Special Edition: Pre-bidding Available for Upcoming Morphy Auctions Feb. 17-19 Event
It’s absolutely amazing to me that more people don’t collect signs and cans and the like from the turn of the last century. The lithography and art, the registrations and colors are absolutely stunning. Even the writing and messaging is on another level. Considering the printing technology we have today, it’s shocking and kind of shameful our new containers and posters aren’t more impressive. I’d argue they’re less impressive, actually. I would think that by today, holographic signs would be talking to us, promoting products and services as they floated in a box or something, like something out of “Star Trek.” I guess it all boils down to expense. But I can’t imagine the posters of yester-century were exactly inexpensive to produce, but who knows? But when you look at the lithography, the printing skills, the artistic imagery, the details in those old cans and signs – I don’t know about you, but I’m fairly blown away. Kind of like old stamps. Have you ever looked at those? Insane. I guess this is part of why we collect them, right?
Morphy Auctions has a wonderful sale going on with some extraordinary pieces available. Nicely, you can bid online, over the phone, or in person and truly – some of the items up for bid are mind blowing. Below are a few, but click over to their website to see the whole catalogue. I’m wondering if it’s too early to buy things for Christmas? Is it wrong to buy a gift or five for myself? Take a look, see what you want to bring home!
Featured Lots
Lot 1256 - Ace High Motor Oil Embossed Tin Sign
Marked “Novelty Advertising Co., Coshocton, Ohio,” this Single-Sided Tin Ace High Motor Oil sign is exceedingly rare and presents in stunning condition, with Morphy stating it’s one of the very best they’ve ever seen. Certified by Authentication & Grading Services, or AGS, the sign has excellent color and gloss and shows no notable inner field wear except for some extremely fine surface scratches and a shallow dent line.
Lot 1215 - Hancock Gasoline Porcelain Pump Plate
Certified by Authentication & Grading Services, or AGS, this Hancock Gasoline Porcelain Pump Plate shows gorgeously throughout with exceptional color and gloss and no notable field wear. The full-feathered rooster graphic is stunning.
Lot 1136 - Ben Franklin Premium Regular Gasoline Globe
Complete with two lenses, both are retained within a Red Ripple Gill Body with a screw base. Each lens is in very good condition, with minor blemishes and the red ripple is in excellent condition throughout. The original copper collar is intact and the globe looks as though it’s actually never been taken apart.
Lot 2175 - Use Associated Gasoline Porcelain Sign
A super rare Single-Sided Porcelain sign promoting “More Miles to the Gallon,” this “Use Associated Gasoline” sign is akin to a Loch Ness Monster sighting. Showing some fine surface scratches and age wear to the gloss, the sign has some areas of restoration, but is otherwise extremely presentable.
Lot 2013 - Campbell’s Tomato Soup Porcelain Sign
Hailing from the 1920s, this Single-Sided Curved Porcelain sign depicts a tomato soup can with excellent color and gloss throughout and minimal wear. An exceptionally clean sign, it’s also very interesting and stunning in detail – the graphics and registration are spectacular.
Lot 1278 - Goodrich Guide Post Iron Highway Sign
A stunningly rare Single-Sided Iron sign with drilled lettering, this sign harkens back to the 1910s. Retaining most of its original paint, the sign shows light areas of color match and rusted surfaces. With no notable damage, the original hardware is in place and all-in-all, it displays beautifully. Stunning piece of California motoring history.
Lot 1294 - Indian Motorcycle Oil Can
Made specifically for the Indian Motorcycle Company by the Valvoline Oil Company, this one-gallon can hails back to the 1920s. Marked “Enterprise Stamping, Pittsburgh, PA,” the colors are glossy and bright, the registrations are strong and very intricate, a remarkable piece indeed.
We at Morphy Auctions continue our proven market success and record-breaking sales across multiple divisions. Consignments and referrals are always open for our upcoming auctions. For more information, please connect with our customer experience team at 877-968-0888 or complete a consignment form at www.morphyauctions.com.
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