It’s not everyday one runs across a bronze 27” tall Rolls-Royce dealership Spirit of Ecstasy statue for sale, but Morphy Auctions has one on offer now through their October 4 & 5, 2025 Automobilia and Petroliana catalog.
Set upon a marble base marked “Charles Sykes 1928,” the sculpture is said to be in outstanding condition with a beautiful patina. Also known by the names of “Emily,” “Silver Lady,” and “Flying Lady,” Sykes world famous Rolls-Royce radiator mascot carries with it the history of a love affair between John Walter Douglas-Scott-Montagu and the model for the sculpture, Eleanor Velasco Thornton, known also as Nelly Thornton and sometimes Thorn. Sykes was commissioned by Lord Montagu to produce a special mascot for his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, which begat “The Whisperer,” a statue of a young woman in flowing robes with her forefinger to her lips. During this time, a number of sculptors were producing custom figurines for clients to serve as radiator mascots, and many of them were inappropriate in multiple ways. Claude Johnson, managing director for Rolls-Royce at the time, commissioned Sykes to produce something more appropriate that could be affixed to every car they made and convey the spirit of Rolls-Royce’s attributes. Sykes modified “The Whisperer” into the “Spirit of Speed,” which would ultimately be recoined as “The Spirit of Ecstasy.” See the statue here.
Another stunning piece is a single-sided porcelain neon Super Chevrolet Service sign. Said to be in very original condition and free of any touch up or repairs, the sign shows all of its original neon tubing and metal hardware mounted on a newly-made metal can with a new transformer and electrical. The original green and blue neon lights up and the sign all around shows spectacular color and gloss.
Introduced during the 1930s, Chevrolet’s Super Service program was a way to ensure customers that their Chevrolet vehicles were being cared for in the best manner possible. Afterall, who better to know a Chevrolet than a Chevrolet mechanic. The Super Service program standardized routine maintenance intervals such as oil changes, chassis lubes, coolant services, and much more in the hopes of helping customers better maintain their cars, subsequently protecting their investments. In a broad sense, it was a pioneering program which every other manufacturer followed with their own programs. See the sign here.
You can register to bid here and begin bidding online here Learn more about the sale at Morphy Auctions.
