VINELAND, NJ.- On January 29-30, 2026, the Bertoia family will open their gallery doors to reveal a breathtaking winter wonderland of Christmas antiques, including exquisite European Santas, belsnickels and nodders; tree ornaments, including 100 sought-after Dresdens; candy containers, 60 European dolls, Steiff teddies and other sought-after toys that once awaited good boys and girls on Christmas morning. Additionally, the selection includes other types of early holiday collectibles, from whimsical Halloween characters to Easter-themed and patriotic pieces, as well as three dozen German and American dollhouses and stables, papier-mache and litho’d paper-on-wood toys, and coveted French and German automata.

The spotlight will shine on five high-profile collections from members of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past and/or the Antique Toy Collectors of America (ATCA).


Enormous Santa in Christmas auto poster, 40in x 61in, mounted on linen backing. Pristine condition. Provenance: David Bausch Collection. Estimate: $2,000-$3,500


First, there’s the acclaimed Ed and Brenda DeGarbolewski collection. Longtime holiday aficionados, Brenda and her late husband both had a well-practiced eye for quality and reveled in attending auctions, shows and club conventions hosted by both the Golden Glow and ATCA.

Married for 58 years, Jerry and Darla Arnold can trace their interest in Christmas antiques back to Darla’s college days and a visit to a museum where she fell under the spell of antique ornaments on a tree. Jerry joined Darla in her newfound pursuit and, over time, also became known for expert restoration work and his own original holiday designs.


Terracotta Santa figure seated on wooden sleigh. Superb detail and realism of the strands of beard hair. Height: 22in. VG to Excellent condition overall; Santa figure is pristine. Estimate: $5,000-$10,000


Bob & Maurine Young, members of both Golden Glow and Keystone Kringles, avidly collected Christmas antiques for 20 years. Maurine got her start at the Eastern National Doll Show (Gaithersburg, Md), where she acquired a stunning Christmas diorama. She would go on to collect many dioramas of Christmas and winter scenes. The Youngs’ collection also features an oversize nativity set, feather trees, and ornaments, including a large selection of cotton-batting types.


Very large Santa riding a caribou candy container. Santa’s head removable for candy storage. Wire legs, cloth-dressed. Caribou has impressive antlers with only minor exceptions to tips. Height: 16in. Excellent condition. Estimate: $2,000-$3,500


A retired nurse practitioner in California, Linda Morrow has been collecting Christmas and Halloween for 40+ years since first purchasing a Santa at the Rose Bowl swap meet in Pasadena. She eventually focused on antique German pieces, including candy containers, Dresdens and feather trees. Linda scoured West Coast antique shows, then expanded her search to the East Coast and Germany. Along the way, she also discovered the designs of premier contemporary artists like Jack Roads, Kathy Patterson, Roberta Taylor and Debbee Thibault.


Dresden Christmas ornament depicting woman in sleigh. Wonderful detail on horse harness and sleigh. Length: 5in. Excellent condition. Provenance: Linda Morrow Collection. Estimate: $1,500-$3,000

Aspects of Richard Mueller’s high-profile toy collection have been offered in previous auctions conducted by Bertoia’s. At the end-of-January specialty sale, collectors can look forward to viewing and bidding on some of his sensational paper-litho-on-wood boats with masts, flags and sails; Schoenhut wagons, and much more.

The auction lineup includes a dozen or so nodding Santas. Most are tall clockwork examples and one depicts Santa riding a nodding donkey. An absolutely pristine rattan Santa sleigh is pulled by two “snow”-flocked reindeer with glass eyes and metal antlers in perfect condition. But Santa will also take to the road as the driver of two rattan autos, one that opens for storage of treats.

Next up there are German papier-mache belsnickels, some designed as candy containers. The standout in this category is a large Santa in a brown mica-speckled coat, with arms crossed in front and holding a feather tree. Bertoia Auctions’ president and principal auctioneer, Michael Bertoia, noted that the detail work on this piece is “fabulous, especially on the face and beard.”


Rare 19in-tall standing football player candy container, made in Germany. Separates at head for candy storage. Amazingly well preserved, with very little touch-up at boots and football. Left thumb glued. Overall Pristine condition. Estimate; $1,500-$3,000


And speaking of visual appeal, collectors are going to be charmed by the elegant herd of reindeer candy containers, which display majestic antlers and all the trimmings, such as leather harnesses, bells, etc. Additionally, there’s a pair of mint-condition reindeer candy containers that stand perhaps a foot tall and whose heads lift off to access goodies placed inside. The majestic fur-covered pair, a matching brother and sister, have large antlers and glass eyes.

A very special highlight from the DeGarbolewski collection is a German terracotta Santa seated on a sleigh. This spectacular artwork measuring 22 inches in height boasts impeccable hand-detailing to the character’s beard and facial features. Ed and Brenda’s collection was also the source of early skittles sets, including a near-mint frog with little frogs dressed in cloth outfits.


Early and very nice German veggie man jack-o-lantern candy container/lantern. Height: 9.5in. All paper inserts intact. Age-related wear but in Excellent condition. Estimate: $2,000-$3,500


An oversize nativity set with approximately a dozen Neapolitan creche figures reflects the inspired beauty of Italian artistry. Each figure stands approximately 14 inches tall with the exception of the Baby Jesus, who is proportionately sized to suit the dimensions of the rest of the Holy Family.

One of Maurine Young’s gorgeous Christmas and winter dioramas portrays a village scene with a painted background and original old parts and pieces. It’s a wonder to behold with its brushed Christmas trees, flocked sheep, Christmas trees, people figures and other accessories. Michael Bertoia observed that some of Maurine’s dioramas incorporate early Erzgebirge pieces crafted in a mountainous region of Germany known for its tradition of unique handmade wooden toys

An exceptional example of folk art replicates the activities on a ski slope. When a crank is turned, skiers appear to schuss down the mountain. Standing 3ft tall to its highest point, it is topped by a rifugio (refuge or inn), an obligatory resting place for Alpine skiers. Its condition is spectacular.

In the 1890s and first decade of the 20th century, moving pictures were about as modern as any form of toy technology, other than Edison’s short-lived late-1880s talking doll. Bertoia’s will be auctioning an irresistible selection of early mechanical amusements, including many profusely animated clockwork pictures that star Jolly Old St Nick and joyful children on Christmas morning. Also gracing this category are a rod-driven Santa nodder, and a boxed three-dimensional clockwork Santa who nods his head from side to side and has moving eyes.

Several rare antique French and German automata will be auctioned. One includes a clock and birds, while a second example is housed under glass dome with a peaceful painted landscape and a little paper boat with a Dresden-like quality that “sails” toward the background when the automaton is activated. And speaking of Dresdens, there will be many from which to choose in the Christmas ornaments section, which includes creations of glass, paper, cotton-batting and more.

The Halloween section is lavishly replete with antique candy containers, pumpkin heads, a fantastic vegetable man, and many amusing original designs by noted contemporary artists. Endearing Easter bunnies and Uncle Sam also add color and fun to the holiday harvest.

Rare sports-theme candy containers are led by an old-school uniformed player with a removable head, holding a football; smaller versions of early football and baseball players, and an unusual example that depicts a football player seated atop a football twice his size.

Finally, there are 45 French, German and Italian dolls; teddy bears (including Steiff rod bears), and several fine Noah’s arks, each with its own charming menagerie of animals and people figures.

The January 29-30, 2026 Holiday Auction will be held live at Bertoia’s gallery, 2141 DeMarco Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360, starting at 10AM ET. Preview by appointment only the week before the auction. Remote bidding options include absentee, phone, or live online via Bertoia Live, LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable. For additional information on any item, to leave an absentee bid, schedule a private-preview appointment, or reserve a telephone line for bidding, call 856-692-1881 or email toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Online: www.bertoiaautions.com