Jackie and Steve Karlock had a spectacular collection of cars and memorabilia covering music, gas and oil, food services, and much more. Moving from Ventura County, California to Hannibal, Missouri some time back, they established a couple of museums and restored and lived in a historical home. They even had a museum dedicated to hauntings. Literally, ghosts and goblins.
After their passing in 2021, interestingly something like a month apart, the Karlock Family Trust and the City of Hannibal in Missouri worked to find a buyer for the home and the museums, but it appears as though only the house gained a new owner. Sadly, the museums had to be closed up, but not all is lost, as Rockabilly Auctions of Hartwell, Georgia has been enlisted to help find new caretakers for the pieces. The sale will take place August 22 thru 24 – just a few days from now – both in person and online.
Take a peek below at some of the items coming on offer, and register to bid here. To sell the cars, Rockabilly Auctions has partnered with Hagerty Marketplace, you can see them here. Some of the items crossing the block are truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, so don’t miss out. See ya there!
Recently, Live Auctioneers updated their payment and shipping terms, it’s important to read through those details before you bid. Rockabilly and Live Auctions believes everything in this auction to be authentic unless the words “fantasy,” “reproduction,” “contemporary,” “new,” or “age unknown” are used in the item description. See more here.
The Karlock sale is an online, timed auction that begins August 22 at 10am EST, preceding the two-day in-person auction August 23-24. The Rockabilly Gallery in Georgia is loaded with hundreds of original porcelain, metal, neon, and cardboard advertising signs, dozens of electric and neon clocks, gas pump globes, vintage toys, pedal cars, soda pop and automobilia collectibles, and much more.
Featured Lots
Lot 513 - Hudson Approved Accessories reverse-painted light-up sign
Presented in working order, this “Hudson Approved Accessories” lighted sign features reverse-painted glass with a few, very small flakes, and a metal can showing normal wear. Reverse-painted glass is as it sounds – the paint is applied directly to the glass, thus creating two images at once, the original and the one visible through the glass on the other side. The glass lends the painting a slight depth while protecting the paint on the other side. Measures 26.5" x 4.25" x 10"
Lot 510 - Tune-Up Brakes Mufflers lighted clock
Hailing from sometime in the 1960s, this clock features a plastic face with an aluminum can. Presented in striking black and white contrast, a red second hand matches the simple red dots marking the spots for 1 and 2, 4 and 5, 7 and 8, and 10 and 11 o’clock. Measuring 24.75” it’s perfect for any garage. Or den. Or office.
Lot 605 - Rexall Drugs DSP vertical bullnose neon sign
Stunning red and blue neon gleam on this DSP bullnose sign. The porcelain has some chips in the field and on the perimeter with some rust stains in some areas, but overall the sign displays very well. Crated size measures 144" x 24" x 51"
Lot 561 - 1941 Wurlitzer Model 850 Peacock Jukebox
One of the most spectacular jukeboxes ever created, it was by far the most elaborate and ornate, exhibiting a zenith of technology and American style on the threshold of entering World War II. This one is presented in working condition, save for one of the two frontal bubble tubes, and is said to sound great. Set up on “free play” with a credit switch located on the back, it comes loaded with 24 78 RPM records. Recently professionally serviced, it’s said to be in exceptional condition. Likely the most spectacular part of the jukebox is the centrally-mounted piece of glass with two peacocks screened to it. Translucent, the glass is lit from behind, a system of rotating, polarizing discs illuminating the scene in a constantly-changing scene of iridescent colors. 38"w x 65.5"h x 26"d
Lot 626 - Harry Mann Chevrolet Los Angeles, CA neon clock
For enthusiasts of automotive history, Los Angeles history, California history, or especially Chevrolet and Corvette history, this might be a must have. Complete with working neon, a metal can, and a glass face, this dealership clock promotes America’s #1 Corvette dealership, Harry Mann Chevrolet. Located on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, Harry Mann Chevrolet was reknowned for selling very special Corvettes to enthusiasts with racing and show on their minds and became famous for their specially-prepped Corvettes. 30” x 6”
Lot 665 - Thorobred Tires by Dayton porcelain neon sign
Presented in working condition, this two-color, SSPN sign features a light-up glass panel and metal can. The porcelain signs show bright coloring and good shine with small chips around the perimeter and a 2-inch touch-up in the top panel on the right side of the Thorobred. The Thorobred horse logo is a convex glass panel sign that lights up. The glass panel shows a few areas of light staining. Marked “Kirn Signs. St. Louis,” it is crated for transport, the crate measuring 77” x 17” x 60”
Lot 688 - Pontiac Guaranteed Goodwill Used Car single-sided tin neon sign
A SSTN sign in working order with two-color neon and a metal can, the tin is painted in red, white, and blue. With good color and shine, the sign presents nicely, but there is some flaked paint along the bottom edge, and some light wear on the right edge. A unique piece of Pontiac history. Crated and ready to go, the crate measures 37.5” x 11.5” x 55”
