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.

Railroadiana steams to the forefront at Miller and Miller single-owner sale March 23-24

Canadian 1920s Grand Trunk Railway bronze locomotive bell, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

NEW HAMBURG, Canada – On Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24, Miller & Miller Auctions will present an Advertising, Railroadiana & Historic Objects auction showcasing the lifetime collection of William Robert Wilson. The catalog is now open for bidding on LiveAuctioneers.

“Bill Wilson curated one of Canada’s best collections of railroadiana to ever hit the market,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Nothing was held back, and collectors are stirring. Until now, only his closest friends knew what he had. Bill’s passion was railroad, but any object rich with historical meaning had a place in his collection. Session one on Saturday focuses on breweriana, stoneware, general store signage and unique historic maker’s plaques. Session two features Bill’s railroad spoils. It includes the most extensive collection of locomotive number plates ever offered at a single time. This is a historic, single-collector sale.”

Among the prizes on offer is a brass Canadian National Locomotive Mountain-type number plate, measuring 11 by 16 ¾in and coming from a famous locomotive built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930. Bearing the number 6057, it traveled more than 250 miles, from Kamloops in British Columbia to Jasper in Alberta, on a Royal Train Ride in 1939. “Each number plate is unique and is often the only remaining thread of a locomotive’s identity,” said Miller. Included is a copy of Canadian National Magazine, with a cover relevant to the plate. The lot carries an estimate of CA$5,000-$8,000 ($3,700-$5,925).

Worthy of mention is a Canadian Pacific Locomotive number plate, having the number 815, dating to the 1940s, and estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220). Featuring a cast-iron frame and brass numbers, it derives from a locomotive that was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1908 and later repainted. Ultimately scrapped in 1960, it was one of three that powered the special ‘triple-header’ train that chugged from Toronto to Orangeville and back within Ontario, Canada in May 1960.

Also on offer is a 1910s Canadian double-sided porcelain flange sign emblazoned with the words ‘Canadian Northern Express’ on black against a yellow background. Described as ‘rare’, it is estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220). Given the same estimate is a Canadian 1920s Grand Trunk Railway bronze locomotive bell, marked ‘GTR’ in the casting on its red-painted hanger.

Completing the highlights is a Canadian double-sided porcelain RCA Victor Globetrotter radio sign from the 1940s, estimated at CA$3,000-$5,000 ($2,220-$3,700). One side shows a pea-sized factory flaw below the left side hanging hole, and there are some scattered minor surface scratches, but competition should be keen for this piece.

Canadian National Locomotive Mountain-type brass number plate, used during a 1939 Royal Train Ride, estimated at CA$5,000-$8,000 ($3,700-$5,925) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian National Locomotive Mountain-type brass number plate, used during a 1939 Royal Train Ride, estimated at CA$5,000-$8,000 ($3,700-$5,925) at Miller & Miller.

1910s Canadian double-sided porcelain flange sign, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

1910s Canadian double-sided porcelain flange sign, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1920s Grand Trunk Railway bronze locomotive bell, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1920s Grand Trunk Railway bronze locomotive bell, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1940s Pacific Locomotive number plate, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1940s Pacific Locomotive number plate, estimated at CA$2,000-$3,000 ($1,480-$2,220) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1940s double-sided porcelain RCA Victor Globetrotter radio sign, estimated at CA$3,000-$5,000 ($2,220-$3,700) at Miller & Miller.

Canadian 1940s double-sided porcelain RCA Victor Globetrotter radio sign, estimated at CA$3,000-$5,000 ($2,220-$3,700) at Miller & Miller.

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley

Sheila Gibson Stoodley is the associate editor for Auction Central News. She has written and edited for Robb Report, Art & Antiques magazine, and Andrew Harper online. She also authored The Hot Bid, a blog devoted to intriguing and delightful lots coming up at auction.

Holabird presents Marvels of the West Jan. 25-28

Six Nations General Council Seneca Document of 1833, estimated at $5,000-$10,000 at Holabird.

RENO, Nev. – Holabird kicks off its 2024 season with two back-to-back sales, collectively called Marvels of the West. The first will run as a timed-online auction at LiveAuctioneers Thursday, January 25 and Friday, January 26. The other auction will be a traditional live auction, also carried on LiveAuctioneers, slated for Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28.

Both events will contain about 500-600 lots per day, covering Western and Native Americana, Gold Rush, mining, coins and currency, railroadiana, tokens, philatelic items, bottles, ephemera and more.

“We know people love our live auctions, but don’t miss the timed online-only sales,” said Fred Holabird, president and owner of Holabird Western Americana, LLC. “The timed online sale provides a chance for collectors to compete for less expensive items on their own terms of value.”

The live sale is headed by a remarkable and historic handwritten 1833 letter delivered to a U.S. Indian Agent and intended for publication in the Buffalo Journal, an obscure, short-lived newspaper for which no copies have been digitalized, let alone determining how many still exist in any form. Here, the Chiefs of the Six Nations proclaimed through this signed document, written for them by their Indian Agent, that they had no interest and would not trade any more of their lands at the government’s request.

Apparently, skullduggery had taken place between some United States government officials, agents, and a few lesser chiefs to acquire key land parcels in a dubious scheme without the permission or knowledge of the Council of the Six Nations. In the document, the Chiefs of the Six Nations at Council unilaterally proclaimed, “The Chiefs belong to the Nations, not the Nations to the Chiefs” … in short, it states that the chiefs cannot act individually or without consent of the Council for their own benefit. The document carries an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

A major collection of railroad dining ware continues to emerge at successive Holabird sales. This Gulf, Mobile & Ohio dinnerware set dates to 1950 and is in excellent condition. It is estimated at $2,500-$5,000.

Also included is the Ken Prag railroad and mining stock collection, to be sold in the timed auction on Days 1 and 2. Offered will be hundreds of different U.S. railroad stocks, some of which haven’t been seen in years. Holabird snuck in a few ‘ringers’, such as a stock signed by Declaration of Independence signer Robert Morris. It is estimated at $300-$600.

Longtime Holabird friend Ron Reed passed away last year, and his family asked the house to sell his collection of Colorado embossed bottles. Reed had purchased a number of key pieces out of the previous Gary Bracken sales, so those are now available. A set of three Pueblo dosage (aka shot) glasses carries the top estimate of the collection at $300-$400, while a coffin-shaped liquor bottle marked Victor, Colo. has a broad estimate of $600-$20,000.

A set of 21 promotional paperweights fashioned as miniatures of landmark American steam and diesel locomotives is included in the sale. Most were made by the locomotive manufacturers, given to railroad executives, and decorated to look like their line, with cast legends of each locomotive’s identity. The set includes 12 duplicates and is estimated at $1,500-$3,000.

Six Nations General Council Seneca Document of 1833, estimated at $5,000-$10,000 at Holabird.

Six Nations General Council Seneca Document of 1833, estimated at $5,000-$10,000 at Holabird.

Gulf Mobile & Ohio RR china dinner service, estimated at $2,500-$5,000 at Holabird.

Gulf Mobile & Ohio RR china dinner service, estimated at $2,500-$5,000 at Holabird.

North American Land Company stock certificate, datelined Philadelphia, issued February 20, 1795, to William Temple Franklin (son of Ben) and signed by financier Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and James Marshall, estimated at $300-$600 at Holabird.

North American Land Company stock certificate, datelined Philadelphia, issued February 20, 1795, to William Temple Franklin (son of Ben) and signed by financier Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and James Marshall, estimated at $300-$600 at Holabird.

Set of three Pueblo dosage (aka shot) glasses, estimated at $300-$400 at Holabird.

Set of three Pueblo dosage (aka shot) glasses, estimated at $300-$400 at Holabird.

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.

1925 Karl Muller carousel lights up lineup at Morphy’s Nov. 15-16

1925 Karl Muller carousel, $120,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

DENVER, Penn,  — Morphy Auctions‘ final advertising sale of the 2023 season features a unique mix of country store items and railroadiana on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16. Featuring more than 1,400 lots, the catalogs are now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

The star of the sale is a 1925 Karl Muller carousel that is in full operational condition after a meticulous restoration. The amusement boasts 18 horses, sleighs and a suspended gondola. “Fully-operating carousels do not come around very often, and hardly ever fully restored and ready for any location,” noted Morphy curator Tom Tolworthy. Measuring 29.5 by 12ft, the carousel is located in the Netherlands. It carries an estimate of $120,000-$150,000.

Also impressive is a 54in-tall Sunbeam Bread tin embossed sign featuring Little Miss Sunbeam from 1953. In nearly perfect condition, the auction house notes that the sign, estimated at $3,000-$5,000, is “a terrific example that would be difficult to upgrade.”

Two collections were combined for Morphy’s railroadiana sale, comprising nearly 800 lots. There’s a dizzying array of station signs, whistles, bells, lanterns and builder plates. Among the standout lots is this circa-1940s Union Pacific Railroad single-sided porcelain shield measuring 22.5 by 2 by 26.5in. In remarkable condition, the shield is estimated at $1,500-$3,000.

In the 1940s, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway’s passenger service was marketed with American Indian themes, owing largely to the territory the AT&SF’s lines traversed. This Hopi kachina-style panel was originally installed in a Santa Fe Vista-Dome car, where passengers could sit “above” the regular roofline of the fleet and view passing surroundings. It has an estimate of $500-$5,000.

1925 Karl Muller carousel, $120,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

1925 Karl Muller carousel, $120,000-$150,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Sunbeam Bread tin embossed sign featuring Little Miss Sunbeam, $3,000-$5,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Sunbeam Bread tin embossed sign featuring Little Miss Sunbeam, $3,000-$5,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Union Pacific Railroad single-sided porcelain shield, $1,500-$3,000 at Morphy Auctions.

Union Pacific Railroad single-sided porcelain shield, $1,500-$3,000 at Morphy Auctions.

AT&SF Hopi kachina-style panel from a Santa Fe Vista-Dome car, $500-$5,000 at Morphy Auctions.

AT&SF Hopi kachina-style panel from a Santa Fe Vista-Dome car, $500-$5,000 at Morphy Auctions.

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.

Railroadiana, clocks and lanterns light the way at EstateOfMind, May 6

Newburgh Brewster Fire Department engraved lantern, estimated at $25-$1,000
Newburgh Brewster Fire Department engraved lantern, estimated at $25-$1,000
Newburgh Brewster Fire Department engraved lantern, estimated at $25-$1,000

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – An astounding 50-year collection of railroadiana, clocks and lighting from the estate of Wayne Rheinfeld will headline a two-session Important Estate Auction on Saturday, May 6 offered by EstateOfMind Auctions. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Morphy’s Nov. 3-5 auction rings with sounds of rare antique coin-op machines

Circa-1904 Caille Bros. 5-cent Roulette floor-model slot machine with seven coin-slots. Fresh to the market after being purchased from The Las Vegas Club in the 1970s. Finest original Caille Roulette machine that Morphy’s specialists have ever seen. Estimate $200,000-$300,000. Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Circa-1904 Caille Bros. 5-cent Roulette floor-model slot machine with seven coin-slots. Fresh to the market after being purchased from The Las Vegas Club in the 1970s. Finest original Caille Roulette machine that Morphy’s specialists have ever seen. Estimate $200,000-$300,000. Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

DENVER, Pa. – Once found at saloons, hotel lobbies and oceanfront boardwalks all across America, antique coin-op machines are quaint reminders of an era when radio, television and video games were still mysteries of the future. For mere pocket change, turn-of-the-century fun-seekers could enjoy an entire afternoon of entertainment. By simply dropping a penny, nickel or quarter into the slot of a coin-operated machine, they could have their fortunes told, watch primitive motion pictures, listen to rhapsodic tunes from a mechanical band, or try their luck at any number of gambling devices or games of chance.

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Stephenson’s recalls Fab ’50s and More with July 29 auction

Seeburg Select-O-Matic 100 High Fidelity Model HF 100R jukebox, plays 45rpm records, 1 play for a dime, 3 plays for a quarter. Comes with original manual and keys. Estimate $1,000-$2,000

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On July 29th, Stephenson’s Auctions will return to the days of sock hops, drive-ins and old gold Chevys as they host a colorful 252-lot auction titled Fab ‘50s and More. The sale features a single-owner collection of advertising signs and store displays; boardwalk amusement games, vintage clocks and telephones; cash registers, vending machines, railroadiana, a diner booth, vibrant Fiestaware, and a Dunhill stainless steel soda fountain and related accessories. The saleroom will be filled with not only colorful sights but also the nostalgic sounds of vintage radios, a Bally Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man pinball machine, and a Seeburg Select-O-Matic jukebox, wall-mount speaker and Wall-o-Matic tabletop music selector.

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1959 Chevy Corvette was top prize at Miller & Miller sale

Fully restored powder blue 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, CA$82,600

 

Fully restored powder blue 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, CA$82,600
Fully restored powder blue 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, CA$82,600

NEW HAMBURG, Canada – A fully restored powder blue 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible sped off for $82,600 in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Petroliana, Railroadiana & Advertising auction held on June 18. One hundred percent of lots sold, and 86 percent of the top 50 lots exceeded estimate. Overall, the auction grossed $628,674. All prices are given in Canadian dollars.

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Trains and automobiles fuel Miller & Miller’s June 18 sale

 

Fully restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, est. CA$45,000-$60,000
Fully restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, est. CA$45,000-$60,000

NEW HAMBURG, Canada – A fully restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, a 1937 Ford Model 78 Deluxe convertible sedan and a 1930s Service Station Equipment Co., Ltd. Canadian double gasoline pump are just a few of the treasures that await bidders in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Petroliana, Railroadiana & Advertising auction planned for Saturday, June 18 at 9 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers. All estimates quoted are in Canadian dollars.

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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.

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