When I was a boy, there was an old gas station in the town I grew up in. It was an old style station, maybe built in the ’20s or ’30s with a simple two-bay garage, and an office-waiting room all connected to a round-edged canopy over a single island that likely held two pumps. The garages contained two in-ground lifts and an ocean of old tools including the technical stuff from Sun and whatnot. The crown jewel, to me, about this station though was the clock. It was a massive, circular neon situation with big black numbers on a white face. By the time I was paying attention the station, the clock was non functioning, at least to my memory it was. But it looked so cool – and the station, it looked like something Abbott and Costello would work at in one of their films. I loved it. Just down the street was the neon sign to end all neon signs at Joe Evans Tires, but that’s a story for another time. The clock was amazing to young little ol’ me. So, through life, I quietly sought out something similar. Sadly, the clock in my hometown is no more – in fact, I think the station has been torn down, but I could be wrong. Regardless, there are so many great neon clocks out there, many much smaller than the one that hooked me so long ago, much more fitting for my little garage.
The upcoming Richmond Auctions sale has a huge selection of clocks and a number of other fascinating things. To be held from Sept 19 thru Sept 21, the three-day sale is comprised from items from the Jay Barkheimer Collection and The Nines. The Barkheimer Collection likely needs no introduction, but The Nines is cute – it’s a gathering of items in a condition of 9 or better. Nicely, many of the items are eligible for free delivery to the upcoming AACA Fall Event at Hershey, Pennsylvania. See more about it below – even the clocks.
Featured Lots
Lot 125 - Shell Gasoline OPC Clamshell Milk Glass Gas Pump Globe
This One-Piece Cast (OPC) milk glass globe is said to be in very good condition, and its authenticity is guaranteed by Richmond Auctions. The Shell lettering has been repainted on both sides, the body is said to be very clean overall. Marked “Made in U.S.A.,” the globe displays very well. 18" tall
Lot 151 - 1947 Kendall the 2000 Mile Oil Neon Spinner Clock
Established in 1946 at Elkhart, Indiana, the Neocraft Manufacturing Company produced neon advertising clocks known as Neocraft Animations. Companies like Ford, Quaker State, Pepsi Cola, and many others ordered clocks through them, and they were known for blending high-quality materials and construction, creating timepieces that were also eye candy. Sadly, by 1970, the company closed its doors. But this Kendal Motor Oil clock is one of their creations, and is dated 1947, marking it as one of their earlier creations. With vibrant colors and light wear on the inner advertising face, the outer glass is clean, and the factory can has light wear.
22" H x 22" W x 5.5" D. Condition: 8.75.
Lot 267 - Dairy Queen Mr. Misty Icy Drink Lighted Sign
Dairy Queen has sprinkled the landscape of America since 1940 when the founders opened their first store in Joliet, Illinois, serving up a special blend of soft-serve ice cream developed by John Fremont McCullough and his son, Alex. This lighted plastic advertising sign is a unique piece of Dairy Queen history promoting the Mr. Misty “Refreshing Icy Drink.” The neon light is spread ingeniously across the plastic surface through circular grooves similar to those found in a Fresnel lens of a lighthouse, the blue, white, and orange advertising field placed across it. The plastic panel has a crack in the field and shows light wear on the perimeter, but the metal can is in very good condition. Item is complete with factory markings and decals.
13.5" H x 24.75" W x 3.75" D. Condition: 7.5
Lot 319 - 1920s Marathon Tires Poster
We’ve spoken a few times about experts in the field advising people to begin investing in paper promotional products, and this appears to be one of the great ones. A single-sided poster that’s been professionally matted and framed under plexiglass, the poster hails from the 1920s and promotes Marathon Tires with beautiful colors and detailed graphics of their Marathon Balloon Tire and running man.
Lot 589 - Marathon DSP Sign with Ring
One of the most sought after signs ever, this 48-inch Marathon Products with the running man illustration shows excellently with a few minor nicks and chips. One side shows a bit of restoration work, but again, the sign shows beautifully overall and is situated in the metal ring that shows day one color and gloss. Marked Veribrite Signs – Chicago, it is one for the books.
48” diameter. Condition: 9C/8.9
Lot 695 - NOS Navy Sweet Scotch Snuff Embossed SS Tin Sign with Paper
While promoting the idea of collecting paper promotional products, this sign is complete with the original protective paper. A Single Sided Tin (SST) embossed sign, the field is very clean overall with minor storage wear and excellent color and shine.
17.75" H x 11.75" W. Condition: 9
Lot 897 - Pontiac Parts Dept. Reverse Lighted Sign
Perfect for a bookshelf or atop a mantle, this Pontiac Parts Department sign is in beautiful condition. The ribbed, reverse-painted glass panel has been replaced and has vibrant colors and is in excellent condition. The metal can and rim are in excellent condition with minor age-related wear. The upper portion of the can retains the factory Ohio Advertising Display Co. decal.
5.75" H x 26.5" W x 3.75" D. Condition: 9
Lot 1074 - Packard Neon Advertising Sign with Spinner Clock
A very unique piece of Packard Motorcar history, this single-sided neon advertising sign features a spinner clock and a metal can. The upper neon lettering scripts “Packard” in blue with a white surround, and works as it should. The lower clock, spinner, and internal neon work correctly. The metal can has general age-related wear with unused stand supports at the top. Behind the neon lettering is a Swihart Products decal.
35" H x 28" W x 6.5" D. Condition: 8
Lot 1076 - Mobilgas Mobiloil Die Cut SSPN Sign
Incredible Single Sided Porcelain Neon (SSPN) 4-piece sign with a working clock and thermometer shows excellent color and is mounted in a new metal can. Boasting four neon colors with alternating wing neon which gives the illusion that Pegasus is flying, the sign has amazing documentation proving its provenance. Once situated atop the Chester Bridge, which opened in 1942 and was extensively repaired in 1944 after a storm destroyed a large section of it, the sign is absolutely stunning.
91.5" H x 132" W x 8.75" D. Condition: 8
Lot 1100 - Miller’s High-Test Farm Made Ice Cream SSPN Sign
Complete with an assortment of Miller’s Dairy photographs and other items such as ice cream boxes, 5-pount creamed cottage cheese cardboard container, and more, this two-piece Single-Sided Porcelain Neon (SSPN) sign shows excellent color and good gloss and uses unusual, eye-catching colors to stand out in any crowd. The sign shows general light wear and minor chipping.
66" H x 84" W x 8.5" W. Condition: 8.25
