One of the world's foremost collections of black Americana is to appear at auction on December 1, starring an Ives Stump Speaker.
The auction, which will be held in Maryland, will showcase Allen Liffman's lifetime collection of African-American antiques. According to the auction house, "anyone who has bought or sold black Americana is likely to know Allen Liffman", describing him as "a trailblazing dealer".
 The clockwork Ives toys will be joined by two collections of mechanical banks |
The clockwork Ives Stump Speaker, which provides "an appropriate toy for a presidential election year", shows a black figure dressed in red and white striped trousers and a jacket with tails, standing at a podium. Created at the end of the 19th century by the Ives Manufacturing Company, it is expected to sell for $5,000-7,000.
Sharing this estimate is an Ives suffragette which, like the stump speaker, is in complete original condition. Also from the Ives company is an 1885 clockwork toy of two black boxers, who punch at each other when activated. The highest valued piece among Liffman's collection, it will sell with a $6,000-9,000 estimate.
Based in Plymouth, Connecticut, Ives ran from 1868 to 1932, and between 1910 and 1924 was the country's largest toy train manufacturer.
Outside of Liffman's offerings is a "prestigious" 1890 Ives cutter sleigh, which has a handsome "walking" horse to pull it. The 22-inch long toy is one of only four known to exist and will sell for an impressive $30,000-50,000.
For more of the latest news from across the auction world, sign up to our free weekly newsletter.
