Circa 1880s wooden cigar store Indian, 83 inches tall, possibly carved by Thomas Brooks (est. $50,000-$75,000). Showtime Auctions image.
Headlining the event will be the outstanding lifetime collection of Bill and Kathie Gasperino. The couple is well known in antique circles as having one of the finest country store and advertising collections in the United States. Also sold will be Part 2 of the Robert and Harriett Potter firefighting collection and Part 3 of the Ed and Christy Ramsey collection of pedal cars and toys.
“This is shaping up as our best spring auction ever,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services, based in Woodhaven, Mich. “Country store and advertising collectors will be astounded by what the Gasperinos have gathered over the years, the Potters have a vast accumulation of firefighting equipment, apparatus and memorabilia spanning 50-plus years, and the Ramsey collection covers 35 years.”
In addition, bidders will be treated to the usual lengthy list of categories that have come to typify a Showtime Auction sale: country store, advertising signs, store tins, soda fountain, Coca-Cola, Western, Native American, farm signs, whiskey, breweriana, match safes, drug store, barber shop, general store, saloon, post office, coin-op, arcade, scales, gambling, cigar and tobacco tins, cash registers, petroliana, showcases, store fixtures, millinery and more.
One of the expected star lots is an 1880s cigar store Indian with forged iron wheels, with attributes suggesting it was carved by Thomas Brooks (est. $50,000-$75,000). The figure is 83 inches tall, including the base, in very good condition and with most of the original paint intact. Also selling will be an excellent 1870s zinc cigar store Indian by William Demuth of New York.
Just two of the many rare and desirable automobilia and petroliana items being offered will include a Kelly Tire tin sign in good original condition, 24 inches in diameter (est. $15,000-$25,000), and a Hudson neon outdoor dealer sign in near-mint condition (est. $12,000-$15,000).
Bidders will be impressed by the rare Mills Silver Cup trade stimulator slot machine, one of only four known and in excellent, restored working order (est. $30,000-$50,000); and a full set of War Eagle slot machines with various denominations represented (est. $10,000-$15,000).
West Coast breweriana collectors will doubtless do battle over the Bellingham Bay Beer reverse glass sign, housed in its original frame, 19 1/2 inches in diameter (est. $20,000-$30,000); and a rare Buffalo Brewery reverse glass corner sign with factory scene (est. $30,000-$45,000).
Certain to garner attention is a spectacular saloon back bar with four fancy columns with cast-iron embellishments, impressive at 12 1/2 feet by 9 1/2 feet (est. $25,000-$50,000). The back bar boats high relief applied trim, beveled mirrors, marble top, slag glass cameos and original lights. Also selling will be a bank wall with teller window, post office, hardware wall unit, soda fountain front and back bar, plus many other desirable turn-of-the-century store fixtures.
Vintage cars will roar off with new owners at the wheel. These include a fresh-to-the-market 1948 Pontiac “Woody” eight-cylinder station wagon with four-speed Hydramatic transmission, mechanically sound and ready for a road trip (est. $30,000-$40,000); and an eye-catching 1947 Fleet Mfg. “cabin car” wood teardrop travel trailer, 14 feet in length (est. $3,000-$5,000).
If cash registers are your collectible of choice, this auction features more than 15 rare National Cash Registers, ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 in value. One is sure to stand out, though. It’s a National Cash Register Model 6, commonly known as “the barber shop model,” and it has been fully restored to its original condition, with an extended oak base (est. $3,000-$4,500).
Native American items will include an 1890 Sioux beaded horse saddle blanket in excellent condition (est. $2,500-$4,500). The early saddle blankets are some of the rare beaded pieces available for collectors. Also being sold will be many other beaded Native American artifacts, to include moccasins, gauntlets, pipe bag, a complete suit and a baby’s cradle.
Many rare store displays and products will come under the gavel, such as a Munsingwear tin die-cut store display in excellent condition, with 9 1/2 inch square base and 45 inches tall (est. $2,000-$4,000). It is one of four Munsingwear tin displays to be sold, along with other makers.
The first day of the auction, Friday, April 12, will be for the live audience only – no phone or Internet bidding. The hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. EDT. Auction hours are Saturday are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (with uncataloged items for floor bidding only from 8-10 a.m.).
To order a full-color 208-page printed catalog, call Amy at 734-675-6265.
To consign an item, an estate or a collection, call Michael Eckles at 951-453-2415 or email him at mike@showtimeauctions.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Circa 1880s wooden cigar store Indian, 83 inches tall, possibly carved by Thomas Brooks (est. $50,000-$75,000). Showtime Auctions image. Extremely rare Mills Silver Cup trade stimulator slot machine, one of only four known (est. $30,000-$50,000). Showtime Auctions image. Spectacular saloon back bar boasting four fancy columns with cast-iron embellishments (est. $25,000-$50,000). Showtime Auctions image. Bellingham Bay Beer reverse glass sign in the original frame, 19 1/2 inches in diameter (est. $30,000-$45,000). Showtime Auctions image. Native American Sioux beaded horse saddle blanket, rare and in excellent condition. (est. $2,500-$4,500). Showtime Auctions image. National Cash Register Model no. 6, commonly known as ‘the barbershop model’ (est. $3,000-$4,500). Showtime Auctions image. Scarce Kelly Tires tin sign in good original condition, 24 inches in diameter (est. $15,000-$25,000). Showtime Auctions image. Munsingwear tin die-cut store display, complete with three boxes of product, excellent condition (est. $2,000-$4,000). Showtime Auctions image. 1948 Pontiac ‘Woody’ station wagon ready for the road (est. $30,000-$40,000). Showtime Auctions image.
