By Kathleen L. Floyd FINDLAY, Ohio – Bidders quickly forgot about the dreary day outside, when they entered the gallery at Old Barn Auction, for the sale of more than 400 lots of bright and colorful vintage advertising and petroleum items. Vicky Sorgenfrei, Old Barn owner and manager, said the sale was comprised of several fine consignments, but the majority of it came from the collection of John Unger from Bluffton, Ohio. Unger explained that for 15 years, he collected advertising in the form of signs, clocks, lights, thermometers, calendars and other items. He bought anything that caught his eye, from Chevrolet to Buster Brown Shoes. To display his collection, he built storefronts in his basement, including an antique store, repair shop, cigar store and others. Each time he added something to his collection, he placed it on the wall of the appropriate shop. Gradually, he transformed his large basement into a village of storefronts, advertising the brands and products of the past. Recently, after he and his wife decided to downsize, Unger dismantled his basement displays. On Oct. 27, he parted with his entire collection at Old Barn. As he looked over his vast array of advertising items, sprawled across the auction facility that day, he admitted he would miss his collections. Then he quickly added with a smile, “Now I have to find something small to collect.” With auctioneers, Gregg Fox and Myles Holliday, hard at work, they rapidly dispersed it all. The focal point of Unger’s collection was a neon clock which had been in his family since he was a boy. He recalled the day in the early 1950s, when his father proudly hung the large, lighted clock on the wall of his shop, to spotlight the name of his business: Unger Brake & Electric. Made by Electric Neon Clock Co. in Cleveland, it remained on the wall for decades until the garage finally closed. After that, John Unger took it home, where it inspired him to start his collection. When the auction staff plugged in the 36-inch by 31-inch clock, and held it up for bid, its neon lights awed the crowd. The name, Unger Brake & Electric, glowed in large lighted letters around the top of the clock. A spinner in the center of the dial, created black and green, radiating designs which changed hypnotically as it spun like a pinwheel. With bidders competing, on the phone, online and in person, the clock struck $2,300. In contrast to the flashy clock, a rusty and weathered tractor sign, from another consignor, also had a powerful performance at the sale. The sign touted the Ford Tractor, Ferguson System, which was a significant innovation in agriculture. It resulted when Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson decided to produce Ford tractors with Ferguson’s new hydraulic three-point hitch system. Their partnership didn’t last long, but the successful hitch system is still in use today. The large, green and white, dealer sign hit $2,500. The highlight of the many petroleum items, was a Sohio lubrication sign which had seven, specialized grease guns, labeled and attached to it. Its purpose was to show drivers the importance of having their cars lubricated, “Point by Point.” With only one small item missing from the 51-inch by 30-inch display, it reached $1,500. Another petroleum sign had a crown logo which signified Standard Oil Company’s Red Crown Gas. The 30-inch by 12-inch metal sign was discolored and the corners were worn, but it still reached $500. Also showing some wear, was a sign representing, That Good Oil, by Moore Oil Company of Cincinnati. The 40 1/2-inch by 14-inch sign hit $375. Some petroleum items may have benefited from a local connection, because Findlay is home to the headquarters of Marathon Petroleum Corporation, formerly Ohio Oil Company. Illustrating that history, was a sign with both the Ohio Oil Company and Marathon names, along with Marathon’s Greek runner trademark and the slogan, “Best in the long run.” With minor chips and pitting, the 32-inch by 23-inch, red metal sign brought $350. For many years, beginning in the 1920s, Ohio Oil Company sold products under the Linco name, giving it local ties. A framed, 1936, Linco wall calendar, cruised to an impressive $350. Many other categories of advertising energized bidders. No one could miss the 17-inch by 59-inch vertical sign for USL Battery Service. The porcelain, self-framed sign had bold red letters on a dark blue background. With only minor chips, it brought $1,250. Collectors drove up the price of a lighted Chevrolet wall clock. Decked out with the familiar bow tie emblem, the “Chevrolet Time” motto, and the name of the dealership, the round, 20 1/2-inch clock sped to $1,400. A red, white and blue sign, publicizing Corduroy Tires, outsold the other tire items. Despite minor dents and rust, the 60-inch by 15-inch sign, rolled to $750. There were many examples of tobacco advertising. A sketch of a well-dressed gentleman, smoking a Peter Schuyler Cigar, added a touch of class to the company’s porcelain cigar sign, which sold for $350. Calling attention to Amerada’s five-cent cigars, was a colorful, but rusty, 35 1/4-inch by 13 1/2-inch sign which reached $250. Large outdoor advertising thermometers were used to sell a variety of products. An unusual porcelain thermometer, promoting Carter White Lead Paint, climbed to $225; a Sylvania Radio Service thermometer, depicting an early radio tube, brought $230; and a Pepsi thermometer, which promised, “more bounce to the ounce,” hit $280. Bringing back many childhood memories, was a Buster Brown Shoes sign. On a dark blue background with red trim, its neat white lettering boasted of Five Star Quality shoes for boys and girls. Measuring 37 1/2 inches long, the metal sign had some paint loss, but easily walked to a $400 finish. For information contact: (419) 422-8531 or www.oldbarn.com. |