster, Pa.) doorstops proved highly popular with bidders. Several of the top-selling lots included:
• A Hubley Bathing Beauties doorstop, one of a six-piece series designed and signed “© FISH 250,” a well-liked Art Deco motif featuring two young ladies in swimsuits sharing a parasol, 11½ inches tall, in near-mint condition. Sold for $3,900, against a $1,500 high estimate
• A Hubley Messenger Boy doorstop, one of a six-piece series designed and signed “© FISH 249,” with classic Art Deco styling, showing a boy holding a flower bouquet on a red and black base, 10 inches tall, in near-mint condition. Sold for $3,600, against an $1,800 high estimate
Also from Hubley, though not a doorstop, was a Santa still bank, an outstanding example that showed virtually no wear or signs of use. The 6-inch-tall bank, in near-mint condition, entered the auction with a modest $1,200-$2,000 estimate but ultimately changed hands for $3,300.
A small Uncle Sam mechanical bank, one of only 99 produced in 1970 by the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Research & Engineering Department as a limited-edition special presentation piece for campaign-committee members, soared past the $400 high estimate to close at $3,600. This example, just 10½ inches tall, was number 60 of the 99 made. It was marked “60 99 1970” and was in near-mint condition.
A Reynolds Uncle Sam Lawyer mechanical bank, a pre-production model from 2003 and one of only two ever made, exceeded its $2,000 high estimate with a final price of $3,000. The bank measured 7½ inches long and was in near-mint condition.
In the toy-car category, an Arcade REO Royale Coupe, 9 inches long and in pristine condition, sped away for $3,600 against a $2,000 high estimate; while a rare Kenton 1934 Chrysler Airflow, 5½ inches long and in very good condition, found a new owner for $2,700, beating the $1,000 high estimate.
Attendees of a previous mechanical-bank convention had the chance to see a sample of Dr. Booth’s treasured collection firsthand at his residence. Bertoia’s was honored to present his remarkable collection at auction, giving collectors a prime opportunity to compete for prized items acquired by one of America’s most respected collectors.
Bertoia Auctions is currently accepting high-quality toys, banks, holiday antiques and collectibles for upcoming sales. Bertoia Auctions’ president, Michael Bertoia, welcomes inquiries about the consignment process from collectors, whether they have a single piece or a full collection. All discussions are kept strictly confidential, and there is never any obligation to consign. Tel. 856-692-1881 or email toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Stay updated with Bertoia’s via their website: www.bertoiaauctions.com.
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All prices stated in this report include buyer’s premium as outlined on Bertoia’s website https://www.bertoiaauctions.com. To view the catalog and realized prices for Bertoia’s September 25, 2026 auction, visit https://bid.bertoiaauctions.com/auctions/1-DBZJ33/cast-iron-september-2026
Michael Bertoia
Bertoia Auctions
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