Howie Meyer’s Legacy
One man’s pursuit for the finest in ‘fun’
If one word encompasses the late Howie Meyer and his collection, that word would be ‘fun.’ Whether it be the roar of his coveted 1939 Indian '4' motorcycle, the sleek lines of his rare Canadian 1968 Chevelle 396, or the nostalgic charm of his many other 'toys' big and small, Howie's collection is a symphony of excitement. Beyond his talent for curating objects, Howie Meyer was also a collector of the stories and memories that made each piece special.
“He had a story for every single piece that you see in this room,” reminisces Lorne Meyer, Howie’s son, as he stands in his father’s ‘toy room’. The room is a wonder, with aisles of toys shelved from floor to ceiling, organized by theme and, sadly, collecting a bit of dust.
"You could point out anything in here and he could tell you where he bought it, when he bought it, what the person looked like, what their starting price was and how he got them down to the price he bought it for,” adds Lorne, “He could even tell you the car he was driving that day.”
While Lorne admits he was not blessed with a memory as remarkable as his father’s, he can recall his earliest memories of accompanying Howie to garage sales and toy shows.
“My dad was always there first in line, ready to be through the doors and walking up and down the aisles all day, leaving with boxes and boxes of toys that we would bring back here and play with and put on display”.
Lorne Meyer is pictured above with his father, Howie Meyer.
Howie's passion for curating 'fun,' coupled with his extraordinary memory, resulted in a collection that serves as not only a masterpiece in the world of collecting, but also a living narrative of his adventures along the way. Following Howie’s passing in 2021, the Meyer family decided it was time to pass on these treasures and tales to new owners in hopes of preserving Howie's legacy and spreading the joy. The collection is slated to be sold on December 9, 2023 at Miller & Miller Auctions.
Howie's love for collecting emerged during his childhood in New York when he would sift through the cash register of his parents' laundromat in search of old pennies. He developed a fascination with the idea of gathering old objects and assembling them in one place, an instinct familiar to any true collector. Later in life, after marrying and establishing a successful career in property management, Howie had the means to build a serious (yet, fun!) collection. His journey into collecting coincided with his journey into fatherhood, and as his children grew, his collection grew alongside them.
"Our walls were lined with toys you would never see anywhere else," adds Lorne. “My dad was always a “pick of the week” kind of guy. It was whatever interested him in that moment. As long as it made him or someone he loved smile, he would seek that out and add it to his collection.”
The fun and vibrant Meyer family
Featuring rare and delightful toys spanning from the mid-to-late 20th century, Howie's toy collection offers a nostalgic voyage through time. From an amassment of 1950s tin litho and pressed steel trucks to a 1970s battery-operated Batmobile, there is a dose of fun for every collector. Encompassing themes such as Disney, ice cream, Western, space, robots, New York, advertising, and TV comic characters, the offering is an embodiment of popular culture through Howie’s eyes.
"This is more than a collection,” says Ethan Miller, co-owner of Miller & Miller Auctions, “This is a reflection of our pop culture. It was Howie's pop culture. It’s represented in so many different ways.”
Included in the sale is a selection of 1950s and 60s Japanese tin lithograph toys by Linemar, featuring familiar characters such as Mickey Mouse, Popeye, and Yogi Bear. Linemar was the Japanese subsidiary of Louis Marx Co., a successful American toy manufacturer that had obtained several popular character licenses in the 1950s. Marx enlisted Linemar to manufacture the toys in Japan to keep production costs low and profit margins high. Despite the success of this profitable collaboration, Linemar went out of business in the late 1960s, creating a niche for its iconic character toys in today's collector market.
Lot 358 - Linemar "Mickey Mouse's Aeroplane" with Donald Duck Head
Lot 81 - Marx Linemar Popeye Transit Co. Trailer
Also included is Howie’s collection of 1950s and 60s toys by German maker Schuco. Schuco was known for producing toy replicas of cars and trucks using various materials like tin, plastic, and die-cast. The company went bankrupt in 1976, but was reorganized in 1993 and is still in operation today. However, it is the toys predating the 1970s that hold the allure for collectors.
Lot 290 - Schuco Elektro Radiant 5600 Lufthansa Airliner
Lot 61 - Schuco Curvo No. 1000 Motorcycle
Howie’s assortment of 1950s and 60s Otaco Minnitoy tankers and trucks are also gearing up for the sale. Minnitoys gained recognition for their private label toys, enabling commercial entities to promote their brands on the miniature trucks and tankers. The examples offered in the sale include private label tankers from Supertest, White Rose, Fina, and Sunoco, among other notable brands.
Lot 8 - Otaco, Minnitoy Supertest Oil Tanker
Lot 9 - Otaco, Minnitoy White Rose Oil Tanker
With foremost focus on quality, Howie also placed major emphasis on the 'wow-factor,' acquiring standout items such as ride-ons, midget racers, and pinball machines.
The Williams “Beat Time” pinball machine (lot 234) encapsulates the peak of 1960s pop culture. Crafted in 1967 during the height of The Beatles' popularity in America, pinball maker Williams wanted to pay tribute to the Fab Four, but lacked the proper license to do so. Instead, the company used "The Bootles" on the back glass. Howie’s machine features a reproduction back glass which now accurately reads “The Beatles.” The “Beat Time” is one of nine pinball machines offered in the upcoming auction.
Howie also had a passion for his ‘grown-up’ toys, including luxury vehicles and motorcycles. His pride and joy, a 1968 Chevelle SS convertible, is offered as lot 307 in the auction. It was one of only 108 produced for sale in Canada. Also hitting the market is Howie’s “summer driver” (a stunning grey 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet) and his “Sunday driver” (a sleek black 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet).
Howie’s garage housed more than just cars, it also echoed with the roar of motorcycles. Four are included in the sale, including his prized red 1938 Indian “4” Model 439 (lot 264). Built by the Indian Motorcycle Company from 1928 to 1942, many consider the Indian "4" the Duesenberg of motorcycles. It is named after its signature four-cylinder engine. Another showstopper is Howie’s yellow 1953 Indian Chief Roadmaster (lot 263). It is one of only 600 units produced in 1953. Both of these bikes were prominently displayed as fixtures in the Indian Cafe in Toronto. Howie purchased them directly from the Cafe's owner, Fuss Cooper.
Howie's passions extended beyond collecting; he was also an avid photographer and videographer. Lorne speaks proudly of the painstaking effort he and his father undertook to digitize thousands of pictures and videos, creating a visual archive of the Meyer family's history. An Instagram account dedicated to Howie's photography provides a glimpse into the vibrant life Howie built for his family.
Howie was often spotted with a camcorder in hand to capture his life’s many great moments.
The decision to auction off Howie's collection was not made lightly. Lorne reflects on the emotional attachment but acknowledges that finding the right home for the objects is the best way to honor his father's legacy.
"A friend of mine suggested a couple of different auction houses," Lorne explains.
After meeting with Ethan Miller, a connection was formed, “I felt such a strong connection with Ethan and his story about his dad and his brother, and the way that they collected toys growing up,” adds Lorne.
The December 9th auction at Miller & Miller offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors to dive into the thrill of Howie’s world. Whether you roar away on the Indian “4”, set a new pinball record, or park some new trucks in your toy display, Howie’s legacy will live on through the next generation of collectors seeking their own dose of “fun”.
Story by Tess Malloy
Tess is a freelance writer and history enthusiast who enjoys unearthing interesting stories about remarkable people and objects. Tess has written for The Miller Times for six years.
SALE DETAILS:
Toys, Motorcycles & Automobiles
The Howard Meyer Legacy Collection
December 9, 2023
9am EST