Morean Auctions taps into rare breweriana Feb. 3

BRIMFIELD, Mass. – Morean Auctions is conducting an online auction of premium breweriana that will conclude Sunday, Feb. 3. This auction features the balance of the incredible Don Augenstein tip tray collection, a large selection of rare and unique beer cans, advertising signs and serving trays. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

More than 50 tip trays are offered in the auction led by an example that exhibits hugely popular subject matter (above): a cowboy on a galloping horse, bursting from the range through the faux paper surface of the tray to deliver a bottle of National Beer to the viewer. American Art Works of Coshocton, Ohio, produced the 4¼-inch tray for the National Brewing Co. of San Francisco in the early 1900s.

Larger trays include the rare Pennsylvania tray from the South Bethlehem Brewing Co. The illustration depicts a group of puppies getting into mischief, spoiling the deck of playing cards and knocking over the master’s pipe (below).

The highest estimate in the auction – $10,000-$20,000 – goes to a possibly unique cone-top quart beer can from the short-lived Greater New York Brewery in New York City. American Can Co. produced the 32-ounce Lion Beer can in the late 1930s.

Star Peerless Brewing Co.’s Old Timer Beer cost 10 cents a glass when a lighted spinner sign hung on the wall of a tavern in the 1950s. This lighted sign was built to last and remains in excellent condition.

A unique treatment of the Anheuser-Busch logo appears on an 8-by-5¼-inch sign the predates Prohibition. The logo, border and typography appear to be applied to the sign, rather than employing a traditional embossing method to achieve a three-dimensional look.

Lot 1 will close at noon Eastern time on Feb. 3 and each lot will close approximately a minute apart thereafter in lot order.