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.

Continue reading

Morphy’s secures right to auction peerless Bobby Knudsen Jr petroliana collection

L to R: John Mihovetz, head of Morphy Auctions’ Automobilia and Petroliana department and Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions, with two of Bobby Knudsen Jr’s favorite gasoline signs, advertising the brands Husky (auction low estimate $125,000) and Musgo (auction low estimate $275,000), respectively. Morphy Auctions image

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions is delighted to announce that they have been chosen to auction the world-class Bobby Knudsen Jr Collection of antique and vintage petroliana and soda pop signs. The collection will be offered in a series of three no-reserve auctions over a one-year period, with Part I to take place around the time of the October 4-7, 2022 AACA Hershey Fall Meet & Show. Part II will be auctioned in spring 2023, and the third and final sale will be held on a date within close proximity to the Fall 2023 AACA Hershey event. All three auctions will be conducted live at Morphy Auctions’ gallery in Denver (Lancaster County), Pennsylvania, with all forms of remote bidding also available, including live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Morphy’s rings up $2.4M at Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana Auction

Buick Authorized Valve In Head neon porcelain sign in complete, original condition graded 9.0+ on both of its sides. Sold above estimate for $27,600

DENVER, Pa. – Trains, planes and automobiles were on the minds of bidders who brought their A-game to Morphy’s big March 29-30 Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana auction. The colorful 1,498-lot sale featured rare, fresh-to-the-market examples of signage, gas pumps, globes and other service station equipment from motoring’s golden era. The two-day grand total came to a hefty $2.4 million. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading