Six-figure results for petroliana advertising graced day 3 at Richmond

Cougar Gasoline six-foot double-sided porcelain sign, which sold for $160,000 ($192,000 with buyer’s premium) at Richmond.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Richmond Auctions saved the best for the last day of its February 1-3 Premier Advertising Sale. Featuring the Jay Barkheimer collection, the sale included petroliana, automobilia, soda advertising, and country store and farm-related marketing materials. In all, more than 1,350 lots went to auction, with numerous items hitting six figures. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

The sale’s top lot was a virtually unheard-of Cougar Gasoline six-foot double-sided porcelain sign in new-old stock condition. Accompanied by its original shipping box labeled for Southwestern Porcelain, Inc. of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, the sign was never mounted and simply stored away until it landed in the Barkheimer collection. Cougar is a so-called ‘lost’ brand, with very few artifacts remaining. Bidders jumped at the chance to own the sign, with bidding opening at $100 and immediately accelerating to $30,000. The hammer fell at $160,000 ($192,000 with buyer’s premium), resulting in a likely record for this example.

Having been founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary with Golden Jubilee-related items, including a revamped logo which, for a time, overtook the classic Ford script. This single-sided porcelain and neon Golden Jubilee sign stands eight feet in height and is in remarkably good condition for a piece that had been in use since 1953. Once again, bidding jumped from $100 to $42,500 in short order before ending at $145,000 ($174,000 with buyer’s premium).

This outstanding Chevrolet ‘Super Service’ and Buick ‘Valve In Head’ double-sided porcelain neon sign once called Taylor Motor Company of Taylor, Texas home before landing in the Barkheimer collection. It hammered for $145,000 ($168,000 with buyer’s premium).

In completely original condition, including paint and porcelain, was a Cities Service (today’s Citgo) Koolmotor Oil double-sided cast-iron and porcelain ‘kite’ curb sign. More than three dozen escalating bids took the sign to a phenomenal $130,000 ($156,000 with buyer’s premium).

The final exceptional performer from Day 3 was a single-sided 42in porcelain Kelly Tires sign featuring its flapper-era character Lotta Miles. Originally made by Reliance Advertising Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the porcelain had been refitted into a new ring. It hammered for $100,000 ($120,000 with buyer’s premium).

Firearms with important provenance sound off at Richmond Auctions Nov. 18

Frank Pachmayr's engraved Parker Invincible Upgrade 28 gauge side by side shotgun, estimated at $15,000-$60,000 at Richmond Auctions.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Frank Pachmayr’s engraved Parker Invincible side-by-side shotgun and weapons formerly owned by Patrick Wayne, son of screen legend John Wayne, are just some of the many historically important firearms to be sold Saturday, November 18 by Richmond Auctions. The complete catalog is now available for review and bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Best known for rubber recoil pads and neoprene pistol grips that bear his name, Frank Pachmayr earned a reputation as “America’s gunsmith” for his prowess and inventiveness with firearms. His innovations helped turn the 1911 platform into one of the most enduring and popular designs among all handguns.

Naturally, the top lot of the sale is a Frank Pachmayr-modified firearm: a Parker Invincible Upgrade 28 gauge side by side shotgun. The circa-1937 gun was upgraded to “Invincible Grade” by Pachmayr at a later point and was a part of his personal collection. With deep relief floral engraving and the phrase “Custom by Pachmayr” in gold, this is a must-have for any Parker or Pachmayr collector. It is estimated at $15,000-$60,000.

John Wayne’s second son, Patrick, was the recipient of many commemorative firearms bearing his father’s name and likeness, custom-made by Colt and Winchester for Wayne and his family members. As such, they are virtually unique and uncirculated, making them the ultimate collector’s items for firearm and John Wayne enthusiasts alike.

This set of three Colt Army single-action revolvers are customized with John Wayne’s name and likeness and are in essentially new condition on a display plaque. They are estimated at $10,000-$60,000.

The Autry Museum of the American West was founded by film legend Gene Autry in 1988 to interpret and preserve Western American history. Beginning in 1991, the Autry commissioned legendary engraver Alvin White to embellish a series of 10 Colt SAA revolvers to be used as fundraisers at its annual event. This example is the first one sold, and is stunning and one of a kind. It too carries a $10,000-$60,000 estimate.

Orange Crush neon sign commands record-setting $189K at Richmond Auctions

Circa-1950s Orange Crush neon sign, $189,750. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions
Circa-1950s Orange Crush neon sign, $189,750. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions
Circa-1950s Orange Crush neon sign, $189,750. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A new world record was set at Richmond Auctions last month when a circa-1950s Orange Crush neon sign sold for $189,750 – the most a soda sign has ever brought at auction. Richmond Auctions is now the first auction house to sell a soda sign for more than $100,000, breaking the previously held record of $46,000 for a Satanet Soda sign, which was also sold at Richmond Auctions. Absentee and Internet live bidding for the February 17 sale was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Musgo Gasoline sign sells for record $1.5M at Richmond Auctions

Circa-1920s double-sided porcelain Musgo Gasoline sign, $1.5 million. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Circa-1920s double-sided porcelain Musgo Gasoline sign, $1.5 million. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Circa-1920s double-sided porcelain Musgo Gasoline sign, $1.5 million. Image courtesy of Richmond Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

GREENVILLE, S.C. – On August 27, Richmond Auctions set a new world auction record for the most expensive antique advertising sign when it sold a 48in double-sided porcelain Musgo Gasoline sign for $1.5 million against an estimate of $100,000-$750,000, shattering the previous record of $400,000.

Continue reading