One-cent Pepsin Gum dispenser— ‘And Your Fortune’— coin-op machine, which sold for $57,000. Showtime Auction Services image.
“This was by far the best collection of antique advertising we’ve ever had the privilege of selling,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services, Woodhaven, Mich. “The headliner was the lifetime collection of Don and Diane Sayrizi, collectors in many categories, especially antique advertising, plus items from over 100 other advanced collectors.”
Around 1,800 lots crossed the auction block over the course of the three days, with about 275 people attending the event in person and more than 2,000 bidders participating online, including those bidding via LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids totaled more than 500 combined. “It was a successful sale by any measure,” Eckles said.
The Pepsin Gum tin dispenser was in good condition, with a key, and was desirable for its rare tin litho fortune teller—a surefire conversation starter. The auction’s second top lot was a salesman’s sample tobacco humidor store showcase, made by Whitcomb Cabinet Co., Kansas City, Mo. Detailed with beveled mirrors and glass, galvanized steel-lined drawers, a copper base with vents, richly detailed wood carved base and carrying case, the lot fetched $36,000.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a buyer’s premium.
A mid-19th century E.R. Durkee & Co. Salad Dressing etched glass window, attributed to the Dorflinger Glass Co., White Mills, Pa., 20 inches by 24 inches, in excellent shape, garnered $27,000; and a Coca-Cola salesman’s sample glass cock cooler with original opener, cap catcher and sample cases of bottles, with just some minor rubs and scratches, made $18,000.
A rare Red Crown Gasoline and Polarine self-framed beveled edge tin-over-cardboard sign, copyright 1913, Standard Oil Co., depicting lazy drivers and measuring 19 1/4 inches by 27 1/2 inches, in overall very good condition, garnered $15,960; and a gorgeous Regina coin-operated disc changer, serial #45766, 33 1/2 inches by 69 inches, rose to $10,800.
A Winchester Repeating Arms advertising clock (“Big Game Rifles and Ammunition”) made by the Baird Clock Co., with pendulum and key, with some age stains to the face but in otherwise good condition, commanded $9,300; and a rare Musgo gas globe (“Michigan’s Mile Maker”), with an American Indian image painted on milk glass, 15 inches in diameter, hit $9,000.
A professionally restored, 72-inch-long 1926 Gendron Packard pedal car with running board step plate, cowl lights, running board mounted spotlight, dual fender well spares and dramatic opening rumble seat, sped away for $8,265, and a scarce Gendron Stutz Roadster pressed steel pull toy with a Packard hood ornament, 18 inches long, earned $7,410.
Two lots posted identical selling prices of $7,200. One was a 19-inch-by-25-inch Prince Albert tin sign depicting Chief Joseph, Nez Perce, compliments of R.J. Reynolds Co. and made by American Art Works, Coshocton, Ohio. The other was a Peerless Shoe Repair outdoor trade sign, two-sided, “Satisfaction Guaranteed—Work Done While You Wait,” 56 inches by 32 inches by 1 inch.
A Watling 5-cent Rol-A-Top cherry front slot machine, professionally restored and in good working condition, complete with keys, went for $6,600; and a professionally restored 1937 Steelcraft Auburn Super Charger Deluxe pedal car, colored Honolulu blue and silver, with chrome exhaust pipes, windshield and upholstered seat charged off for $4,680.
A hard-to-find Sykes After Shaving Powder tin with barber shop image and a scene titled Next, made by The Comfort Powder Co., Boston, 4 1/2 inches tall, breezed to $3,420; and a St. George fishing reel made by Hardy Brothers, Ltd. (England) topped out at $1,260.
Showtime Auction Services’ next big auction is scheduled for the weekend of April 4-6, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor. Featured will be the Robert and Janet Staub lifetime collection and Neil J. Frick antique store collection. Quality consignments for this and all future auctions are actively being sought. To consign a single item or a collection call Mike Eckles at 951-453-2415 or e-mail him at MikEckles@aol.com.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
One-cent Pepsin Gum dispenser— ‘And Your Fortune’— coin-op machine, which sold for $57,000. Showtime Auction Services image. Beautiful salesman’s sample tobacco humidor store showcase, with carrying case. Price Realized: $36,000. Showtime Auction Services image. E.R. Durkee & Co. salad dressing etched glass window attributed to Dorflinger Glass. Price Realized: $27,000. Showtime Auction Services image. Gorgeous Regina coin-operated music disc changer, #45766, complete with discs. Price realized: $10,800. Showtime Auction Services image. Red Crown Gasoline, and Polarine, self-framed beveled edge tin-over-cardboard sign. Price realized: $15,960. Showtime Auction Services image. Coca-Cola salesman’s sample cooler with original opener and cap catcher. Price realized: $18,000. Showtime Auction Services image.
