A rare unpainted original casting of a Popeye Patrol motorcycle originated in Hubley’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania factory and was later professionally painted in the correct color palette for the toy. Note anchor tattoos on Popeye’s arms. Sold for $1,800 plus buyer’s premium at Morphy Auctions on Dec. 10, 2016. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers and Dan Morphy Auctions.
NEW YORK — Among the most beloved characters to emerge from a comic strip is Popeye the Sailor Man, who transcended the printed page to become a pop-culture icon. A star of the comics page, a television cartoon series and a 1980 movie starring Robin Williams, Popeye is famous for his love of spinach and his lanky girlfriend, Olive Oyl, as much as his intolerance for bullies.
