Over 1,200 rare and vintage toys are in an online auction ending Feb. 11-12 by SeriousToyz.com

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY, February 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Nearly 1,200 lots of rare, vintage toys, many of them mint in the box and highly desirable pieces, will be sold in a phone, mail, Internet and catalog auction already online at SeriousToyz.com. The sale will conclude Feb. 11-12. It is an absolute auction (everything sells, regardless of price) and many lots have starting bids of just $5 and $10.

Two lots in particular are expected to generate intense bidder interest. One is an 1870 patent model horse and carriage tin toy, including paperwork (a half-tag indicating when the toy was received, and a patent tag dated July 26, 1870). The other is a rare 1919 A.C. Gilbert & Co. 'New Wheel' building toy, mint in the box, also with paperwork.

Both toys will carry suggested opening bids of $1,500, according to Tom Miano, owner of SeriousToyz.com. He added the auction was delayed a bit from its planned Fall 2010 schedule date. "It took us a little while to get our ducks in a row on this one," he mused, "but in the end, everything lined up beautifully and we're looking forward to quite possibly our best sale ever."

More than 40 consignors, including several 30- and 40-year lifetime collections, were brought together in an auction that offers something for just about every toy collector and aficionado. Featured are a large number of mint, store stock and factory-sealed items, plus in-depth offerings across dozens of collecting categories. A sampling of what's for sale follows:

Hundreds of highly collectible die-cast toys, to include Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Corgi, Dinky and more, both boxed and loose, with many scarce and rare variations.

Dozens of sought-after and coveted character toys from the 1950s and '60s, many in their original packaging and many factory sealed. A trove for nostalgic baby boomers.

Over 70 beautiful vintage lunch boxes, with many highly desirable issues.

A large group of tin wind-up and battery-operated toys from the early 1900s through the 1950s, including many classic characters.

Scores of pressed steel, tin, cast-iron and plastic vehicle toys, to include cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, trains, ships and more.

Smaller groups of outstanding pieces, in categories such as sand pails, Halloween, Pez, lead soldiers, World's Fair, tin, early pinbacks, rings, premiums, classic '60s toys and more.

Oversized, multiple-view photos of each lot, in full color and with detailed descriptions for each one, may be viewed at http://www.SeriousToyz.com. "We pride ourselves in holding auctions that offer quality items in all price ranges, so everyone can participate," Mr. Miano said. "Our auction rules are set up so that everyone has an equal chance to get what they're bidding on."

Bidders have several ways to participate. They can log on to the SeriousToyz website, at http://www.SeriousToyz.com, and bid online. Or, they can mail in a bid (to #1 Baltic Place, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520), or phone in their bid, toll-free (at 1-866-653-8699, international 914-271-8669). A full-color catalog ($10 postpaid, $15 international) is now available. Call to order one.

There are no "sudden death" endings in SeriousToyz.com auctions. Each lot has its own computerized "clock," and items will close individually when 60 minutes pass without a bid. As such, there is no advantage or need for participants to wait for the last minute to place a bid, especially if they are bidding by phone. Bidding before closing days and when using ceiling bids are both advised. Pre-registration with a valid credit card is required before a bid can be placed.

SeriousToyz.com was launched in 1995 by Tom and Patti Miano, dedicated toy collectors who turned their passion into a thriving business. For 15+ years, they've sold thousands of items to discriminating collectors worldwide. SeriousToyz has earned numerous Toy Shop Magazine customer service awards, and is widely regarded as the premier old toy auction house in the U.S.

SeriousToyz is a regular contributor to vintage toy price guides, such as Toys & Prices and O'Brian's Collecting Toys. SeriousToyz is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single toy or a whole collection, you may call Tom Miano toll-free, at (866) 653-8699; or you can e-mail him at Tom@SeriousToyz.com.

For more information about SeriousToyz.com and the current auction ending Feb. 11-12, please log on to http://www.SeriousToyz.com.