Advertising Auction, April 20 - April 21, 2012

Morphys April 20-21 Antique Advertising auction features 400 premier Coca-Cola lots from the late Michael Narvaez collection.

1,260-lot sale includes brewery, automotive, tobacco, Mr. Peanut, many other categories

A wealth of rare antique signs, figures and other promotional items from the golden era of advertising is currently on display at Morphys central Pennsylvania gallery, all to be auctioned on Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. The 1,260-lot sale incorporates a fantastic array of signage, with the centerpiece being the revered Coca-Cola advertising collection of the late Michael Narvaez. Also featured are Moxie items from the Dick Shay collection and additional soda pop lots.

The Friday session begins with a collection of 120 occupational shaving mugs. Top lots include mugs with depictions of a steam pump, horse-drawn delivery wagon and an open-air truck. Additionally, a rare mug with a photographic image of a steam accessory will be offered.

More than 80 figural cast-iron doorstops, doorknockers, bookends and other novelties will follow. Among the most coveted doorstops are a standing frog, standing honey bear and rabbit. Other standouts in the group include a cast-iron Nichols doorknocker, est. $700-$1,000; and two carnival targets a paratrooper, $2,000-$3,000; and a mechanical owl, $3,000-$5,000.

Highlights among the 170 lots of general store and mixed advertising include a near-pristine Skinners Satin (Holyoke, Mass.) oval sign with the image of an Indian in a full headdress. It is the only example Morphys experts have ever seen and is estimated at $8,000-$12,000. View More...