Morphy’s July 19-20 Automobilia & Petroliana auction crosses finish line at $2.3M

Outstanding Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain service station sign with airplane graphic. Clean, fresh-to-market example. Condition of each side: 9.0 and 8.9+. Sold within estimate range for $62,400

DENVER, Pa. – Led by an enviable array of rare advertising signs, gas pumps, globes and early service station and motoring accessories, Morphy Auctions July 19-20 Automobilia & Petroliana auction attracted bidders from coast to coast and cruised to a grand total of $2.3 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

Fresh-to-market Sinclair Aircraft porcelain service station sign with unbeatable airplane graphic was airborne at $62,400

The 1,000-lot sale featured superior-quality consignments from a number of advanced collections, offering bidders a chance to buy elusive pieces at condition levels that would be nearly impossible to improve upon.

Rare and outstanding SIPO (Silent Power Gasoline, San Antonio, Texas) 13.5in single-globe lens, circa 1930s. One of few known examples. Condition: 9.0. Sold within estimate for $20,910

To no one’s surprise, a clean, fresh-to-the-market Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain service station sign with an early airplane graphic (shown at top of page) landed in the auction’s #1 slot. Measuring 48 inches in diameter and graded a strong 9.0 and 8.0 on each of its sides, the coveted sign was pursued by not only petroliana collectors but also aviation enthusiasts. Propelled by multiple bidders, it rose to a lofty altitude, settling comfortably within its estimate range at $62,400.

Circa-1940s Paragon Gasolene double-sided porcelain sign with tanker trunk graphic, 26in diameter. Condition: 8.0, 7.9. Sold for $27,600 against an estimate of $8,000-$16,000

Collectors will pay a premium to acquire gasoline signs that are known to be rare, but even more so if they include attractive images of vehicles. A circa-1940s Paragon Gasolene double-sided porcelain sign with a tanker trunk graphic, its sides graded 8.0 and 7.9, respectively, sold for $27,600 against an estimate of $8,000-$16,000. A very scarce Sunset Gasoline & Rainbow Motor Oil double-sided porcelain service station sign depicting a brilliant sunset flanked by images of a speeding car and airplane sold near the top of its estimate range for $24,000.

Rare Sunset Gasoline & Rainbow Motor Oil double-sided porcelain service station sign with speeding car and airplane graphics alongside a brilliant setting-sun image. Condition: 8.5, 7.0. Sold near top of estimate range for $24,000

Neon car dealership signs, especially those in nice original condition, are always in demand as well. The July auction featured an outstanding dual-brand Cadillac and Oldsmobile die-cut porcelain neon sign with its correct bullnose attachment. A major statement piece measuring 82 by 108 inches and graded 8.75+ condition, it sold above high estimate for $25,200.

Outstanding Cadillac and Oldsmobile die-cut porcelain neon sign with crests for both brands, bullnose attachment. Size: 82in x 108in. Condition: 8.75+. Sold above high estimate for $25,200

A gleaming array of more than 160 gas pump globes crossed the auction block, with many tempting rarities in the mix. A complete 15-inch-diameter Jumbo Gas “Power To Pass” gas pump globe was made in the 1930s and retained its original high-profile metal body. One of few known examples, its main attraction was its outstanding central graphic of a lumbering elephant. Graded 8.5 out of 10 and estimated at $7,000-$14,000, the globe had many bidders chasing it until its run concluded at $20,910.

Rare and complete 15in Jumbo Gas ‘Power To Pass’ gas pump globe with excellent elephant graphic. High-profile metal body. Circa 1930s. One of only a few known examples. Condition: 8.5. Sold for $20,910 against an estimate of $7,000-$14,000

Another great example of early 20th-century art was the rare one-piece S-M (Southern Minnesota) Oil Co., Red Hat Gasoline gas pump globe with a jaunty top-hat graphic on each side. Made in the 1920s and one of only a handful of extant examples, it boasted a condition grade of 8.0 and sold for $20,000 against an $8,000-$14,000 estimate.

Rare one-piece S-M (Southern Minnesota) Oil Co., Red Hat Gasoline etched gas pump globe with iconic red top hat graphic on each side. Circa 1920s. One of few known examples. Condition: 8.0. Sold for $20,000 against an $8,000-$14,000 estimate

A Jenney (Boston, Mass.) Aero Solvenized Gasoline globe lens in gorgeous orange and periwinkle blue colors enhancing an airplane graphic was another top performer, selling for $21,600 against an estimate of $7,000-$14,000. Right alongside it, a rare and exceptional circa-1930s SIPO (Silent Power Gasoline, San Antonio, Texas) 13.5-inch single-globe lens presented in very fine 9.0 condition. It sold within its estimate range for $20,910.

Rare Jenney (Boston, Mass.) Aero Solvenized Gasoline globe lens with airplane graphic. 13.25in diameter. Sold for $21,600 against an estimate of $7,000-$14,000

What would an automobilia or petroliana collection be without an antique gas pump? A circa-1920s Wayne Roman column 10-gallon visible gas pump in 8.0 condition sold above high estimate for $28,800; while a Wayne Model #50 showcase gas pump restored in royal blue and white Pure Gasoline livery earned $26,400 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

Circa-1920s Wayne Roman column 10-gallon visible gas pump with excellent patina. Size: 105in high. Condition: 8.0. Sold above high estimate for $28,800

Soda pop advertising was an added attraction of the two-day sale. The offerings were led by an exceedingly rare 14-inch Pepsi-Cola reverse-painted, illuminating glass “bullet” sign with a bottle graphic. Produced in the 1940s and retaining its original wood base and metal “can,” the condition 9.25 sign surpassed its high estimate to command an effervescent $21,420.