The art of play
The artisanal toymakers of the past
Phil Barnett’s world-class toy collection comes to auction at Miller & Miller on November 8 and 9.
We all know the saying: work hard, play hard. But few embody this philosophy better than Phil Barnett, a renowned Nova Scotia home builder who also built a world-class toy collection in his spare time. Like any dedicated collector, Phil paced the growth of his collection carefully, conducting diligent research while keeping his ‘ear to the ground’ for the best. Now nearly 300 of his rarest discoveries are slated for sale at Miller & Miller on November 8 and 9.
In our modern era of overstimulation, iPads and video games have taken the place of the toys of the past. In the early 20th century, the art of play was shaped by the creativity and ingenuity of toy makers. The earliest French and German toys are now collected as works of careful craftsmanship, brilliant design, and visual art. Unlike today’s electronic toys, they relied on the most reliable power source of all: human imagination. From the intricate wind-up tinplate vehicles of the early 20th century to the space-aged rocket ships of the 1950s, toys of the past look vastly different from those we know today.
At the heart of Barnett’s collection lies the mechanical ingenuity that defined early toy manufacturing. Esteemed German toy makers, such as Georges Carette and The Lehmann Company, designed and built toys using mechanical clockwork components like springs, gears, and levers. The toy business was competitive in those days. Each maker tried to out-design and out-produce the other. The product of this competitive rigour is best evidenced by the ingenuity of the toys themselves. Over a century later, they inspire smiles from children and adults alike.
In the early 20th century, Georges Carette capitalized on the new and affluent automobile market by designing and manufacturing intricate (and expensive) models in miniature and calling them toys. Production was limited and good surviving examples are hard to find.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Lehmann Company became known for its brightly lithographed animated wind-up toys. Like Henry Ford, they were produced to be the affordable choice for the general public. Lehmann’s shift to lightweight mechanical tin toys in the early 20th century was a breakthrough in an era dominated by heavy cast iron toys. This shift reduced production costs and made the toys easier for children to handle and enjoy.
Eventually, the clockwork era of gears and levers gave way to the postwar era of friction and batteries. American and Japanese manufacturers became big players in this market. Toy cars with friction wheel motors could zoom forward when resistance was built up and released. Friction cars were often inspired by the Cadillacs, Pontiacs and Ford models of the era, but some were “fantasies”. For example, the rare Lincoln Futura by Fukuda & ALPS (lot 89) resembles not a real car but the iconic Batmobile, complete with transparent windshields and a bulletproof top.
Low cost, highly efficient Japanese toy makers dominated the postwar toy market. To compete, American-based toy giant Marx launched a Japanese subsidiary, “Linemar”, with the slogan, “Linemar - best by far”. A reminder of this Japanese venture is most evident in the Linemar-Marx Superman Turnover Tank (lot 489). Unlike Marx’s U.S. edition, which has simpler packaging and features Superman in blue, this Japanese-produced variant presents Superman in yellow.
Barnett’s early toy motorcycles also deserve mention. They could be the finest assortment to ever hit the Canadian market at a single time. His convoy includes models by JML (France) and Lehmann, alongside a rare selection of 1930s Tipp & Company motorcycles. Collectors know that Tipp & Co. motorcycles carry special historical significance. The company was founded in early 20th-century Germany by the Jewish Ullmann family. In 1933, director Phillip Ullmann fled Germany to escape rising Nazi persecution. The company was then taken over by Nazi supporters, who shifted production toward military toys throughout the 1930s and into World War II. Ullmann returned in 1948 to reclaim his business. However, post-war anti-Nazi sentiment led to the destruction of many Tipp & Co. toys from the 1930s and 1940s, making Barnett’s surviving examples rare.
Headlining the sale is a rare selection from the Gunthermann Toy Company, a prominent figure in Germany's toy-making history. Founded in 1886, Gunthermann gained acclaim for its intricately designed tin toys, establishing itself as a leading maker known for high-quality craftsmanship and detail. Gunthermann toys were often inspired by real-world events, serving as unique time capsules of their era. The ultra-rare large-version Gunthermann Coupé Gordon Bennett No. 5 Race Car (lot 513) is considered the “holy grail” of tin toy cars. Produced between 1905 and 1910, it tells the story of the early days of international auto racing. According to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, it commemorates the Gordon Bennett Trophy races, which were held from 1900 to 1903 and organized by James Gordon Bennett Jr., the owner of the New York Herald.
Ben Lennox, Head of Sales at Miller & Miller, poses with the Gunthermann Weigel Coupè Gordon Bennet No. 5 Race Car.
The Gordon Bennett Trophy Races challenged international racing clubs to field cars built entirely from parts made in their home countries. The Coupé Gordon Bennett showcases a number 5 on its hood, a nod to French driver Léon Théry, who won the 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup in a car designated with the same number. The car is also adorned with a four-leaf clover, which was the logo of French car manufacturer Richard-Brasier. It’s believed that Gunthermann wanted to show that, despite their loss, Germany remained superior to France by creating this toy of exceptional, unmatched quality.
Curiously, the words "Coupe Gordon Bennet" are inscribed on both sides, spelling "Bennett" with a single "t"—though whether this was an error or intentional remains unclear. This rare toy, featured in prestigious collections and museums worldwide, is highly coveted among both toy collectors and automotive history enthusiasts.
Another standout Gunthermann featured is the circa 1920 8-Man Scull with Coxswain (Lot 398). This exceptionally rare toy showcases a rowing crew in coordinated motion, dressed in blue and white uniforms, gliding in a light brown scull. Renowned for its synchronized rowing action that mirrors the mechanics of an actual racing team, this large, intricate toy embodies the craftsmanship that solidified Gunthermann as one of Germany's elite toy manufacturers. Without question, this mesmerizing scull will become the centerpiece of a serious toy collection.
The sale of the Phil Barnett Collection offers collectors the opportunity to accompany these remarkable toys, and many others, on their next adventure. As the world continues to shift into a digital age, it’s important to carry forward the artifacts of the past and the stories they hold. After all, there’s still a ton of fun to be had.
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:
November 8, 2024
Toys Featuring the Phil Barnett Collection
Online-only sale with no live webcast portion.
November 9, 2024
Canadiana, Toys & Historic Objects Featuring the Phil Barnett Collection
Miller & Miller Live Webcast Auction | 9am EST
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