TELFORD, Pa. - A dazzling assortment of exceptional finds and well-known classics – including top-shelf Japanese cars, space toys, seldom seen Popeye pieces and other comic character figures – will highlight the fall sale of Smith House Toy & Auction Co. Quality and condition will be the key words when the phone and online auction opens Nov. 5 and ends Nov. 21.

Toy car collectors will have a crack at a boxed, 1960 Chrysler Imperial, the elegant “Queen of the Imperials” and one of the most desirable Japanese tin cars. The 15-inch beauty is expected to reach $15,000 to $18,000.

DENVER, Pa. – Private collections of impeccable quality prompted an avalanche of bids in Morphy Auctions’ Sept. 11-13 Fall Sale, which realized $1.7 million (inclusive of 15 percent buyer’s premium). The sale’s headliner, the Andy Huffer toy motorcycle collection, knocked down incredible prices, with a Hubley 8½-inch cast-iron Harley-Davidson bike with nickel wheels and near-perfect paint roaring to a $57,500 finish. The faithful representation of a 1930 Harley factory DAH Hill Climber, with driver in forward “uphill” pose, made well over three times the high estimate.

Consignor Andy Huffer was elated with the results his collection achieved. “The auction surpassed all my expectations,” he said. “It was a success because of the knowledge and dedication of Morphy’s staff, and the company’s good name with collectors. In fact, I’m so pleased, I’m taking the whole Morphy’s team out to dinner next week as a thank-you.”

An original-owner copy of the historic Superman #1, CGC-certified as grade 4.0, has come to light, according to Jamie Graham of Graham Crackers Comics and Harley Yee of Harley Yee Comics. The dealers were contacted by the grandson of the 93-year-old owner of the comic, who brought it when it was originally sold in 1939.

Trailing just behind Action Comics as the longest-running periodical featuring the world’s best known character, copies of Superman #1 in any grade attract attention. Since it hit the stands 69 years ago, though, it is odd to find one still in the possession of its original owner.

OCEANSIDE, New York - An original “Peanuts” Sunday page, rendered in pen and ink in May 1953 by the late comic illustrator Charles Schulz, soared to $67,800 at a multi-estate sale held Sept. 13-14 at Philip Weiss Auctions. The eight-panel strip showed Charlie Brown and Snoopy playing fetch. In addition, two daily “Peanuts” strips sold for $21,470 each, bringing the three-strip total to $110,740.

“All things considered, this sale was way better than I expected, with lots of surprises along the way,” said owner and auctioneer Philip Weiss. “I didn't expect this level of activity - it was very exciting. Toy trains, comic books and animation art, in particular, did very well.” By the time the last gavel fell, about 1,300 lots had changed hands, in a sale that grossed over $500,000. Nearly 300 people attended the event in person, while more than 2,500 others registered to bid online. In addition, a bank of five phones rang constantly during the weekend, with all three “Peanuts” strips selling to phone bidders. Mr. Weiss said he fielded about 5,400 absentee bids – 2,600 on his website and 2,800 on LiveAuctioneers.com, which facilitated online bidding.