We report on "big" collectibles all the time here at Paul Fraser Collectibles. So how about reporting on something "small" for a change: this 1950s-era Tonka "Suburban Pumper" toy fire truck.

This car came to our attention when we spotted that it had sold for $1,932 in an Internet and catalog auction held in Croton-On-Hudson, New York.

The antique toy fire truck - Model #950-6 - is painted in the quintessential fire engine red, with "No. 5" emblazoned on its doors. It even sold with a toy red fire hydrant.

It was one of many near-mint or mint-in-the-box-examples which sold in the auction. As with all the best collectibles, condition is a crucial factor with rare toys.

"We saw a lot of interest overall in this auction, with strong bidding in many categories," said auctioneer Tom Miano.

"In some cases, bids exceeded three-to-four times the existing book values on items, with solid prices for most other lots."

The 1950s-era Tonka "Suburban Pumper" toy fire truck

This sale is a sign that the rare antique toy markets are going from strength-to-strength.

If you're a major investor with an interest in collectibles, then $1,932 might not sound like very much compared to the hundreds of thousands that collectibles often bring at auction.

However, get a good toy collection together filled with rare and top-quality specimens, and it can all add up.

One of the world's most noted antique toy collectors was Donald Kaufman. His vast collection was sold in a multi-part auction, last year.

In the end, part one of the collection sold for $4.2 million - breaking the auctioneer's house record!

Among the sale's highlights was a Fire Pumper steam toy by German maker Gebruder Märklin. The single toy sold for $150,000.

While the fire engine didn't sell for $150,000, it goes to show that the nuggets are out there. Watch this space for more news from the collectible antique toy markets.