All roads led to Vegas for Morphy’s $4.26M Automobilia and Petroliana Auction

LAS VEGAS – Morphy Auctions realized an amazing $4.26 million in sales for its Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana Auction, held on February 24 and February 25. The 1,247-lot sale was conducted at its West Coast satellite gallery. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers. All prices include buyer’s premium.

The rainbow array of neon signage was led by a Polly Gas porcelain sign that illuminated in three colors. The 96in-long sign had never been removed from its original can. In the end, pretty Polly flew off to a new owner who paid $138,000 against an estimate of $60,000-$100,000.

Another sought-after highlight was an outstanding Mohawk Gasoline porcelain neon sign designed in a cathedral shape with an American Indian brave shown in profile. It sold for $105,000 against an estimate of $30,000-$60,000.

A double-sided porcelain neon sign for GMC Trucks, complete with its bullnose attachment, hammered for $56,580 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

Another dealership sign that found favor was an outstanding Ford script three-dimensional neon sign. Its only message was ‘Ford’, and that’s all it had to say at a massive 111 inches wide by 42 inches high. It hit the road for $41,820 against an estimate of $15,000-$30,000.

In the non-neon group, success had been predicted for a Frontier Gas ‘Rarin’ To Go’ double-sided porcelain sign with the widely recognizable Golden Rider cowboy graphic. The 60in sign sold at the midpoint of its estimate for $60,000.

After the blockbuster sale closed its books, Dan Morphy said: “Las Vegas is really proving to be the hotspot for our antique advertising, coin-op and petroliana auctions. People enjoy attending those sales and they like coming to Las Vegas, where there’s so much to do.”

Polly Gas neon sign, which sold for $138,000 at Morphy.

Polly Gas neon sign, which sold for $138,000 at Morphy.

Mohawk Gasoline neon sign, which sold for $105,000 at Morphy.

Mohawk Gasoline neon sign, which sold for $105,000 at Morphy.

GMC Trucks neon sign, which sold for $56,580 at Morphy.

GMC Trucks neon sign, which sold for $56,580 at Morphy.

Ford script neon sign, which sold for $41,820 at Morphy.

Ford script neon sign, which sold for $41,820 at Morphy.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

High-octane Automobilia & Petroliana on track for success at Morphy’s, July 19-20

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+. Estimate $50,000-$100,000

DENVER, Pa. – The demand for rare, high-quality automobilia and petroliana has never been greater, and Morphy Auctions‘ experts have never been more active in their quest to secure superior-quality consignments from long-held collections. The Pennsylvania company’s July 19-20 auction is packed with obscure advertising signs, gas pumps and globes; plus a specialty selection of more than 230 graphic motor oil cans touting such brands as Bisonoil, The Bomber, Skunk Oil, Iroquois and many more. In addition, the 1,000-lot sale features other types of signage, including neon, clocks, and soda pop advertising. Absentee and Internet live bidding is accessible through LiveAuctioneers.

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World records tumbled at Morphy’s $8.1M petroliana auction featuring Knudsen collection

The top lot of the three-day sale was this stunning and rare Wasatch Gasoline 48-inch-diameter porcelain service station sign, which sold for $324,000 against an estimate of $75,000-$150,000. New world-record auction price

 DENVER, Pa. – The energy was palpable at Morphy’s March 21-23 Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana Auction featuring Part II of the incomparable Bobby Knudsen Jr. gas and oil advertising collection. Aggressive bidding sent prices to the Moon, with the four top sellers knocking down nearly $1.1 million. The three-day event containing 1,600 lots from the Knudsen collection plus other select consignments, chalked up a grand total of more than $8.1 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s Mar. 21-23 auction rolls out Part II of Knudsen petroliana collection

Incredible 48in Frontier Gasoline (Denver, Colo.) ‘Rarin’ To Go’ double-sided porcelain sign with image of cowboy on rearing horse. Marked ‘S.P.S.’ and dated 1954. One of only a handful known. Side 1 graded 8.75+; Side 2 graded 8.5. Provenance: Bobby Knudsen Jr. collection. Estimate $50,000-$100,000

DENVER, Pa. – On March 21-23, Morphy’s will continue the exciting year-long adventure of auctioning the Bobby Knudsen Jr Collection of World-Class Automotive, Gas & Oil and Soda Pop Advertising. The series debuted to rave reviews on September 30 of last year and continues this month with Part II of Bobby’s collection anchoring the sale on day one, and additional select consignments following on days two and three. It’s going to be a high-octane event with more than 1,600 lots, enough to ensure that every bidder has a great chance of landing something special from a highly pedigreed source. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy Auctions reports blockbuster year with 2021 sales exceeding $50M

Rare and exceptional Mohawk Gasoline circular porcelain neon service station with Native American graphic and original cast-metal mounting stand. Produced in the 1930s for Mohawk Oil Co., Bakersfield, California. 9.0+ condition. Sold at Morphy’s Oct. 3-4, 2021 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction for its high-estimate price of $120,000

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions is pleased to report a year of unprecedented new-buyer interest and stellar results across all categories in 2021, with gross sales surpassing $50 million.

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