DENVER, Pa. – Fine toys, trains, antique advertising and the P-nuttiest collection of Planter’s memorabilia to come to auction in many years are waiting in the wings for Morphy Auctions’ 2,100-lot Spring Sale, March 5-7, 2009. An unprecedented influx of superior collections has come in over the winter months, said Morphy’s chief operating officer Dan Morphy, and because of the size of the sale inventory, each of the three days will be arranged in a logical order that caters to specialty collectors’ preferences. Additionally, the Thursday and Friday sessions will commence at 10 a.m., two hours earlier than has been customary for weekday sessions at Morphy’s.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A full day’s worth of antique advertising and general store items is slated for the opening session on Thursday, March 5. Among the highlights are a 30-year collection of early apothecary candy jars, including a 12-inch ground banjo jar; and a single-owner collection of more than 200 advertising pieces from the categories of automobilia, soda pop, tobacco, thermometers and more. In addition, bidders will be able to take their pick from a colorful array of syrup dispensers, trade signs, string holders, spool and ribbon cabinets.
A superb collection of more than 250 Coca-Cola advertising pieces encompasses signs, calendars, coolers, vibrant festoons and a very rare set of five life-size Coca-Cola cardboard “serving girls.” In near-mint-plus condition, the quintet of figural signs is expected to fetch $10,000-$15,000.
One of America’s most enduring advertising symbols, Planters’ Mr. Peanut, will strut across the podium as part 1 of the renowned Van Benedick collection is auctioned. Benedick is a noted historian on the subject of the Planters company and its top-hatted, monocled mascot. Among the top pieces in the 80-lot Benedick selection are a 6½-foot-tall 1930s Mr. Peanut sign that came from a wall at Planters’ Nashville production facility, estimate $15,000-$25,000; and a Canadian papier-mâché statue of Mr. Peanut that stands 20 inches tall, estimate $5,000-$7,500. A highly desirable lithographed, diecut-tin Mr. Peanut wrap-around jar display is also estimated at $5,000-$7,500.