Auction Details

Automobilia & Petroliana

Morphy’s Oct. 4-5 auction of prized automobilia and petroliana raced to a $1.7M finish

Early Sinclair signs, with sensational graphics of a primitive single-engine airplane and ‘Dino’ the dinosaur mascot, flew to the top of prices realized

DENVER, Pa. – If any one word could summarize the selection in Morphy’s October 4-5 Automobilia and Petroliana Auction, it would be “condition.” A dazzling array of advertising signs, gas pumps and globes; product cans and other antique and vintage motoring-related items presented bidders with a wealth of fresh rarities from which to choose in a sale that closed confidently at $1.7 million.

Nearly 1,100 lots were entered, many emblazoned with mascots and graphics regarded as classics by those who collect gas and oil advertising. Two of the most sought-after auction stars were produced for the Sinclair Oil Corporation, a firm that launched its business in 1916 from the combined assets of several small petroleum companies.

At the top of prices realized was a circa-1930s Sinclair Aircraft Gasoline double-sided porcelain service station sign with an early single-engine-airplane graphic. Petroliana collectors seeking a high-grade example of this particular type of sign are well aware that they are likely to face additional competition from those who pursue aviation memorabilia, especially if the condition is graded at the upper end of the 1-to-10 scale. Both sides of the 48-inch (diameter) sign displayed very good color and gloss, as well as extremely clean script. Assessed at 8.5 condition with isolated minor chipping being the only exception to its spruce appearance, it landed within its estimate range, at $49,200.

The second Sinclair highlight was a vividly-hued, double-sided porcelain sign advertising the company’s Pennsylvania Motor Oil. It bore a striking graphic of their beloved dinosaur mascot “Dino” striding above the phrase MELLOWED 100 MILLION YEARS. A great-looking example with only minor chipping to side one and a few barely noticeable surface scratches to side two, the 23¾-inch (diameter) sign was graded a strong 9 and sold for $35,670 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

A complete and exceptionally nice porcelain neon sign advertising “GM General Motors Parts” was still housed inside its original shipping crate with an Amarillo, Texas destination indicated on the container’s exterior. The unit consisted of two single-sided porcelain signs mounted back-to-back on their original metal can, with dimensions measuring 56 inches by 71 inches. A fantastic survivor in 9.0 condition, it settled within its $20,000-$40,000 estimate range at $27,060.

An attractive double-sided Kanotex Ethyl Gasoline (New York) circular porcelain sign with eye-catching red, yellow and black graphics and a red border was gloss and bright. Its sides were graded 8.25 and 8.0, respectively. Against an estimate of $2,000-$8,000, the sign went the extra mile, reaching $10,455.

Produced around the 1930s, a great-looking 55-inch-tall single-sided porcelain “lollipop” sign advertised “Kendall The 2000 Mile Oil” and had a tin topper that said “Kendall Superb Motor Oil.” It retained its original ring and pole and stood atop a replacement base in VG condition. Its sides were graded 8.75 and 8.0, respectively. With provenance from the Andre Harvey collection, it sold for well over three times its high estimate, closing at $11,070.

There was notable pre-sale interest in a circa-1940s single-globe gas pump lens for Little Bear Gasoline produced by Little Bear Oil Co., of Neodasha, Kansas. AGS-graded 94 and most likely new/old stock, its main attraction was the visually-appealing graphic of a bear cub encircled by a red ring with the name LITTLE BEAR GASOLINE in contrasting white letters. It roared at $13,530 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

A rare and stunning 15-inch single-globe lens boldly advertised the message “Tiger Gasoline” with an artful tiger graphic and unique script style. Very little is known about the issuing company or the auction item’s background prior to its discovery in New York. In grade-94 condition with bright color and gloss to both its inner and outer fields, the lens surpassed its high estimate, chalking up $12,300.

Manufactured around the 1920s, a Wayne Model #452 double gas pump retained both of its original cylinders and all of its internal parts. It had been partially restored and presented nicely enough to please any collector with its handsome red and black livery but was described in Morphy’s catalog as an “ideal candidate” for a full restoration. It impressed enough bidders to reach $10,455 against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$8,000.

In addition to automotive and petroleum-related advertising, the auction included an excellent selection of signage for many other types of products. A circa-1930s double-sided Blatz Milwaukee Beer porcelain neon sign, complete on its original metal can, featured a deep navy-blue field with white lettering and red neon. Working, and in overall excellent condition with sides graded 9.0 and 8.5+, respectively, it rose to $11,685 against a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.

Colorful and large, a circa-1950s single-sided tin sign displayed the message Switch to Squirt / never an after-thirst and a bright graphic of the endearing blond-haired Squirt mascot alongside a tall bottle of the citrus-flavored soda pop. Graded a strong condition 8.75, it bubbled up to $13,530 against a $5,000-$10,000 estimate.

An homage to blue-collar laborers, a circa-1920s single-sided porcelain sign touted Carhartt’s union-made pants and overalls with the slogan Honorably Made For Honorable Men and a notation that their factories were located in New York City and Detroit. At 120 inches by 30 inches, it was the largest example of this particular type of Carhartt’s sign Morphy had ever handled. In condition 7.0, it achieved a within-estimate price of $6,765.

Leading the auction’s comprehensive offering of 55 petroleum product cans, a circa-1940s

1-quart can that once held Tiopet 100% Pure Pennsylvania Motor Oil displayed VG color and gloss and a terrific image of a Native American chief in a full feather bonnet. In 8.0 condition and with provenance from the Andre Harvey collection, it commanded $4,920 against an estimate of $500-$1,000.

To discuss consigning a collection or individual item to a future Automobilia & Petroliana Auction at Morphy’s, please call Dan Morphy personally at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All discussions are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.

CAPTIONS:

All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions

1136 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/SINCLAIR_AIRCRAFT_GASOLINE_PORCELAIN_SERVICE_STATI-LOT646867.aspx

Sinclair Aircraft Gasoline double-sided porcelain service station sign with airplane graphic. Circa 1930s. Both sides display very good color and gloss, and very clean script. Size: 48in diameter. Condition: 8.5. Sold within estimate for $49,200

1137 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/SINCLAIR_PENNSYLVANIA_MOTOR_OIL_PORCELAIN_SIGN_W__-LOT646670.aspx

Bright and brilliantly-hued example of Sinclair Pennsylvania Motor Oil double-sided porcelain sign with striking dinosaur mascot graphic and the phrase ‘MELLOWED 100 MILLION YEARS.’ Size: 23¾in diameter. Condition: 9.0. Sold for $35,670 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000

1198 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/BLATZ_MILWAUKEE_BEER_COMPLETE_PORCELAIN_NEON_SIGN_-LOT647546.aspx

Double-sided Blatz Milwaukee Beer porcelain neon sign, complete on original metal can. Circa 1930s. Glossy with deep navy-blue field with white lettering. Neon illuminates in red. Overall excellent condition with sides grades 9.0 and 8.5+, respectively. Crated size: 48in x 22in x 40¼in. Sold for $11,685 against a $4,000-$8,000 estimate

1221 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/WAYNE_MODEL__452_DOUBLE_GAS_PUMP_-LOT648076.aspx

Circa-1920s Wayne Model #452 double gas pump. Both original cylinders intact. Older restoration in red and black. Pump missing large moving cylinder at the center, but all internals appeared to be intact. Height: 108in. Suggested as an ideal candidate for full restoration, it sold for $10,455 against an estimate of $4,000-$8,000.

1239 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/KANOTEX_ETHYL_GASOLINE_PORCELAIN_SIGN_-LOT646857.aspx

Attractive double-sided Kanotex Ethyl Gasoline (New York) circular double-sided porcelain sign with excellent color and gloss throughout both sides. Red, yellow and black graphics, and red border. Sides graded 8.25 and 8.0, respectively. Sold for $10,455 against an estimate of $2,000-$8,000

1328 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/RARE___OUTSTANDING_TIGER_GASOLINE_15__SINGLE_GLOBE-LOT638405.aspx

Rare and great-looking 15in single-globe lens advertising Tiger Gasoline with artful tiger graphic and unique script style. Originally discovered in New York. Outstanding condition (Grade 94) with bright color and gloss to both inner and outer fields. Set with snap ring onto a metal high profile body that was professionally painted in red. Sold above high estimate, for $12,300

1442 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/CARHARTT_S_UNION_MADE_PANTS___OVERALLS_PORCELAIN_S-LOT646931.aspx

Circa-1920s single-sided porcelain sign advertising Carhartt’s union-made pants and overalls, with the slogan ‘Honorably Made For Honorable Men’ and the notation that their factories were located in NYC and Detroit. At 120in x 30in, it was the largest example of this particular type of Carhartt’s sign Morphy had ever handled. Condition 7.0. Sold within estimate, for $6,765

2040 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/KENDALL_THE_2000_MILE_OIL_PORCELAIN_LOLLIPOP_SIGN_-LOT647782.aspx

Circa-1930s ‘Kendall The 2000 Mile Oil’ porcelain ‘lollipop’ sign, single-sided porcelain with a tin topper advertising ‘Kendall Superb Motor Oil.’ Bright and glossy. Mounted in original ring and pole atop a replacement base in VG condition. Height: 55in. Sides graded 8.75 and 8.0, respectively. Provenance: Collection of Andre Harvey. Sold for $11,070 against an estimate of $1,500-$3,000

2042 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/IMPRESSIVE_SQUIRT_SODA_POP_TIN_BILLBOARD_SIGN_W__O-LOT644830.aspx

Outstanding circa-1950s single-sided tin sign with the message: ‘Switch to Squirt / never an after-thirst.’ Excellent graphic of Squirt mascot with oversize pop bottle. Original wood backing. Size: 84in x 96in. Condition 8.75. Sold for $13,530 against a $5,000-$10,000 estimate

2054 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/TIOPET_MOTOR_OIL_1_QUART_CAN_W__NATIVE_AMERICAN_GR-LOT647863.aspx

Leading the auction’s 55 product cans, a circa-1940s 1-quart can that once held Tiopet 100% Pure Pennsylvania Motor Oil displayed VG color and gloss, and a beautiful image of a Native American chief in a full feather bonnet. Condition 8.0. Provenance: Collection of Andre Harvey. Sold for $4,920 against an estimate of $500-$1,000

2117 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/LITTLE_BEAR_GASOLINE_SINGLE_13_25__GLOBE_LENS_AGS_-LOT635207.aspx

Circa-1940s single-globe gas pump lens for Little Bear Gasoline produced by Little Bear Oil Co., Neodasha, Kansas. Appealing bear cub graphic. Diameter: 13.5in. AGS-graded 94 and most likely new/old stock. Sold for $13,530 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000

2147 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/OUTSTANDING_GENERAL_MOTORS_PARTS_COMPLETE_PORCELAI-LOT647505.aspx

Outstanding and complete porcelain neon sign advertising ‘GM General Motors Parts’ still in its original shipping crate with an Amarillo, Texas destination indicated on the container’s exterior. Consists of two single-sided porcelain signs mounted back-to-back on their original metal can. Size: 56in x 71in. Fantastic survivor in 9.0 condition. Sold within its $20,000-$40,000 estimate range, for $27,060