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Ground Floor Ops

Ground Floor Ops

In the 1989 film Batman starring Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Jack Palance, and a host of other headliners, Joker (Nicholson) is surprised again by the caped crusader and wonders aloud and with some frustration, “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” Once in a while, an auction can make me utter the same question, and this is one of them. Packed with rare signs and neons, the offerings are bolstered with a number of banners and posters, cloth and paper collectibles that are emerging as the next big thing. This is likely a great way and time to get in on the ground floor of that movement. Take a look at some of the offerings below, or click over here and see the catalogue.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction

Join us Sept. 29-Oct. 1 for an incredible Gas & Oil sale at Morphy Auctions featuring the third and final installment of the Bobby Knudsen Jr. Collection, plus other select consignments. Get ready to bid on rare and fresh-to-the-market signs, globes, cans, and gas pumps, with pre-sale estimates ranging from $100-$100,000. This exciting sale offers something special for every collector.

Featured Lots

Lot 1094 -  - Beacon Ethyl Gasoline Porcelain Service Station Lighthouse Sign Lot 1094 - Beacon Ethyl Gasoline Porcelain Service Station Lighthouse Sign

A very clean and excellent-displaying example of an incredible piece of circa-1930s advertising from Beacon Gasoline. One of the most unique porcelain signs in the history of gas & oil advertising.


 
Lot 1244 -  - Sinclair Aircraft Porcelain Sign with Airplane Graphic Lot 1244 - Sinclair Aircraft Porcelain Sign with Airplane Graphic

This circa-1930s piece from Sinclair features an outstanding airplane graphic on each side, as well as Sinclair script with a red background. Sign features heavy shelving between each color with "orange peel"-like porcelain surface.


 
Lot 1322 -  - Rare Mobiloil Porcelain Service Station Sign with Race Car Graphic Lot 1322 - Rare Mobiloil Porcelain Service Station Sign with Race Car Graphic

An incredibly scarce and well-displaying circa-1920s porcelain sign from Mobiloil showing an outstanding die-cut race car image on each side.


 
Lot 1205 -  - Oilzum Motor Oils & Lubricants Tin Service Station Sign with Oswald Graphic Lot 1205 - Oilzum Motor Oils & Lubricants Tin Service Station Sign with Oswald Graphic

An exceptionally well-displaying example of a tin service station sign from Oilzum Motor Oils showing large Oswald The Driver graphic.


 
Lot 2158 -  - Husky Heavy Duty Motor Oils One-Quart Can with Husky Dog Lot 2158 - Husky Heavy Duty Motor Oils One-Quart Can with Husky Dog

One-quart can. An outstanding-displaying example of a rare one-quart from Husky Motor Oils showing bright colors with outstanding husky dog graphics.


 
Lot 2168 -  - McCoard Airliner Gasoline Single 13.5 Lot 2168 - McCoard Airliner Gasoline Single 13.5" Globe Lens with Aircraft Graphic

Single 13.5" globe lens. An outstanding and rare lens from McCoard Oil Company, Provo, Utah, showing McCoard Airliner Gasoline with airplane graphic and unique colors.


 
Lot 2167 -  - Hancock  Lot 2167 - Hancock "Cock of the Walk" Gasoline 15" Single Globe Lens on Metal Low-Profile Body

Single 15" globe lens on metal low-profile body. An outstanding and well-displaying example of an iconic globe lens from Hancock Gasoline showing excellent strutting rooster graphic and excellent script style.


 
Lot 3079 -  - Iconic Musgo Gasoline One-Piece Baked Globe with Native American Graphic Lot 3079 - Iconic Musgo Gasoline One-Piece Baked Globe with Native American Graphic

One-piece baked globe is dated September 17th, 1929 with "Made In USA" ink stamp along the outer collar. An excellent and high-grade example of an incredibly detailed and iconic globe from Musgo Gasoline showing excellent hand-painted Native American graphic on each side.


 
Lot 3243 -  - Gulflube Oil Rack with 12 Gulflube Quarts Lot 3243 - Gulflube Oil Rack with 12 Gulflube Quarts

Very nicely-displaying circa-1950s Gulf Lube 1-qt. oil rack. The overall rack itself has been completely repainted and does come with 12 1-qt. Gulflube cans, all of which have both top and bottom lids. Two of the 12 cans are NOS, full of oil.


 
Lot 3090 -  - Wayne Model #50 Showcase Gas Pump Restored in Firestone Tires Livery Lot 3090 - Wayne Model #50 Showcase Gas Pump Restored in Firestone Tires Livery

This Wayne Model #50 showcase gas pump has undergone outstanding restoration and displays Firestone Tires livery. Pump lights up beautifully and shows all of its glass shelves, which are in excellent condition on all sides.


 
 - Rare Bruin Oil & Gasoline Tin Flange with Bear Graphic Rare Bruin Oil & Gasoline Tin Flange with Bear Graphic


 
>> VIEW ALL GSM AUCTION LISTINGS <<

REGISTER TO BID


The live auction will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, starting each day at 9AM EST.

September 29: Lots 1,001 – 1,446

(Bobby Knudsen Jr. Collection)

September 30: Lots 2,001 – 2,451

October 1: Lots 3,001 – 3,396

Bids can be placed live online, by phone (absentee), or in person at Morphy Auctions’ gallery in Denver, Pennsylvania. Internet bidding is available through multiple platforms including Morphy Auctions, LiveAuctioneers or Proxibid.

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