AN ANTIQUE TOY AUCTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND (FORMERLY THE ACTORS FUND)
New York, NY (October 6, 2022) – Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) is partnering with Bertoia Auctions to present An “Antique” Toy Story: A Special Event. Proceeds from this auction, consisting of hundreds of antique toys, will directly benefit the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, NJ, an assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and short-stay rehabilitation residence of the Entertainment Community Fund.
The toys in these lots were donated by Fund Board Member Abby Schroeder and her husband Aaron. They traveled the world collecting antique toys, developing such a breadth of items that they contributed many to the founding of the American Museum of Antique Toys in the early 1980s. Upon this museum’s dissolution, numerous toys have found their way to additional museums, while more than 100 lots will be auctioned via Bertoia Auctions to benefit the Actors Fund Home, where Aaron resided for five years until his death in 2009.
Bertoia Auctions has generously waived its commission so the Fund can receive the proceeds from the sale of these toys.
“Abby and Aaron’s legacy and dedication to the Entertainment Community Fund continue with An ‘Antique’ Toy Story and the generosity of Bertoia Auctions. We’re so grateful to Abby and everyone at Bertoia for their commitment to supporting those in the entertainment community who come to us for help,” said Fund President and CEO Joseph Benincasa.
Fund Chair Brian Stokes Mitchell added, “I’ve had the pleasure and honor to serve on the Board of the Entertainment Community Fund with Abby for years, and her passion for our industry is unparalleled. The sharing of their ‘Antique’ Toy Story is just one of the many ways Abby is making a lasting impact on our beloved community.”
There will be more than 100 themed lots (most with three to five toys per lot), including Popeye, Charlie Chaplin, Looney Toons and Walt Disney lots with items ranging from cast iron to paper to wood to tin. For example, an “Off to the Races” lot will include a sulky horse-drawn toy, a Dashing Horse still bank, a Jockey Race tin toy and other equine-related items.
An “Antique” Toy Story has been organized to engage those interested in strengthening the Fund as it addresses the ever-growing needs of professionals who dedicate their lives to improving the lives of others through entertainment.
“These toys represent history. They are wonderful additions to someone’s décor, gifts to give for holidays, special occasions and to start a collection, or items to contribute to a museum to ensure the preservation of these historical toys—all while supporting such a crucial cause to help everyone in the entertainment community,” shared Fund Board Member Abby Schroeder.
Bertoia’s October 15 toy auction, featuring the special offering of more than 100 lots benefiting the Entertainment Community Fund, will take place online. In-gallery previews are by appointment only. Bid absentee, by phone or live online through Bertoia Live or LiveAuctioneers.com.
For additional information or to make an appointment to preview the collection, please call 856-692-1881, email toys@bertoiaauctions.com or visit bertoiaauctions.com.
ABOUT THE SCHROEDERS
Aaron Schroeder (1926-2009) was a legendary songwriter and record producer and together with his wife, Abby, built an international, independent music publishing organization. For 49 years they were partners in life, in business and in toy collecting. With great enthusiasm they garnered widespread respect for their achievements in the music industry and for their philanthropic efforts. Aaron was known for developing talent that enjoyed worldwide success (Barry White, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Newman and others). The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly known as The Actors Fund, became their charity of choice with Abby becoming a dedicated Board member, producing memorable galas and supervising major renovations at the Actors Fund Home from 2015-2019.
ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND
Supporting a life in the arts
The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, is a national human services organization that addresses the unique needs of people who work in performing arts and entertainment with services focused on health and wellness, career and life, and housing. Since 1882, the Fund has sought to ensure stability, encourage resilience and be a safety net for those who shape our country’s cultural vibrancy. Learn more at entertainmentcommunity.org.
ABOUT BERTOIA AUCTIONS
The most recognized name in the antique toy and bank auctions venue today is without question, Bertoia Auctions of Vineland, NJ. No other auction house has sold more toys in a span of twenty-plus auctioning years, and the numerous world record prices established at Bertoia’s is a signature trademark to a very distinguished campaign of auctioning expertise.
Their prominent place in auctioning history began when their late founder, Bill Bertoia, single-handedly combined both world-class expertise and visions of auctioning innovations, and created what is now the standards for the entire auction world. Today, wife Jeanne Bertoia and brother Rich Bertoia, share in his vision of bringing the best of toys to the best of collectors, and conduct high profile auctions from the South Jersey auction house… “The house that Bill built” as they fondly say. Jeanne and Rich’s expertise in handling the finest and rarest in toys, banks, and doorstops continues to write new chapters in the auctioning world, and it became an exceedingly proud announcement when Michael Bertoia, Bill and Jeanne’s son, joined the auction house in 2007 after finishing college. While the business is truly family run, the advisors and collector loyalists that supports this firm keeps Bertoia Auctions at the fore-front of today’s market.
The World Record for an antique cast iron mechanical bank was established by Bertoia Auctions when the “Old Woman in the Shoe” with Provenance from the Stan Sax Collection sold for $426,000, demonstrating the position held by Bertoia‘s for nearly two decades now. The auction house specializes in large collections to single quality items and relies in one of the best marketing, advertising and personalized contact strategies recognized around the auction globe.
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