Submarines, Toys, and the Deep Blue Sea Collection 1910–1955

Featuring an international selection with a wide range of dates, including a Fleischman diver in wetsuit and early diving helmet, a keywind lobster with articulated claws, a later lithographed Chein tinplate shark, a large French "S63" U-boat flying French colors, featuring a conn tower with two periscopes and four hull mounted blades, three Sutcliffe submarines including a "Nautilus" and a "Sea Wolf," three Arnold lithographed tinplate submarines, a blue and white "Wolverine" submarine, an early grey and white Bing submarine, a Sebel "Snort" submarine with air bulb pump action and partial box, an early French "Berroh" submarine, a Glenbur "Sportcraft" with partial original box, a Schuco "Electro-Submarino," a small tinplate gunboat putt-putt, a JEP "Nautilus" submarine finished in white and grey, and a Japanese crank wind submarine finished in blue and grey.



Note: Many of these toys were part of the imaginative submarine display at the Forbes Gallery. It featured a boilerplate framed viewing window showing a world of "submerged" submarines and a sandy ocean floor covered with sunken ships and aquatic creatures.



 



Lengths of boats range from 7 to 25 ½ inches

Condition varies widely. Two of the three Sutcliffs are in superb condition, the diver is missing the ball pump, the lobster, JEP 'Nautilus' and the small putt-putt, are repainted and the Bing sub is damaged at the seam, The early French 'Berroh' Japanese tinplate submarine are in rough condition. Two boxes are partial only. Please note that the stand is not for sale and will not accompany the lot.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.