Automobilia & Petroliana
Road trip ahead as collectors make plans to attend Morphy’s diverse July 16-17 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction
1,200+ lots include 650 gas and oil signs, including Musgo and Grizzly; 74 gas pumps, 87 gas globes, 64 product cans, plus railroadiana, motorcycles, license plates & general advertising
DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions is revved up and ready for some high-octane competition at their July 16-17 auction, which is packed with 1,226 lots of fine automobilia and petroliana. Bidders can take their pick from 650 outstanding advertising signs, 74 gas pumps, 87 gas globes, 64 product cans, and hundreds of other vintage motoring-related items. Let’s pop the hood and see what’s waiting for collectors at Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery.
Topping the auction highlights is a sign that literally every motorhead dreams of adding to their collection: a round Musgo Gasoline “Michigan’s Mile Maker” double-sided porcelain sign with the image of a Native American chief. Exceptionally rare and sought-after, this sign was issued circa 1920s by the Muskegon Oil Co., of Muskegon, Michigan. As most petroliana collectors would know, Musgo signs of this type started turning up several years ago after being discovered in use as lids on septic tanks. Most were seriously degraded from the effects of snow and damp earth, so it’s always exciting when a nice example comes up for sale. The sign offered by Morphy’s displays exceptional color and gloss with a clean central graphic on side one. Side two exhibits good color and gloss in the outer fields, and some septic-tank damage to the central graphic. Measuring 48 inches in diameter with sides graded 7.75/Damaged, it is estimated at $50,000-$80,000.
Another collector favorite that’s expected to fly is a circa-1940s single-sided porcelain sign advertising Grizzly Gasoline. It has an excellent graphic of the company’s hulking brown bear mascot and the tagline “Dubbs Cracked.” Clean and glossy, its only faults are minor chips along the outer edges and minor chipping below and to the right of the mounting hole. All four original grommets are intact. Measuring 12 inches in diameter and graded a condition 8.5+, this anticipated crowd-pleaser could realize $10,000-$20,000.
Another stellar entry is a circa-1940s Gas Co-Op porcelain sign with a buffalo-skull graphic. Side one boasts bright color with only one chip in the left field, while side two shows good color and gloss, with one touched-up chip in the right field, some areas of minor staining on the white field, and some chipping along outer edges. Clear-coated, the sign displays very nicely overall. Its dimensions are 48 inches by 30 inches, and the pre-sale estimate is $10,000-$20,000.
The wow factor is over the top in a circa-1950s OK Used Cars Authorized Dealer porcelain neon sign, complete with bullnose attachments and maker-marked “Federal Signs.” Side one is consistently colorful and glossy, with only light scratching and wear, and one area of touchup to the lower field. Side two is equally beautiful, with two small touchups. Mounted on its original can, which has been repainted, this advertising showstopper is accompanied by two Chevrolet porcelain bowtie attachment signs. The measurements are: 58 inches by 16 inches by 39 inches, and the sides are graded 8.5 and 8.0, respectively. This dazzling sign is expected to light up the gallery when it crosses the auction block with a $10,000-$20,000 estimate.
A fantastic array of more than seven dozen gas pump globes includes many collector favorites. One of the most elusive globes – and also one of the most attractive – is a Tropical Gas “It’s Speed It’s Power” single 15-inch lens with a double-palm-tree and sunburst graphic. Morphy Auctions’ founder and president, Dan Morphy, explained that the globe is one of only two known examples of its type known to exist. “Originally, this globe was found in Florida, complete, but it was subsequently split into two singles. As for Tropical Gas, it’s background is something of a mystery,” Morphy said. “Nothing is really known about the company except that it was an independent brand located in Florida.” Graded in 8.75+ condition and set on its original low-profile metal body, this rare globe lens is likely to achieve a winning bid in the $15,000-$30,000 range.
Leading the impressive lineup of gas pumps is a circa-1930s Tokheim Model #850 clock-face pump restored in Harbor Gasolene livery. It shows off rich colors with nice pinstriping, as well as Harbor decals and a reproduction Harbor globe. Its sight glass is intact, and it has a white cloth hose with a polished brass nozzle. Standing 90 inches tall and in immaculate restored condition, the pump comes to auction with a $5,000-$15,000 estimate.
A classically artful addition to the auction is an original “Pneu Michelin” (Michelin Tires) framed poster with a graphic that combines a winged tire and a graceful seminude nymph draped in billowing gauze. Created around the 1920s in a transitional style suggesting influences that cross from Art Nouveau into the early Art Deco period, this 46½-inch by 62-inch poster is estimated at $4,500-$9,000.
The auction also includes license plates, three motorcycles, wonderfully decorative motor oil and other product cans; railroad items, and general advertising. A circa-1920s curved, single-sided porcelain sign replicating a can of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup is in excellent condition, with only one touched-up chip at lower-right mounting hole. Some faint wear is seen along the outer edge, but it is in excellent condition overall. Its dimensions are 22½ inches by 12½ inches by 3 inches, and its condition is assessed at a strong 8.75+. Estimate: $7,000-$14,000
Morphy’s Wednesday/Thursday July 16-17, 2025 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction will be held live at the company’s flagship gallery, 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517, starting at 9am Eastern Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone and live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For questions pertaining to any item in the auction, to reserve a phone line, or to discuss consigning to a future Automobilia & Petroliana auction at Morphy’s, call 877-968-8880, email info@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.
CAPTIONS:
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions
1056 –
Original Michelin Tires framed poster with outstanding graphic of seminude nymph and winged tire. Circa 1920s. Size: 46½in x 62in. Estimate: $4,500-$9,000
1111 –
Circa-1950s Pontiac Automobiles porcelain neon sign with original bullnose attachment. Composition consists of two single-sided signs mounted back-to-back on their original can. Outstanding color and gloss through field of one side, with only minimal light age wear and surface scratching to field. Size: 144in x 46in x 12in. Condition: 8.75+. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
1228 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/GAS_CO_OP_PORCELAIN_SIGN_W__BUFFALO_SKULL_GRAPHIC-LOT641779.aspx
Circa-1940s Gas Co-Op porcelain sign with buffalo skull graphic. Side one shows bright color with only one chip in left field; side two shows good color and gloss, with one touched-up chip in right field and some areas of staining on white, plus chipping along outer edges. Clear-coated. Displays very nicely overall. Size: 48in x 30in. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
1232 –
Circa-1950s OK Used Cars Authorized Dealer complete porcelain neon sign with bullnose attachments. Maker marked ‘Federal Signs.’ Side one shows excellent color and gloss throughout, with minimal light scratching and wear, and one area of touchup to lower field. Side two is equally colorful and glossy, with two touchups. Touchup to left bullnose; right bullnose outstanding throughout. Mounted on original can, which has been repainted. Accompanied by two Chevrolet porcelain bowtie attachment signs. Size: 58in x 16in x 39in. Condition: 8.5, 8.0. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
1233 –
Exceptionally rare and sought-after Musgo Gasoline ‘Michigan’s Mile Maker’ double-sided porcelain sign with Native American graphic. Issued circa 1920s by Muskegon Oil Co., Muskegon, Michigan. Side one: exceptional color and gloss with clean central graphic, minor touchup. Side two: Good color and gloss in outer fields, but heavier septic tank damage to center field and graphic (Note: Many years ago, Musgo signs of this type were discovered in use as septic tank lids). Diameter: 48in. Condition: 7.75/Damaged. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000
1317 –
Rare Tropical Gas ‘It’s Speed It’s Power’ single 15in globe lens with attractive double-palm-tree and sunburst graphic, on original low-profile metal body. One of only two known examples of its type. Originally found in Florida complete, but subsequently split into halves. Represents unknown independent brand with no known history other than its origin being in Florida. Condition: 8.75+. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
1351 –
Circa-1920s curved, single-sided porcelain sign replicating a can of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup. Excellent color and gloss throughout. Only one touched-up chip at lower-right mounting hole. Faint wear along outer edge but excellent condition overall. Size: 22½in x 12½in x 3in. Condition: 8.75+. Estimate: $7,000-$14,000
1564 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/catalog.aspx?auctionid=676
Circa-1950s double-sided porcelain sign advertising Marathon Gasoline ‘Best In The Long Run’ with dramatic image of marathon runner with arm in air as though indicating victory. Excellent color and gloss with only minor areas of light surface scratching and minimal areas of light chipping. Retains original upper and lower mounting brackets. Bright, attractive example. Estimate: $8,000-$18,000
2084 –
Circa-1930s Tokheim Model #850 clock-face gas pump restored in Harbor Gasolene livery, including rich colors, decals and reproduction Harbor globe. Very nice pinstriped detail. Intact sight glass. White cloth hose with polished brass nozzle. Height: 90in. Immaculate restored condition. Estimate: $5,000-$15,000
2091 –
A collector favorite, this circa-1940s single-sided porcelain sign advertising Grizzly Gasoline displays the company’s hulking brown bear mascot and the phrase ‘Dubbs Cracked.’ Excellent graphic, color and gloss throughout with clean lettering. Minor chipping below and to right of mounting hole, and minor chips along outer edges. All four original grommets intact. Diameter: 12in. Condition: 8.5+. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
Auction Details
If interested in consigning, please visit our consignment page.
2000 North Reading Road
Denver, PA 17517
Phone: 877-968-8880 | Fax: 717-336-7115
Email: info@morphyauctions.com.
Morphy Auctions is one of the largest under-roof auction houses in the country, spanning over 45,000 sq. ft. The beautiful building is customized to meet the growing and changing needs of the antiques industry.