DENVER, Pa. – If condition is king, then expect a red carpet to be rolled out on April 3 as Morphy’s presents a regal auction of gorgeous signs, gas globes and early pumps in a 746-lot Automobilia & Petroliana Auction. The high-octane selection includes many entries from collections that were established back when petroleum-related items in pristine condition were much easier to find. “There are many signs in this sale that would be hard to improve upon. They would be considered upgrades for even the finest of known private collections,” said John Mihovetz, head of Morphy’s Automobilia & Petroliana division. A case in point is the outstanding double-sided Shell Motor Oil die-cut Motor Oil sign dated 1931. With strong crimson and orange coloration and only minor edge wear, the 23 by 23½-inch clamshell-shape sign is rated a solid 9.5 out of 10. Hailing from Great Britain, a very rare double-sided die-cut porcelain sign for Morris Trucks is designed as a head-on view of a radiator emblazoned with the slogan “Buy British and be proud of it.” Displaying excellent color and gloss, it is one of the best examples of its type that Morphy’s team of experts has ever seen. Big, bold and all-American would be the way to describe one of the auction’s top highlights: a sensational Ford V8 porcelain dealership sign. It’s so large at 75½ inches by 40½ inches that it had to be designed as two parts that fit together perfectly and seamlessly – Henry Ford wouldn’t have had it any other way. The result is an iconic piece of advertising. Advertising signs featuring stylish ladies have always commanded a premium price, and there are two such signs worthy of special mention in the April 3 sale. The first is a highly sought-after Boyce Moto Meter Authorized Service Station tin flange sign. It carries the image of a young woman in Art Deco attire, pointing gracefully at one of the company’s meters. The second, a double-sided die-cut tin flange sign advertising Pennsylvania Oilproof Vacuum Cup Tires, harkens to around 1907 and bears the image of a well-dressed woman of that period. “Very few examples of this sign are known to exist,” said Mihovetz. “They hardly ever come up for sale.” There are also 85 stunning gas globes from which to choose, each a work of art on glass. Now a quaint reminder of the early days of “filling stations,” an all-original Correct Measure 5-gallon visible gas pump has never been cleaned or opened. Remarkably, all of its mechanisms are in working order, and the cylinder is in nice condition with original Tydol coloration and a desirable patina that can only be achieved naturally over time. Contact: (877) 968-8880 www.morphyauctions.com |