Also included: Super 1906 Indian Camelback motorized bicycle, circa-1930s Sinclair Aircraft (Gasoline) double-sided porcelain sign, stunning and well-documented ’64 Chevy Impala hardtop
DENVER, Pa. – A 1906 Indian Camelback motorized bicycle built by The Hendee Manufacturing Company (later The Indian Motorcycle Company, with no “R” in motocycle), a circa 1930s Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain sign with iconic airplane graphics, and a 1932 Cadillac 355-B seven-passenger Imperial limousine registered to notorious gangster Al Capone share top billing in Morphy’s October 4 Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising auction.
The auction is packed with more than 650 lots of motoring-related signage, service station items and vehicles certain to please collectors at every price point. The event will be held live at Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery, with all forms of remote bidding available, including live via the internet through Morphy Live. All items are available to preview at the gallery by appointment only from 9-4 ET.
Motorcycles like the 1906 Indian Camelback do not come around very often, and the one in Morphy’s auction is a true survivor in barn-fresh condition. The classic two-wheel bike retains its factory paint job in Springfield Blue, while the 311 cubic inch, 2.25-hp air-cooled single-cylinder motor with a production number of 2877 is untouched, with all major components intact. The motor turns over with good compression, the wheels spin freely, and the brakes work. Estimate: $80,000-$120,000
The round, circa-1930s Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain sign, 47¾ inches in diameter, is a clean and glossy example of an iconic piece of advertising. It features the iconic airplane graphic on each side against a red background, and has only minimal chips and scratches. Graded in 9.0+ condition, the sign displays a rich gloss, with great shelving between the colors, and is one of the finest examples Morphy has ever offered. Estimate: $60,000-$90,000
The impressive 1932 Cadillac 355-B seven-passenger Imperial limousine with body by Fisher is finished in cream with burgundy fenders and accents. An extensive binder documents nearly $95,000 in mechanical restoration, refurbishment and detailing performed by Classic & Exotic Service in 2011 and 2012. It will also convey to its new owner with paperwork documenting its unique provenance. A notarized New York Certificate of Sale identifies notorious Prohibition-era gangster Alphonse “Al” Capone as its original purchaser/owner. Rochelle Cadillac Co of New Rochelle, New York, is shown as the seller. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000
An extremely well-documented 1964 Chevrolet Impala finished in silver blue metallic over a coordinated blue bucket-seat interior has a VIN # of 41447S178226, identifying it as a genuine St Louis-built V-8 Super Sport hardtop. Power is supplied by Chevy’s top-rated dual-quad 409-cubic-inch engine, producing 425 horsepower thru 11.0:1 compression. The odometer currently displays 52,659 miles. It starts with ease and the drive is very smooth. Estimate: $50,000-80,000
An absolutely incredible example of a single-sided porcelain neon sign for Chevrolet Super Service, in original condition free of any touch-up or repair of any kind, measures 48½ inches by 41½ inches by 8¾ inches and is graded 9.5+ for condition. The sign illuminates in original neon green and blue and has all of its original glass and hardware. Also, it is mounted on a newly- made custom metal can in flawless condition, ready for display. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
A Gilbarco gas pump originally found in Northern California is one of very few known examples with a porcelain Mohawk Indian computing face. Its condition is described as being like NOS (new/old stock). Its color and gloss are perfect, with no notable wear to the Indian graphic on the body. It also lights up nicely. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
A hard-to-find Aerio 70 Gasoline single globe lens on a milk glass body (Gregory Independent Oil Company, Gregory, South Dakota), 13½ inches in diameter and graded 9.5+, is in brilliant NOS condition, showing excellent color and gloss with no notable field wear. The original body is also in excellent condition, showing no notable damage with a chip-free base. Highly desirable and in outstanding condition, its auction estimate is $10,000-$18,000.
Another globe lens with special appeal to collectors is the circa-1930s single 15-inch lens from Mohawk Gasoline (Mohawk Petroleum Corp, San Francisco, California). The globe lens shows brilliant color and gloss throughout and has an excellent Native American graphic at the center. Minimal areas of light surface scratching are its only blemishes. This is the rare “red” variation and is graded 9.0+ excellent. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
A scarce one-quart can of Husky Heavy Duty Motor Oil (Husky Oil Company, Cody, Wyoming) is 5½ inches tall and graded 8.9+. The can shows outstanding color and gloss throughout each side, with multiple graphics in excellent condition. The lettering on each side is also in excellent condition. Minor paint rubs at the rims do not extend into the lettering or graphic. Collectors would be hard-pressed to find another example in such a high grade. Estimate: $8,000-$14,000
A circa-1930s double-sided porcelain sign for Ford (“The Universal Car”), 30 inches by 12 inches, shows exceptional color and gloss throughout the fields of each side, with side one showing just a few small field nicks as well as some areas of chipping along the outer edges. Side two also shows superior color and gloss, with only minor chipping. This is an incredibly attractive sign, with sides graded 8.9+ and 8.5+, respectively. Estimate: $7,500-$15,000
An extremely rare circa-1910s Zerolene Motor Oils (“Modern Crankcase Cleaning Service”) double-sided porcelain flange sign from Standard Oil Company of California exhibits bright color and gloss on each side, with mint-condition graphics for both Zerolene and Calol, each showing a different bear graphic. This type of early Standard advertising sign is seldom offered for sale in the public marketplace. Measuring 23¾ inches by 17½ inches, the auction example is graded 8.25+. Estimate: $7,500-$15,000
An excellent example of an iconic piece of advertising from Hood’s Ice Cream shows cow graphics on each side of a circa-1930s double-sided tin flange sign. All-original, both of its sides display excellent color and gloss, with minor areas of light surface scratches and minor surface wear. The outer edges of each side are in excellent condition. It measures 21¾ inches by 19 inches and is graded 8.75+. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
The October 4 Automobilia & Petroliana auction will be held live at Morphy’s gallery, 2000 North 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 Advertising auction at Morphy’s, call 877-968-8880, or email them at info@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.
CAPTIONS:
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions
1009 –
Single-sided porcelain neon sign for Chevrolet Super Service, in original condition free of any touch-up or repair of any kind, 48½ inches by 41½ inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
1037 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/HOOD_S_ICE_CREAM_TIN_FLANGE_SIGN_W__COW_GRAPHIC__-LOT673979.aspx
Excellent example of an iconic piece of advertising from Hood’s Ice Cream, circa-1930s double-sided tin flange sign with cow graphics on each side. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
1147 –
Gilbarco gas pump featuring an exceedingly rare Mohawk Gasoline porcelain computing face at the center and Mohawk Indian graphic on the body, graded 9.0+. Estimate: $15,000-$30,000
1165 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/RARE_FORD_THE_UNIVERSAL_CAR_PORCELAIN_SIGN-LOT676053.aspx
Circa-1930s double-sided porcelain sign for Ford (“The Universal Car”), 30 inches by 12 inches, with exceptional color and gloss throughout the fields of each side. Estimate: $7,500-$15,000
1166 –
Round, circa-1930s Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain sign, 47¾ inches in diameter, a clean and glossy example of an iconic piece of advertising from Sinclair. Estimate: $60,000-$90,000
1202 –
1906 Indian Camelback early American motorized bicycle built by The Hendee Mfg Company (later The Indian Motocycle Company, with no ‘R’ in motocycle). Estimate: $80,000-$120,000
1205 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/1932_CADILLAC_355_B_IMPERIAL_LIMOUSINE_-LOT673927.aspx
1932 Cadillac 355-B seven-passenger Imperial limousine accompanied by a New York Certificate of Sale naming notorious gangster Alphonse Capone as the original purchaser and Rochelle Cadillac of New Rochelle, New York as the seller. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000
1207 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/1964_CHEVROLET_IMPALA_SS_409_SPORT_COUPE_HARDTOP_-LOT673929.aspx
Fastidiously documented 1964 Chevrolet Impala hardtop finished in silver blue metallic over a blue bucket-seat interior, powered by Chevy’s legendary dual-quad 409-cubic-inch engine. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000
1238 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/RARE_HUSKY_HEAVY_DUTY_MOTOR_OIL_QUART_CAN-LOT675677.aspx
Scarce one-quart can of Husky Heavy Duty Motor Oil (Husky Oil Company, Cody, Wyoming), 5½ inches tall and graded 8.9+, with outstanding color and gloss. Estimate: $8,000-$14,000
1291 –
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/OUTSTANDING_MOHAWK_GASOLINE_SINGLE_15__GLOBE_LENS-LOT676105.aspx
Circa-1930s single 15-inch globe lens from Mohawk Gasoline (Mohawk Petroleum Corp, San Francisco, California), showing brilliant color and gloss throughout. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
1292 –
Rare Aerio 70 Gasoline single globe lens on a milk glass body (Gregory Independent Oil Co, Gregory, South Dakota), 13½ inches in diameter, graded 9.5+. Estimate: $10,000-$18,000
1328 –
Scarce circa-1910s Zerolene Motor Oils (“Modern Crankcase Cleaning Service”) double-sided porcelain flange sign, from Standard Oil Company of California. Estimate: $7,500-$15,000
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