Morphy Auctions
2000 North Reading Road, Denver, Pennsylvania 17517
877-968-8880
About Auction House
Morphy Auctions in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Las Vegas, NV has become one of the great success stories of the antiques auctions trade. Founded by Dan Morphy in 1997. Morphy’s has realized meteoric growth and set numerous world antique auction records in many categories, while attracting a global following of buyers that grows exponentially with each successive sale.Auction Previews & News
16 Results
Auction Result, Press ReleaseMorphy’s chalks up $3.7M at Las Vegas auction of coin-ops and antique advertising featuring Rich and Sharon Penn collection
Dec. 5-7 event was led by circa-1905 Ray-O-Lite rifle game, $319,800; Anheuser-Busch Bevo boat auto, $172,200; 1927 Ahrens-Fox fire engine, $129,150; and drug store mortar & pestle sign, $51,550 Rare Automatic Target Machine Co. "Ray-o-lite" Rifle Arcade Game LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Part I of a fabulous personal collection of antique advertising and coin-operated machines amassed over several decades by Rich and Sharon Penn was the special highlight of Morphy December 5-7, 2024 auction in Las Vegas, which grossed $3.7 million. Acknowledged experts within the collecting world, the Penns founded Rich Penn Auctions, an Iowa business that forged a partnership with Morphy’s in May when Rich assumed a key role there as Market Development Officer. The Penns’ private collection was described by Morphy Auctions’ founder, president and principal auctioneer Dan Morphy as “unquestionably one of the finest of its type. Every item Rich and Sharon acquired was handpicked with an emphasis on high condition, rarity and eye appeal. Based on what we heard after the debut auction this month, there’s a lot of excitement and speculation about what might be offered in the next installment of antiques from their collection.” The December event included music, arcade and gambling machines, as well as rare antique and vintage signs promoting a wealth of products from the late-19th and early 20th centuries. Both floor and phone bidders were particularly active during the sale. The 3-day series was led by a prized holding from the Penn collection: a circa-1905 battery-operated Ray-O-Lite rifle game made by Automatic Target Machine Co. It was an early, especially-rare version powered by a dry-cell battery. Later revamps introduced by William Gent in the 1920s were AC-powered. The auction example had nine unique target features, was in all original condition and retained its additional cord extension. Against an estimate of $100,000-$200,000, it shot to a final price of $319,800. Two offbeat transportation lots rolled to six-figure prices at the sale. A 1930 Cadillac “Bevo Boat” manufactured for Anheuser-Busch for promotional purposes and named for its non-alcoholic beverage called “Bevo” is believed to be the only survivor of eight that were…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseMorphy’s unveils elegant holiday selection for Dec. 17-19 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction
Featured: 195 art-glass lamps, including very rare Tiffany ‘Venetian’ with Macklowe Gallery provenance; platinum & diamond jewelry, gold watches, art pottery & glass, Black Forest clock Rare Tiffany Studios Venetian Leaded Glass Table Lamp DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s most-loved sale from its always-busy calendar of events, the annual pre-Christmas Fine & Decorative Arts Auction, consistently delivers luxury, rarity and peerless quality to discerning collectors and holiday gift-givers. This year’s edition, which will be held on December 17-19, is brimming with superior jewels and watches, art pottery, silver, coins and dazzling Tiffany Studios lamps. “In our Fine & Decorative sales, we always make an extra effort to include lamps that are genuinely exceptional,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions. “In the December sale, there are more than 40 Tiffany productions, as well as designs by Handel, Duffner & Kimberley, Pairpoint, Wilkinson and many other sought-after brands.” No one has ever understood how to fuse color and light quite like Louis Comfort Tiffany, and today, more than 140 years after the introduction of his first Tiffany Studios lamp, collectors remain mesmerized by his designs. Unquestionably, one of the most desirable Tiffany masterworks is the “Venetian” lamp, an example of which will be auctioned on December 18. A rare and extraordinarily beautiful Venetian table lamp is diminutive (19 inches tall) by comparison to other Tiffany lighting, yet it was one of the New York firm’s most expensive lamps in the early 20th century. This was due to the time and painstaking effort it took to create the breathtaking Venetian pattern from a profusion of small, very delicate pieces of glass. Both the shade, which retains its attractive original gold “heat cap,” and its correct filigreed and jeweled “gold” base are signed. The lamp is in excellent condition, and its provenance includes a 2003 purchase from the famed Macklowe Gallery. Estimate: $60,000-$80,000 At Morphy’s pre-Christmas auction, good things have always come in small packages. This year’s ultimate stocking stuffer is a ladies’ platinum and diamond line necklace consisting of 66 natural, near-colorless emerald-cut diamonds with a total weight of 21.50cts. The…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseJoin Morphy’s in Vegas for Dec. 5-7 auction of coin-ops & antique advertising with highlights from Rich and Sharon Penn collection
Featured: 1905 Ray-O-Lite arcade rifle game, $100K-$200K; naïve circa-1910s John Deere Plows sign, $40K-$70K; Anheuser-Busch 1930 Cadillac ‘Bevo Boat’ and circa-1927 Ahrens-Fox fire engine, each $50K-$150K Very rare circa-1905 Ray-O-Lite rifle game made by Automatic Target Machine Co., possibly the only surviving example with its original target cabinet - $100,000-$200,000 LAS VEGAS – This holiday season, visitors to bustling Las Vegas will have their pick of world-class entertainment of all types. Hotels on the glittering “Strip” will be showcasing Shania Twain, Cirque du Soleil, David Copperfield, and classic rockers REO Speedwagon and the Eagles, to name but a few of the A-list headliners. But that’s not the only form of entertainment to enjoy in Vegas in the run-up to Christmas. From December 5-7, Morphy’s will be hosting a big Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction brimming with music, arcade and gambling machines, as well as fabulous antique and vintage signage promoting everything from barber shops to beverages and candy to coffee. The atmosphere at these special Las Vegas events is always light-hearted and welcoming, but those who cannot attend in person can still join the fun by bidding absentee, by phone or live online through Morphy’s bidding platform. All items offered in the Saturday session (Dec. 7) come directly from the prestigious Rich and Sharon Penn collection, including a very rare circa-1905 Ray-O-Lite rifle game made by Automatic Target Machine Co. It is especially desirable because it is dry-cell-battery-operated, as opposed to the later revamps introduced by William Gent in the 1920s, which were AC-powered. The auction example has nine unique target features, is all original and in VG working condition with an added cord extension. An extraordinary buying opportunity and fresh-to-the-market from a legendary collection, it is possibly the only surviving example with its original target cabinet. Its presale estimate is $100,000-$200,000. Another top prize from the Penns’ holdings is an original circa-1910 5¢ Mills Dewey upright slot machine with original music, presented in its original-finish quartered oak cabinet with the original back door. The front glass is an older replacement featuring lustrous lettering and a colorful tin-litho wheel. Fully functional, in VG…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseWayne Edens’ peerless collection of antique fishing lures will hook new owners at Morphy’s Dec. 9 auction
Antique lures of extraordinary rarity – many of them boxed – include one of eight frogs hand-carved in 1898 by James Heddon and displayed at Heddon factory in Dowagiac, Michigan One Of The 8 James Heddon Hand-carved Frogs DENVER, Pa. – Fishing lure enthusiasts from coast to coast will be angling for the catch of the day on Monday, December 9 at Morphy’s live gallery auction of the Wayne Edens collection. The incomparable assemblage of lures – said to be the largest, most comprehensive and historically-important collection of its type ever to come to the public marketplace – is brimming with ultra-rare gems, not the least of which is one of the eight celebrated Heddon “factory board” frogs hand-carved in 1898. The all-original Heddon frog lure (or “bait”) was personally crafted by James Heddon, founder of the Heddon Company. It was subsequently exhibited on a display board at the Heddon plant in Dowagiac, Michigan. In 1977, Clyde A Harbin Sr, an outdoorsman, author and fishing lure archivist known as “The Bassman™,” was invited by Heddon to visit the company’s factory and declutter the display board, removing any baits that were not Heddon productions. The eight frogs were present on the board both before and after the assortment was thinned out, and were photographed many times. Harbin would later write a book titled Heddon Historical Footprints in which he details where each of the eight frogs ended up. Today, it is believed that one of them is held in the Bass Pro Shops corporate collection, a few others are privately owned, and yet another may be in an aquarium’s collection in Oklahoma. The frog lure in Wayne Edens’ collection was acquired from Dudley Murphy (1940-2022), co-founder of the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club. Murphy had obtained the lure directly from the Heddon factory. In addition to its unbroken line of provenance, Edens’ frog lure has been definitively photo-matched to one of the original eight “board” examples. It will make its first-ever auction appearance on December 9 with a $30,000-$80,000 estimate. The revered Heddon brand is amply represented in the sale. A…
Auction Result, Press ReleaseClassics joined contemporary favorites in the top 10 at Morphy’s $1.1M+ Toys & Collectibles Auction
Nov. 6-7 sale highlights: Ty Cobb 1914 Cracker Jack baseball card, $34,440; Rooster sulfide marble, $22,140; Buddy ‘L’ Outdoor Railroad, $13,530; Set of 4 Popeye ‘hoppers,’ $11,685 Very Rare No. 30 Ty Cobb 1914 Cracker Jack Baseball Card DENVER, Pa. – Good things came in small packages at Morphy’s Nov. 6-7 Toys & General Collectibles Auction, which closed the books at more than $1.1 million. The Pennsylvania company’s last major toy auction of the year featured a diverse mix of popular collecting categories within its 1,600+ lots, and when all was said and done, it was an antique baseball card and the smallest of handmade artworks – marbles – that made the biggest impression. A mesmerizing 2-1/8-inch teal-blue sulfide marble with a nicely-detailed, well-centered rooster had a lot to crow about. It boasted 9.8 condition and earned high praise from Morphy Auctions’ president and longtime marble fancier Dan Morphy, who described it as “one of the best sulfides we have ever seen.” Against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000, it rolled confidently to a winning bid of $22,140. Another diminutive beauty, a painted china marble with pink pinwheels at each end, was adorned with images of a lady holding a rake, a house and trees against a desert scene. The artful 1-15/16-inch orb in 9.7 condition ultimately sold for $7,995. Another prized item requiring only minimal shelf space was a very rare No. 30 Ty Cobb 1914 Cracker Jack baseball card graded SGC2. Its striking image showed the legendary “Georgia Peach” against a scarlet background, suited up in his Detroit Americans uniform and holding a bat. The card attracted 24 bids before rounding the bases and landing at the top of prices realized for $34,440. A sought-after sports treasure, it far exceeded its $10,000-$20,000 estimate. Sports cards of a later era also found favor with bidders. A 1962 Topps Baseball 3rd-Series cello pack with a San Francisco Giants team card visible on top was graded PSA 7, Near Mint. It rose to the midpoint of its estimate, settling at $5,658. From a galaxy far, far away came an unopened 1977 Topps Star…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseExtraordinary antique breweriana collection of former Anheuser-Busch exec on tap at Morphy’s, Nov. 13-15
Jim and MaryBeth Fischer collection presents visual history of how 19th/20th-century American breweries promoted their products through exquisite signage designed by fine artists Anheuser-busch Beer Reverse Glass Corner Sign DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions, takes pleasure in announcing the November 13-15 auction of one of America’s most exceptional private holdings of antique breweriana: the Jim and MaryBeth Fischer collection. Amassed over 50 years, the couple’s assemblage of rare and unique advertising and merchandising artifacts spans a significant 100-year period that began in the late 1800s, when fine artists and skilled craftsmen combined their talents to create pieces of incomparable and enduring quality. The 1,416-lot auction is highlighted by many items that are either exquisitely rare or the only known examples of their kind. In addition to breathtaking antique signs of every imaginable variety from obscure, smaller breweries and great legacy brands, the auction lineup casts a wide net across many other types of beer-related collectibles. There are lithographs, chargers, serving trays, calendars, steins, clocks, historical awards and medals; and a fantastic variety of company-branded jewelry and premium items. The lifetime hobby that culminated in the Fischers’ awe-inspiring collection of antiques closely parallels Jim’s own career, which included many years in an executive role at the Anheuser-Busch brewing company in St Louis. It was there, Jim said, that his passion for collecting was taken to a whole new level. Later, when he moved on to establish his own software-development firm, there was no question as to how the walls of his corporate offices would be decorated, since the couple’s collection had already grown to the point that it adorned all three floors of their spacious home. But then the unexpected happened. COVID arrived on U.S. shores. “The pandemic caused the closure of my physical corporate offices and we had to move much of that part of our collection to a commercial storage facility,” Jim said. After that, he and MaryBeth made the decision to send their collection to auction so that, in Jim’s words, “others could enjoy these great items as much as we have.”…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseThe band played on as Morphy’s Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction reaped a $4.2M payday
Top lots: Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model ‘A’ music machine, $221,400; Caille Bros. Roulette 5¢ floor-model slot with 7-way roulette wheel payout, $135,300; Mills Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso, $49,200 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-violina Piano-violin Model "A" DENVER, Pa. – Antique European and American music, slot and fortune-telling machines took a well-deserved bow at Morphy’s October 17-19 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction, where 1,913 lots cashed out at a robust $4.2 million. As is always the case at the Pennsylvania company’s popular Coin-Op sales, there were plenty of “sleepers” that quietly simmered below the surface prior to auction day, only to end up eclipsing all expectations once the bidding wars began. The top-10 list was crowned by a superb example of a circa-1912 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model “A,” arguably the most successful automatic violin and piano-playing machine ever made. It is also one of the most spectacularly complicated of all music machines, with mechanisms that reproduce violin expression, bowing, vibrato and staccato, as well as piano expression replicating a very high standard of human touch and sensitivity. Restored in 1986 and again in 2014, it was acquired in 2012 by its present owner from Sanfilippo Place de la Musique in Barrington, Illinois. The business’ owner, Jasper Sanfilippo, obtained the German-made unit in 1983 from a restaurant in France. An undeniable superstar, it sold in the auction’s third session for $221,400. Also ready for primetime, a circa-1920 Mills Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso, comprised of two violins that play elegantly and simultaneously, had undergone a scrupulous 36-month restoration. Housed in a Brazilian mahogany cabinet, the sophisticated entertainer achieved a high distinction in its day when the U S Government named it “one of the greatest scientific inventions of the age.” As fine an example as any collector could ever hope to own, it sold within estimate for $49,200. An enticing selection of 145 rare slot machines was led by a circa-1904 Caille Bros (Detroit) Roulette 5¢ floor-model slot with a 7-way roulette wheel payout. Resplendent in its rare Honduran mahogany cabinet with ornate copper-flashed and plated iron castings, this desirable machine was fully restored and described by Morphy’s antique coin-op experts as…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseMorphy’s hosted the October Hershey crowd at a lively $2.1M Automobilia & Petroliana Auction
Motivated new bidders battled Morphy regulars for high-end rarities: Husky porcelain service station sign, $59,040; Sinclair ‘Dino’ curb sign, $52,800; Grizzly Gasoline ‘tombstone’ sign, $25,830 Husky Service Porcelain Service Station Shield Sign W/ Husky Dog Graphic. DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s October Automobilia & Petroliana Auction has become an annual tradition for motorheads who gather in central Pennsylvania for the Eastern National Fall Meet of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Better known as “Hershey” because of the city where it takes place, the massive car show and flea market attracts thousands of car enthusiasts from around the world. This year many show attendees decided to warm up their buying skills by heading over to Morphy’s October 6 pre-Hershey auction. The colorful gas and oil advertising sale was stocked with 652 lots of wonderful rarities that chalked up nearly $2.1 million. Estimate-defying prices were paid for many of the vintage signs, service station pumps and globes; motor oil cans and other petroleum-related accessories and display items. Animal mascots once again proved their popularity as advertising subjects, with several landing in the day’s top 10. Leading the group was the energetic Arctic dog who represents Husky Oil Co., founded in 1938 in Cody, Wyoming. Shown leaping playfully against a rising sun, the brand’s iconic Husky dog dominated an excellent double-sided porcelain sign of shield form and emblazoned with the phrase “Husky Service.” A sizable 42 by 48 inches, it was AGS-certified, with sides graded 89 and 87 respectively. Against an estimate of $20,000-$40,000, it ended its cross-tundra run at $59,040. Another long-standing mascot is Sinclair’s “Dino” the dinosaur. His well-detailed image, shown in profile with the tagline “Mellowed 100 Million Years,” was the focal point of a circa-1930s double-sided porcelain curb sign advertising Sinclair Pennsylvania Motor Oil. Measuring 24 inches in diameter, the red, white and black circular sign was AGS-certified, with sides graded 90 (front) and 93 (reverse). Exceptionally clean and offered with a $10,000-$20,000 estimate, it left a mighty footprint in claiming runner-up status at $54,120. Arguably the most formidable animal competitor was the hulking bear mascot for Grizzly Gasoline…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseAn iconic duo, Popeye and Elvis, will share top billing at Morphy’s Nov. 6-7 Toys & General Collectibles Auction
Featured: Mark Kuster’s 35-year toy collection spanning the Popeye universe; and a single-owner trove of fan club rarities and autographed material pertaining to “The King” Very Rare Linemar Battery-operated Popeye Oliveoyl Tank DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s last major toy sale of the year will take place on November 6-7, three weeks before Thanksgiving, but there isn’t a single “turkey” in the lineup. In fact, there’s so much quality and variety, it will feel like one of those great toy events of the pre-Internet era that collectors used to love. The auction is anchored by two major collections: a fantastic array of Popeye toys amassed over 35+ years by retired professor and Popeye reference-book author Mark Kuster, and a North Carolina collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia that will leave bidders all shook up. Kuster’s collection of approximately 72 Popeye toys includes some of the finest of all known examples, with 39 of the comic-character rarities retaining their original boxes. There are many seldom-seen color variations in the specialty grouping comprised of Popeye with Parrot Cages toys, whose differences include striped or solid-colored legs, caped or without cape, etc. The top picks in Kuster’s toy trove are a battery-operated Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank (with repro box), followed by a very rare Hoge tin speedboat, which is one of fewer than a dozen known to exist. Also in the circle of honor are a boxed Chein Popeye Heavy Hitter and a Linemar Popeye Aeroplane, which is small but beautiful and very difficult to find in excellent to near-mint working condition. Another of Kuster’s personal favorites is a classic Hubley cast-iron Popeye Motorcycle. The Elvis collection comes from a diehard fan who always bought but never sold, meaning the goodies are fresh to the market. Many pieces were autographed by “The King” himself, including 20 rare sets of Elvis Presley cards that span the years 1956-1978 and have a total estimated value of $10,000-$20,000. Additionally, there are cards from a series produced in the late 1970s after Presley’s passing (in 1977). Many of the cards are graded. Additionally, there are Graceland mementos, bracelets,…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseThe entertainment is free and you might hit the jackpot at Morphy’s Oct. 17-19 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction in Las Vegas
Featured: Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model A music machine, $250K-$500K, 1904 Caille Bros. 5¢ floor-model Roulette slot machine, $150K-$300K, fortune tellers, arcade machines, 825 advertising signs Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Piano-Violin Model "A" LAS VEGAS – There will be no shortage of accomplished entertainers at Morphy’s Oct. 17-19 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction in Las Vegas. A world-class lineup of European antique music machines is waiting in the wings to thrill auction guests with bravo-worthy performances rivaling famed orchestras and musicians of a century ago. Those who cannot attend the event in person are invited to bid absentee, by phone or live online through Morphy’s bidding platform. Leading the A-list lineup is a circa-1912 Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model “A,” which is regarded as the most successful automatic violin and piano-playing machine ever made and one of the most spectacular of all music machines. Its complex mechanisms reproduce violin expression, bowing, vibrato, staccato, etc., as well as piano expression, replicating the technique of highly accomplished pianists. Restored in 1986 and again in 2014, it was acquired in 2012 by its present owner from Sanfilippo Place de la Musique in historic Barrington, Illinois. Jasper Sanfilippo obtained the unit in 1983 from a restaurant in France. Its auction estimate is $250,000-$500,000. Another musical wonder, a Coinola Model SO Super Orchestrion is one of approximately 50 manufactured circa 1920 by the Operators Piano Company of Chicago. Its “orchestra” includes an 88-note piano (78 notes play automatically), a mandolin, violin and flute pipes; drums, a cymbal and other smaller percussion instruments. It is designed to plays 10-tune “O” rolls. Marketed at the start of the Prohibition Era, its original owner is reputed to have been a Chicago mobster. Restored twice, in 1986 and again in 2015, it is ready to grace a new collection and is estimated at $100,000-$200,000. Also ready to step into the spotlight is a circa-1920 Mills Deluxe Violano-Virtuoso comprised of two violins that play elegantly and simultaneously. Housed in a Brazilian mahogany cabinet, this unit underwent a scrupulous 36-month restoration in which no small detail was spared. The U S Government designated the Violano-Virtuoso as “one…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHigh-octane selections rev up Morphy’s Oct. 6 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction
Featured: 1920s ‘Pig Sandwich’ neon sign from America’s first drive-in restaurant, 1930s Texas Pacific ‘tepee’ sign, Sinclair ‘Dino’ and Husky Oil dog-mascot signs; rare gas pump globes, ’34 Ford Tudor 1920s die-cut porcelain neon sign from Pig Stand drive-in restaurant (Dallas, Texas) DENVER, Pa. – Few collecting categories can rival gas and oil advertising signs for color, imaginative graphics or the level of bidder enthusiasm they generate at auction. That has been proven time and again at Morphy’s blockbuster Automobilia & Petroliana sales, which, over the years have featured some of the hobby’s most revered collections, including those of Bobby Knudsen Jr, and the late Kyle Moore. The Pennsylvania company’s next stellar selection of motoring-related signage and service station items will cross the auction block on October 6, with all forms of remote bidding available in addition to live participation at the gallery. The 651-lot auction features 425 signs, 64 gas pumps, 134 gas globes and lenses, 25 motor oil and other product cans, display items, and other uncommon service station accessories. A number of pieces have been certified and graded by AGS, the premier authentication and grading service for antique advertising. The auction’s headliner is a 1920s die-cut porcelain neon sign from the Pig Stand drive-in restaurant in Dallas, Texas. Measuring an impressive 73 by 41 inches, the sign advertises “Pig Sandwich,” which, according to Texas Monthly magazine, was the Pig Stand’s lead menu item. The famed barbeque restaurant, which went on to become a chain operation with locations in six states, is entrenched in motoring history. The original Dallas Pig Stand held the title of first-ever drive-in restaurant in America and was established in 1921 on the premise that many patrons – including travelers – would rather dine in their cars than go inside. Accordingly, they came up with yet another innovation: carhops to deliver meals to their parked customers. The Pig Sandwich sign entered in Morphy’s auction would be an astonishing rarity in any condition, but luckily for collectors, it displays phenomenal color and gloss throughout. Its neon illuminates through the lettering in green, as well as…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseMorphy’s chosen to auction the celebrated Wayne Edens fishing lure collection
The most comprehensive and historically important collection of its type ever to reach the marketplace, Edens’ collection includes one of 8 legendary Heddon ‘factory board’ frogs, hand-carved circa-1898 Angled view of one of the original eight Heddon ‘factory board’ frog lures hand-carved circa 1898 by Heddon Company founder James Heddon. To be auctioned Dec. 10 at Morphy’s Denver, Pa., gallery with a $30,000-$60,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions, has always enjoyed fishing the tranquil lakes of his native Pennsylvania, but his biggest catch was announced today and it’s neither trout nor bass. Morphy’s has been commissioned to auction the renowned Wayne Edens collection of antique and vintage fishing lures. A three-part auction series is planned, with a debut auction slated for December 10, 2024, and two more dates to follow in 2025. Each sale will feature 600 to 700 lots. The largest, most comprehensive and historically important collection of its type ever to come to the public marketplace, the Edens assemblage contains many exquisitely rare examples, including an elusive, 100% original Heddon “factory board” frog lure, hand-carved circa 1898. Fishing lure expert Scott Jedd, who is cataloging the auction’s contents, confirmed that the Heddon frog is one of eight such lures – or baits, as they are also called – that were personally crafted by James Heddon, founder of the Heddon Company, and subsequently exhibited on a display board at the factory. “In the world of lures, those eight frogs are as rare and coveted as Faberge eggs,” Jedd remarked. “They represent the original American wood baits.” In 1977, Clyde A Harbin Sr, an outdoorsman, author and fishing lure archivist known as “The Bassman™,” was invited by Heddon to visit the factory and declutter the board by removing any baits that were not Heddon productions. The eight frogs were present on the board both before and after the board was thinned out, and were photographed many times. Harbin would later write a book titled Heddon Historical Footprints in which he details where each of the eight frogs ended up. Today,…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseRarity and condition fueled above-estimate prices at Morphy’s July 11 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction
Highlights: circa-1940s Harbor Petroleum sign, $46,740; Aerio 70 Gasoline globe, $34,800; Michelin banner, $34,440; Clear Vision duplex gas pump, $30,000; Esso Aviation sign, $20,910 Harbor Petroleum Products Porcelain Sign W/ Seaplane Graphic. DENVER, Pa. – Collectors of high-end gas and oil collectibles know where to go for the “good stuff,” and to many that means Morphy’s Automobilia & Petroliana auctions. The most recent edition of Morphy’s motoring-focused specialty sale, held July 11 at the company’s Pennsylvania gallery, featured 650 lots of choice petroleum-related advertising signs, elusive gas pumps and globes; colorful oil cans, and eye-catching display pieces. The sale totaled $1.85 million, with most lots either finishing within estimate or surpassing expectations. As is always the case at Morphy’s, some unexpected auction competitors enjoyed runaway success because they had exactly what collectors wanted: rarity, eye appeal and clean, crisp condition. The top lot of the day was a circa-1940s Harbor Petroleum Products sign with an exciting seaplane-on-water graphic. The single-sided porcelain sign was in 8.75 condition, with a Pacific blue, orange and yellow palette and an oval cartouche in which the seaplane was showcased. Described in Morphy’s catalog as “exceptional” and potentially “hard to upgrade,” this high-flying sign landed within estimate at $46,740. A circa-1920s Norwalk Tires double-sided tin service station flange sign was designed in “billboard” style with a graphic that showed a Norwalk tire, a period automobile in the background, and a couple seated outdoors with a golf bag and clubs. Additionally, its message boasted “8,000 Miles,” presumably the mileage a driver might expect to achieve from one of the company’s sturdy “Cord” tires. With sides graded 79 and 78, respectively, the attractive advertisement sold above high estimate for $27,000. Big and bold, a circa-1940s two-piece, single-sided porcelain sign promoting Esso Aviation Products with an impressive winged graphic at its center was of a type seldom seen in the marketplace. A massive 90 inches wide by 72 inches high, the red, white and blue beauty was bid to $20,910 against an estimate of $3,000-$5,000. A timely entry, considering the Paris Olympics would soon be opening in Paris, a…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseMotorheads: Get your kicks at Morphy’s high-octane July 11 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction
Featured: Mobil Pegasus porcelain neon sign, Musgo, Aerio 70, Sunset De Luxe and Gilmore ‘Lion’ gas pump globes; service station rarities, plus soda pop signs and vending machines Outstanding Mobil Pegasus rotator neon sign comprised of two single-sided figural porcelain neon signs. Lights up beautifully around the entire perimeter of the sign and on the iconic flying horse’s wings. AGS-certified and graded 83/84. Size: 72in x 15½in x 85in. Estimate: $50,000-$100,000 DENVER, Pa. – America is a land of cars, and from coast to coast there are diehard motorheads – collectors of auto, gasoline and oil-related advertising – who consider Morphy’s exciting Automobilia & Petroliana auctions to be their own personal Disneyland. They’re already checking out the Pennsylvania company’s next tempting array of motoring-related collectibles, which will roll across the auction block on Thursday, July 11. The 650-lot selection features choice advertising signs, rare gas pumps and globes; oil cans, and eye-catching display pieces. The sale also includes the types of colorful soda pop signs and wall clocks that would have adorned roadside diners back when Route 66 was the way westward-bound drivers “got their kicks.” The star of the show is an absolutely outstanding Mobil Pegasus porcelain rotator neon sign sized 72 by 85 inches, and 15½ inches deep. Comprised of two single-sided figural porcelain neon signs, it lights up beautifully around its entire perimeter as well as on the mythological flying horse’s wings. Everyone knows the Mobil Pegasus, and this ready-to-hang sign shows the popular brand mascot at its very best. Importantly, it is AGS-certified and graded 83/84 (per side). Strong competition and a winning bid of $50,000-$100,000 are expected on auction day. Ask any petroliana collector which rare sign they would most love to acquire and there’s a high likelihood they would say the circa-1940s Harbor Petroleum Products sign with the appealing seaplane-on-water graphic. Morphy’s is pleased to offer an exceptional example of the single-sided porcelain sign in 8.75 condition. Its unbeatable color palette combines Pacific blue, orange and yellow, with the seaplane presented in an oval cartouche as though it were a fine painting. Exhibiting high…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseGlittering designer jewels, Tiffany lamps and a thrilling Wurlitzer Pianorchestra were crowd-pleasers at Morphy’s Fine & Decorative Arts sale
Above-estimate prices paid for book examples of decorative art, including circa-1906 Paul Dachsel ‘experimental’ Amphora vase and circa-1900 Zsolnay iridescent vase designed by Lajos Mack Tiffany Studios ‘Peony’ leaded-glass lamp with multicolored background of mottled cobalt blues and streaked sky blues. Extensive multicolored confetti glass with wonderful transparency. Blossoms comprising numerous types of Tiffany glass, including granite-backed reds and highly mottled opalescent whites. Shade and base are signed by Tiffany. Provenance: shade formerly in Minna Rosenblatt collection; base previously sold at Sotheby’s. Sold within estimate range for $110,700 DENVER, Pa. – Stunning jewels, art-glass lamps, a Wurlitzer Pianorchestra and a 1906 Amphora vase whose design foretold the future were among the highlights of Morphy’s June 11-12 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction. The $1.53 million sale offered bidders a widely varied choice with prized examples from many of today’s most popular collecting categories. Twenty-five lamps by Tiffany Studios led the colorful parade of antique lighting. In addition to the coveted Tiffanys, there were scores of beautiful leaded and reverse-painted lamps by Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, and Pairpoint. The 72-lot group was crowned by a Tiffany “Peony” table lamp whose shade featured a medley of multicolored confetti glass, blossoms crafted from numerous types of Tiffany glass – including granite-backed reds and highly mottled opalescent whites – against a multicolored background of mottled cobalt and streaked sky-blue glass. Both the Peony shade and base were signed by Tiffany. The shade boasted illustrious provenance, having once been in the collection of Minna Rosenblatt (1944-2008); while the lamp’s base was previously acquired at a Sotheby’s auction. Ms Rosenblatt owned a premier Madison Avenue (NYC) antiques gallery for 35 years and was one of the influential dealers who fostered the 1950s revival of Tiffany lamps and other Art Nouveau glass. The stellar Peony lamp presented by Morphy’s sold within estimate for $110,700. Peonies also featured prominently in a monumental Duffner & Kimberly leaded-glass table lamp. Mounted on a 32-inch-tall Duffner & Kimberly base, the shade was ablaze with color. Its lush, deep-red peonies against a warm yellow ground with multi-hued green leaves, was further beautified by…
