Bird in the Hand

Years ago, I photographed a collection smack in the middle of Hollywood that was packed with Italian cars. Oddly, although being in plain sight, it was invisible, thanks to being down a little alley off the boulevard. It was a crazy collection of old and new Italian cars, namely from Ferrari and Lamborghini with a few Maseratis and Fiats and Alfas sprinkled in for good measure. Of course, the garage was littered with signs and neons and banners and so on, most of them having something to do with European cars and parts. One, however, caught my eye, a double-sided porcelain neon Oldsmobile dealership sign complete with the earth wrapped in Jupiter’s circle.

Colored in blue with white lettering, tan complemented the overall look and the neon was supposed to glow light blue or white, the owner couldn’t recall which. He bought it in the 1980s and meant to restore it, but never got to it. Now, collecting all these foreign jobs, he saw little point in fixing it and hanging it – it didn’t make sense.

I asked what he paid for it so long ago, he said he couldn’t recall, but thought it was something like $200. We chuckled at that and I asked what it was worth now – he said he didn’t know, he’d never seen another one. Knowing I was an easy mark, he asked if I would like to buy it. I asked how much, he said one-thousand. I so very much wanted it and that grand was tempting because it wasn’t too far out of reach, despite trying to get GSM profitable, despite my wife and I just having had a kid, despite buying a new car, and so on – no, sure, a grand is easy!

But, I do really regret not buying that sign, as one turned up at another auction just a couple of years back and sold for a cool $15,000. Oh, how I kick myself – but so many stories like that surround us all, can’t get caught in the past when there is so much more in the future to look forward to. Which is why the upcoming Richmond Auctions event is so tempting – packed with oodles of great items, a few are catching my attention and making me wonder if I need to grab a bird in the hand. Take a look, and see what you need – maybe there’s an Oldsmobile sign there calling for you too.

Country Store and General Advertising

2-Day Event, Feb. 17-18, 2023

Contact: 864-382-1302 or jordan@richmondauctions.com

Visit Richmond Auctions

		Lot 502 - Rolls-Royce Dealership Sign This single sided porcelain neon (SSPN) sign is the only known example and has exceptional color and gloss. It is believed this sign was likely displayed at the Manhattan showroom of John S. Inskip, the largest importer of Rolls-Royce automobiles in the United States from the late 1930's to the late 1960s. Measures 27" x 106".
		Lot 490 - Mohawk Gasoline Porcelain Paddle Sign This is an extremely hard sign to find, and this is one of the best known examples. It displays exceptionally well on a custom-made bracket. Measures 14" x 17".
		Lot 493 - Early NOS 6-foot Ford Double-Sided Smaltz Punched Tin Sign This piece is a time capsule. It retains the majority of its original smaltz. Measures 36" x 71.5".
		Lot 494 - Harley-Davidson Motorcycles DSPL Hood Sign Consists of two single sided porcelain (SSP) signs with rolled edges. They are mounted to the original frame and lighted hood. Measures 34" x 60".
		Lot 511 - Harbor Petroleum SSP Sign Has very good color and gloss with a clean field and some light wear. It displays exceptionally well with the large aircraft graphic. Measures 39.25"x35".
		Lot 492 - 8-Foot Ford Jubilee SSPN Sign One of the most desirable Ford signs they ever produced. Displays exceptionally well and is in working condition. Measures 96" x 42" x 9".
		Lot 495 - 15-foot Allied Van Lines SSPN The truck wheels are animated. This sign was displayed on the Allied Van Lines building and is one of two known. Measures 60.5" x 179.5" x 9".
		Lot 500 - Super Chevrolet Service Milk Glass Neon Porcelain Sign Mounted on the original metal can. Displays exceptionally well and is in working condition. Measures 42" x 49".
		Lot 488 - Pontiac Customer Parking Vincel Double Sided Porcelain Neon Sign Originally from the Vincel dealership and would be impossible to upgrade. Measures 48" x 40" x 13".
		Lot 549 - Rare 10' Chevrolet Single Sided Porcelain Neon Sign With multiple colors in the border, this is a holy grail neon for any dealership collector. Mounted on a nice can with working neon. Measures 37.5" x 112.5" x 8".

The founder of Richmond Auctions, Jordan Richmond, has been in the hobby for over 15 years. His passion for finding investment quality collectibles is world renowned. Their goal at each auction is to bring you the highest quality and rarity seen in the automobilia and collectibles industry, featured with incredible detail to give you confidence when bidding.

Live in person bidding will take place at Richmond Auctions’ venue, located at 1451 Donaldson Rd, Greenville, SC 29605. Bid online via RichmondAuctions.com or the Richmond Auctions app. Phone and Absentee Bidding are available.  Please contact Jordan Richmond at 864-382-1302 or at jordan@richmondauctions.com.

Register to Bid