If life really comes down to the legacy we leave behind, then Howie and Lorne Meyer are leaving a very interesting one.
It revolves around a toy collection Howie Meyer put together over a lifetime, one that his son Lorne inherited after his death. The story here is not in the passing of the collection from father to son for the latter’s enjoyment, but rather the twist of fate that led New Hamburg auctioneers Miller and Miller to be handling the sale of it following the younger Meyer’s death.
Ethan Miller said that Lorne Meyer had contacted their company after reading how they shared a passion for collecting. It wasn’t until he heard the story that Miller realized how special the moment was.
“It was a real bonding moment for us and Lorne when he proposed that we help sell off the collection,” Miller said. “It’s one of the largest ones we’ve ever handled, made up of North American and Japanese toys.”
The sale was made necessary when Lorne Meyer was diagnosed with brain cancer not long after his father had passed. Upon finding the Miller’s business, the bond began to form while they worked together.
“We began working together last fall, before we held the first part of the sale,” Miller said. “Lorne was working with us as much as he could early on, but that became less and less as his condition worsened.”
Lorne Meyer passed away in February at just 35 years old.
The story began to get a little more attention, as Ballinran Entertainment’s Craig Thompson came across it and went to meet Lorne and see the collection. It struck him as such an interesting story that Thompson shot a small video about the collection.
“This toy collection was hidden away in a Toronto warehouse, so I went to see it,” Thompson said. “I spent just one afternoon talking with Lorne, but I realized how important it was and how much he wanted to share it with us. The collection was just massive … all the things in it were things from my childhood.”
The second part of the sale starts Friday, May 10. Visit Miller and Miller Auctions online and you will find a complete listing of all 339 lots for sale as well as a brief post about Howie Meyer and his passion for his family and his toys.
“This really is an amazing story, about Howie and his passion,” Miller said.
