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 Industry, Press Release
    Morphy Auctions is ready to entertain with rare antique coin-ops and advertising signs, April 11-13 in Las Vegas

    Caille Bros Musical Triple Eclipse upright slot machine from 1960s ‘Dobby Doc’ Nevada warehouse find leads stellar lineup with $150K-$300K estimate Very Rare 5¢, 50¢, 5¢ Caille Bros. Musical Eclipse Triplet Upright Slot Machine DENVER, Pa. – At the turn of the 20th century, coin-operated machines could be found nearly everywhere, from arcades and boardwalks to hotel lobbies and bars. They stood ready to entertain, dispense a treat, tell a fortune or offer patrons a chance to win a jackpot, all for the cost of a penny, nickel or quarter. But it will take much more than pocket change to take home one of the fabulous treasures of that era offered in Morphy’s April 11-13 Coin-Op & Antique Advertising Auction. The 1,919-lot sale, which is chock-full of rarities from acclaimed collections, will be held at Morphy’s spacious Las Vegas gallery, with all forms of remote bidding also available, including live online through Morphy Live.  The diverse selection features beautiful gambling, vending, music and pinball machines, plus a spectacular array of antique advertising. Categories represented within the 1,225 lots of advertising signage and related items include tobacco, alcoholic beverages, snacks and gum; barber shop, general store, circus/carnival and many more. The sale’s top-estimated lot figures prominently in Nevada’s long gambling tradition. It is a rare and highly sought-after Caille Bros Musical Triple Eclipse upright slot machine whose design incorporates three separate machines – accepting 5¢, 50¢ and 5¢ respectively – in one stunning oak cabinet. An artistic masterpiece with its all-original castings and most of its original nickel plating, the unit was made sometime between 1902 and 1904. It is marked with Serial No. 121, confirming it is the earliest of only four extant examples of this particular model. Following its period of service as a gambling device, the machine became part of the fabled Dobby Doc collection, which was amassed in the 1930s and ’40s and lay dormant until it was discovered in a Nevada warehouse in the late 1960s. A breathtaking production in working order, the Caille Musical Triple Eclipse even retains its Yale locks and keys. The pre-sale…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    All roads led to Vegas for Morphy’s smash $4.26M Automobilia & Petroliana Auction

    Neon ruled: Polly Gas sign featuring company’s parrot mascot left its perch at $138K, while a stunning Mohawk Gasoline sign with a Native-American motif commanded $105K Polly Gas Porcelain Neon Sign W Original Metal Can. LAS VEGAS – America’s entertainment mecca – Las Vegas – is known for its dazzling neon, and not just outdoors. Fabulous vintage neon signs to rival anything on the megawatt Vegas Strip towered above the selection of high-octane advertising at Morphy’s $4.26 million Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana Auction, February 24-25. The 1,247-lot sale, conducted at the Pennsylvania auction company’s West Coast satellite gallery, offered the best of the best, with most of the major pieces expertly assessed and pre-certified by Authentication & Grading Services (AGS). The rainbow array of neon signage was led by a Polly Gas porcelain sign that illuminated in three colors and featured its endearing parrot mascot on her perch, with one foot lifted up. The 96-inch-long sign had never been removed from its original can and was AGS-certified and graded 82. Collectors knew it was one “rare bird” and competed aggressively to own it. In the end, pretty Polly flew off to a new owner who paid $138,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$100,000. Another sought-after highlight was an outstanding Mohawk Gasoline porcelain neon sign designed in a cathedral shape with a Native American brave shown in profile. Colorful and glossy, the sign was AGS-certified and graded 90. It sold for a strong $105,000 against an estimate of $30,000-$60,000. There was more neon excitement to follow. A rare double-sided porcelain neon sign for GMC Trucks, complete with its bullnose attachment, paired pink neon with two unusual shades of green that were consistent with its Art Deco style. With sides graded 90 and 89 respectively, the 85-inch by 47-inch dealership advertisement sped to a closing bid of $56,580 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.  Another dealership sign that found favor was a rare and outstanding Ford porcelain-script three-dimensional neon sign. Its only message was “Ford,” and that’s all it had to say at a massive 111 inches wide by 42 inches high. It…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    Star Wars figures, sports cards and antique toys landed in the top 10 at Morphy’s fun-filledFeb. 14-16 auction

    Lot of 5 exotic Spanish Star Wars figures brought the force, going 22 times high estimate; Lionel Mickey Mouse Circus Train set originally priced at $2 glides to $10,765 Lionel Pre-war O Gauge Mickey Mouse Circus Train Set In Original Box W Accessories DENVER, Pa. – Toys and banks of a century ago joined contemporary pop-culture classics at the top of prices realized, February 14-16 at Morphy Auctions. The Pennsylvania company’s 1,425-lot Toys & Collectibles sale incorporated virtually every category sought after by today’s toy enthusiasts, from pressed-steel automotive, European tin windups and cast-iron mechanical banks to postwar Japanese robots and Star Wars collectibles. To no one’s surprise, Stars Wars figures and vintage sports cards attracted knowledgeable bidders who pushed prices into the five-figure range. The top lot of the sale was a group of five scarce Spanish carded Star Wars figures from Kenner’s Empire Strikes Back series. “The more unusual, the better collectors like them,” said Tommy Sage Jr., Head of Morphy’s Toy Division. “That includes any Star Wars figures that are of foreign manufacture.” The lot consisted of the characters Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Denjar, and two favorites identified by their Spanish names: “Luke Caminacielos” (Luke Skywalker) and “Erredos-de-Dos” (R2-D2). All of the figures were in VG condition and sealed in plastic on their original cards. The group lot was bid to $13,530, more than 22 times its high estimate of $600. Of the individual figures offered, the one attracting the most interest was a 1979 Kenner Star Wars Boba Fett 21 Back-C action figure in mint condition, encapsulated in a new-style case. The silent and mysterious Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett is one of the most captivating of all characters in the vast Star Wars universe. AFA graded 80, the figure offered by Morphy’s sold for a strong $7,995. Another outer space dweller, a very rare Alps battery-operated Missile Robot strode across the auction block in outstanding – possibly unused – condition. The 15-inch missile-shooting robot presented in perfect order with its original dish antenna and original pictorial box with factory cardboard inserts. Against a $3,000-$6,000 estimate, the…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Automobilia and petroliana collectors can fill ’er up at Morphy’s Feb. 24-25 auction in Las Vegas

    1,247-lot sale features porcelain and neon signs; gas pumps and globes; service station display items and wall clocks; 85 vintage oil cans + 68 lots of railroadiana Clipper Gasoline Porcelain Sign With Airplane Graphic. LAS VEGAS – It’s time for automobilia and petroliana collectors to rev up their engines and head for Las Vegas, where Morphy’s will host an exciting February 24-25 auction of antique and vintage gas- and oil-related memorabilia. The 1,247-lot sale lineup, with most major pieces certified and graded by AGS, includes exactly what today’s gearheads want. There are pristine porcelain and neon advertising signs, gas pumps and globes; 85 vintage oil cans, service station display items, logo’d wall clocks, plus 68 lots of railroadiana. Those who cannot attend the high-octane gathering at America’s entertainment capital have the option of bidding absentee, by phone, or live online through Morphy Live. The auction room will be ablaze with color from rare early signs like a coveted Clipper Gasoline (Independent Petroleum Co., Portland, Ore.) oval porcelain sign emblazoned with an iconic airplane graphic and artistic italicized lettering. A sizable 60 inches long by 35 inches wide, the sign has been AGS-certified, with its sides graded 87 and 79, respectively. The auction estimate is $30,000-$60,000. Other top highlights within the 721-lot selection of signs include three round examples with irresistible eye appeal: a double-sided Frontier Gas “Rarin’ To Go’ sign with the company’s iconic cowboy-on-rearing-horse graphic, estimated at $40,000-$80,000; an exceptionally fine and rare circa-1930s Houston Gasoline sign depicting Texas hero General Sam Houston on horseback, $30,000-$40,000; and a double-sided Sinclair Aircraft porcelain sign with a central image of an early monoplane, $25,000-$50,000. One of the premier neon signs chosen for the auction is a beautiful 54-inch by 42-inch Mohawk Gasoline porcelain neon sign of cathedral shape with a Native American brave shown in profile. Exhibiting very good color and gloss throughout, this most-wanted sign is AGS-certified and graded 90. The pre-sale estimate is $30,000-$60,000. Pets are always allowed in a petroliana collection, especially when the subject is the beloved parrot mascot for Polly Gas. Adding its star power to…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Morphy’s February 14-16 Toys & Collectibles Auction offers pleasing variety of American, Japanese and European favorites, from Bing boats to Barbies

    Sports memorabilia section led by extremely rare BBCE-authenticated 1976/’77 Topps ‘Hockey’ wax case with four factory-sealed boxes, each containing 36 bubble gum picture-card packs 197677 Topps Hockey Factory Sealed Wax Case (Bbce) DENVER, Pa. – It’s toy time at Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery, where 1,425 lots of top-notch toys and collectibles will be auctioned in a three-day live event, February 14-16. Virtually every popular toy category is represented in the auction lineup, from classics like pressed-steel automotive, European tin windups and cast-iron mechanical banks to modern-era/vintage favorites such as postwar Japanese tin, Barbies and Star Wars collectibles. Additionally, the auction features coveted sports memorabilia – including cards, sneakers and autographed material – as well as a choice array of 200+ antique occupational shaving mugs.  More than 100 banks will cross the auction block, including 56 cast-iron mechanicals. Many favorites by J & E Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut, are at the forefront. A near-mint “Bad Accident” bank with bright colors and 97% paint retains its original wood factory box and is estimated at $4,000-$8,000; while an excellent+ Boy Scout Camp bank with its original flag is estimated at $3,000-$6,000. The highest-estimated Stevens mechanical, at $10,000-$15,000, is a near-mint “Called Out” mechanical bank, which has a sentry theme and was assembled from very rare bronze patterns. One of very few known examples of a colorful German tin bank known as “Man in the Garden” is graded VG-excellent and is estimated at $4,000-$7,000. It was manufactured by the noted German firm Gerbruder Bing and depicts a hatted and aproned gentleman with a watering can, tending to his flowers. Bing is also represented within the sale’s approximately 50 European toy lots. A Bing 40-inch clockwork tin oceanliner with four stacks. The vessel is mostly original and has 10 lifeboats. It is marked with the ship’s name Keiser Wilhelm on both sides of the prow. In excellent condition, it is guided by a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. Lehmann, another revered German producer of tin toys, based many of their most popular designs on actual people Ernst Paul Lehmann encountered in everyday life or during his travels. His only…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    Show-off! Spectacular Tiffany Studios ‘Peacock’ lamp flies to $307,500 at Morphy’s Dec. 18-19 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction

    Other highlights: Tiffany ‘Nasturtium’ lamp, $110,700 + ‘Daffodil’ lamp, $73,800; Amphora Crocodile vase, $31,980; 1851 $50 gold coin, $26,400; horse-drawn ambulance occupational shaving mug, $23,370 DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s gallery glowed with holiday spirit on December 18-19 as the Pennsylvania company presented the 2023 edition of its popular pre-Christmas Fine & Decorative Arts Auction. The impressive array of antiques and luxury goods offered top-tier choices from dozens of categories ranging from avant-garde European art pottery to 19th-century gold jewelry, marine paintings and scarce occupational shaving mugs. The final tally for the two-day sale was $2.1 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. Tiffany Studios ‘Peacock’ leaded-glass table lamp on rare, matching ‘Peacock’ base. One of Tiffany’s most beloved and iconic glass patterns, with motif of peacock feathers with captivating ‘eyes.’ Signed shade and base. Excellent condition. Sold above high estimate for $307,500 During the auction preview, a full spectrum of brilliant hues beamed from the lineup of majestic Tiffany Studios leaded-glass lamps. At the pinnacle of the showy lighting group was a Tiffany Peacock table lamp on a rare, matching Peacock base. A beloved and iconic glass pattern, with a motif that replicates peacock feathers with mesmerizing “eyes,” Peacock features a background of deep, saturated purples that progress to softer lavenders and blues, ultimately terminating in emerald greens and yellows along the lower apron. In excellent condition and signed on both the shade and base, this breathtaking lamp sold comfortably above its high estimate for $307,500. Another top performer in the Tiffany Studios selection was a Nasturtium leaded-glass table lamp whose colorway incorporates some of Tiffany’s most complex types of glass, including streamer, confetti, ripple and drapery. Signed both on its shade and under its library base, the lamp garnered a within-estimate price of $110,700. Also having a fine day on the auction block, a Tiffany Studios Daffodil leaded-glass table lamp with a ribbon column and patinated bronze library base with onion-bulb pattern was signed on the shade, and both signed and stamped under the base. An additional stamped number to its underside suggested that the lamp was likely a showroom model.…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Morphy’s celebrates holiday season with opulent Dec. 18-19 auction of fine and decorative art, luxury goods

    Featured: Exquisite Tiffany Studios lamps, Rolex and other magnificent watches, jewelry, coins, rare Amphora, premier collections of antique maps, walking canes, occupational shaving mugs DENVER, Pa. – December is traditionally a time to decorate, entertain and display one’s best heirloom silver, crystal and other antique wares. Morphy’s captures the holiday spirit each year with a glittering pre-Christmas Fine & Decorative Arts Auction of choice and beautiful objects and artworks. All of their most-loved collector categories – from Tiffany Studios art glass to luxury watches – will take the spotlight at this year’s edition, scheduled for December 18 and 19. More than 1,200 lots will be offered, with several highlight collections, including walking sticks and canes; antique maps, art pottery, and occupational shaving mugs. Men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual 40mm Cosmograph Daytona 18K gold and stainless-steel wristwatch with black dial. Circa 2019. Accompanied by box and papers. Estimate: $20,000-$25,000 Those seeking the ultimate in stocking stuffers are sure to find them within the 200+ lots of jewelry, watches and coins. Nearly two dozen Swiss wristwatches await bidders, including 12 superlative models by Rolex. A Rolex 18K white gold 36mm Day-Date watch with a meteorite diamond dial is estimated at $25,000-$35,000; while a circa-2019 Oyster Perpetual 40mm Cosmograph Daytona 18K gold and stainless-steel model with a black dial is entered with a $20,000-$25,000 estimate. Thirty-four pocket watches, with brand names including Hamilton, Waltham, and Elgin, will be ticking with precision during the opening session. Of special note is a 14K William B Miller private label gold quartz hunting-cased pocket watch with chain and fobs, made circa 1885, which is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Seventy-seven lots of coins and currency will be auctioned. Highlights include several 19th-century $20 Gold Liberty coins and something extra special: an 1851 US $50 gold coin known as an Augustus Humbert 887, smoothed with VF details. This scarce coin has been PCGS authenticated and comes to auction with a $20,000-$30,000 estimate. Nearly 100 art glass lamps will welcome auction guests to Morphy’s gallery, with a radiant rainbow of colors emitted from designs by Duffner & Kimberly, Handel, Pairpoint and, of…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    $5.1M sale of coin-op & gambling machines, advertising and country store antiques marked Morphy Auctions’ triumphant return to Las Vegas

    Oct. 27-30 event was led by rare penny arcade ‘lung tester,’ upright double musical Puck and other Caille slot machines, Art Deco neon automotive signs, pre-Prohibition brewery signs LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Morphy Auctions has returned to Vegas, and West Coast collectors are loving it. After a four-year hiatus, the Pennsylvania company’s $5.1 million sale held at its new Vegas location on October 27-30 was the first step toward re-establishing Morphy’s presence in America’s entertainment capital. Motivated bidders, including many who have been loyal Morphy Auctions customers for years, came from literally all western states to attend the 2,214-lot sale of premium-quality coin-op and gambling machines, antique advertising and country store treasures.  “It was so refreshing to see so many old and new friends in attendance, and the energy and excitement of the sale went beyond anything witnessed since pre-COVID. With a profound exclamation point, it’s rewarding to simply say, we’re back!” said auction curator Tom Tolworthy. Those in attendance gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to Tolworthy’s confirmation that, going forward, the spacious new Las Vegas facility will serve as the permanent venue for all of Morphy’s popular Coin-Op & Antique Advertising sales. But that’s not all. In recognition of the West Coast’s dynamic car culture, a February 24-25 Automobilia & Petroliana auction has been added to the company’s Las Vegas calendar. The spectacular coin-ops that awaited bidders at the October sale formed a visual history of machines whose original purpose was to entertain, dispense goods or offer patrons the chance to hit a jackpot, all for the cost of a coin. More than 15 coveted upright slot machines highlighted the offering, including several early rarities manufactured by Caille Bros of Detroit, Michigan. Original circa-1904 Mills 1¢ novelty ‘Hats Off’ penny arcade lung tester with faces of eight different men whose tin (designed to replicate ‘straw’) hats can be blown off if user’s lung strength is sufficient. Message on front panel says ‘Come On Boys…Who Blows Best.’ Extremely rare; one of fewer than a handful known. Sold well above high estimate for $119,000 A circa-1903 Caille 5¢ and 25¢ double…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Fresh-to-market advertising and country store antiques join major railroadiana collections at Morphy’s, Nov. 15-16

    Featured highlight: Magnificent and complete 1925 Karl Muller 18-character carousel restored to the most exacting European standards DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s Antique Advertising department will conclude its 2023 schedule on a high note with a November 15-16 auction that combines coveted antique advertising and country store items with rare railroad memorabilia. The lineup of 1,415 expertly-cataloged lots includes several premier collections that are absolutely fresh to the market, including two advertising and country store collections, and a bonus assemblage of more than two dozen complete late-18th-century cast-iron stoves. With the addition of two top-notch railroadiana collections and even a glorious 1925 German carousel, Morphy’s sale has all the essentials for an entertaining two-day event that collectors will find hard to resist. Over 400 advertising signs are in the mix, touting a huge array of products such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, Coca-Cola and other soda pop brands, and the various products that would have been offered in general stores. Two dozen clocks are entered, many of them illuminating, and with the majority touting soft drinks. Several circa-1950s Sunbeam Bread signs in the auction selection feature the image of Little Miss Sunbeam, a delightful child with curly blond hair who first appeared in the bakery’s ads in 1955. A single-sided embossed tin sign that exclaims, “Come In! We Serve The Best Made With Sunbeam Rolls” measures 54¾ inches long and is estimated at $3,000-$5,000, while a second sign of similar size and construction urges the customer to “Reach For Sunbeam Energy-Packed Bread” and is estimated at $2,000-$4,000. Both signs are graded a strong condition 9.0, exhibit outstanding color and gloss, and would likely be difficult to upgrade.  An amazing single-owner collection of complete, late-18th-century cast-iron stoves will make its auction debut on Day 1 of Morphy auction sale. The fresh-to-market, museum-quality collection is a virtual representation of many of the great manufacturers of the period, including Acme, Temple, Quaker, J L Mott, Mt Penn, and Colebrookdale, to name but a few. An early Penn-Franklin parlor stove patented 1888 is an especially ornate example with all-original castings, doors and skirting. Its brass…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Morphy’s returns to Las Vegas for Oct. 27-30 auction of antique coin-op and gambling machines, early advertising and country store antiques

    Featured: Elusive ‘Hats Off’ penny arcade lung tester, $50K-$100K; Yeager cigar store maiden, Caille & Mills draw poker cigar trade stimulators, Rock-Ola 1¢ baseball machine, shaving mugs LAS VEGAS, Nev. – After a four-year hiatus, Morphy’s will re-establish their Las Vegas presence with an Oct. 27-30 auction of premium-quality coin-op and gambling machines, antique advertising and general store treasures. Going forward, the company’s spacious new Las Vegas facility will serve as the permanent venue for all of Morphy’s popular Coin-Op & Antique Advertising sales, as well as an added Automobilia & Petroliana auction in February of 2024. All forms of remote bidding will be available at these events, including live online through Morphy Live.  Auction Curator Tom Tolworthy, a renowned expert on the subject of coin-operated and gambling machines, said Morphy’s return to Las Vegas has been very well received by collectors in the western states. “The response has been overwhelming. West Coast consignors who were hesitant about having their valuable machines shipped across the country to our flagship gallery in Pennsylvania were excited to have the option of selling them in our fall coin-op auction in Las Vegas,” Tolworthy said. “Our trucks travel to all western states, and we have a large, super-secure facility for the processing and storage of consignments. Many will find that it’s an easy drive to attend the auction, where they’ll encounter the same friendly team from Morphy’s that they’ve come to know so well over the years.” Boasting more than 2,200 lots over four days, the auction presents a panoramic history of machines whose original purpose was to entertain, dispense goods or offer patrons the chance to hit a jackpot, all for the cost of a coin. More than 15 excellent upright slot machines are included. Additionally, the selection includes some of the rarest and finest advertising signs and country store antiques Morphy’s has ever handled. Circa-1910 Caille 5-cent ‘Tourist’ cast-iron slot machine. Player would choose ‘country,’ deposit nickel, and pull handle. Wonderful overall condition with attractive patina. A prize for the advanced collector. Estimate: $50,000-$80,000 Collectors are likely to discover many early cast-iron…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    Morphy Auctions wraps spirited Bobby Knudsen Jr Automobilia & Petroliana series at nearly $10M

    Final offering of the Idaho super-collector’s signs served as opening-day highlight of a Sept. 29-Oct. 1 auction that chalked up $5.1M DENVER, Pa. – There’s likely to be a very long stretch of highway ahead of collectors before they see another gas and oil advertising collection to rival the one amassed by Bobby Knudsen Jr. Heralded far and wide for its ultra-rare, superior-condition gas, oil and soda pop signs, the Knudsen collection added high-octane fuel to an already energized hobby through a series of three no-reserve sales at Morphy’s that commenced in fall 2022. The last of Knudsen’s envy-stirring signs served as the opening-day highlight of Morphy’s September 29-October 1, 2023 sale and pushed the collection’s series grand total to just shy of $10 million.  “I can’t believe all three Knudsen sales are now part of history. What a year!” said John Mihovetz, Morphy’s Automobilia & Petroliana department head. “It was such a pleasure to handle Bobby’s collection and guide it every step of the way to its exciting conclusion. The Knudsen sales kicked open the doors to the next level of collecting by showing the power that can be generated when high condition meets extreme rarity.” Prior to the fall 2023 sale – which included property from additional consignors on Days 2 and 3 and grossed $5.1 million – the final selection of signs from the famed Knudsen collection was given the royal treatment. Each was graded, certified and stickered by AGS, the recently launched expert grading service that specializes in antique advertising. Bruinoil and Bruin Gasoline (Pa.) double-sided tin flange sign with fantastic central image of roaring bear with slogan ‘The Bear Of Them All.’ Most likely new/old stock. Size: 18in x 14in. AGS certified with sides graded 94 and 91, respectively, on a scale of 1-100, Sold for $92,250 against a $40,000-$80,000 estimate As had been the case in the earlier Knudsen sales, consistently high prices were paid for the “unicorns” – and there were plenty. A show-stopping Bruinoil and Bruin Gasoline (Butler County, Pa.) double-sided tin flange sign with a fantastic central image of a roaring…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Last call for Bobby Knudsen Jr Automobilia & Petroliana Collection, headlining at Morphy Auctions Sept. 29-Oct. 1

    Knudsen’s world-famous assemblage of gas & oil advertising signs will be auctioned on Day 1, with select pieces from other high-end collections offered on Days 2-3 DENVER, Pa. – It has been an exciting year-long journey for automobilia and petroliana collectors since Morphy Auctions first announced a series of sales dedicated to the Bobby Knudsen Jr Collection. Known far and wide for its ultra-rare and super-fine gas, oil and soda pop signs, the Knudsen collection rocked the hobby at no-reserve sales held in fall 2022 and spring 2023, both of which attracted aggressive bidding and set dozens of world records. But all good things must come to an end, and that will happen when the third and final installment of the Knudsen collection is offered exclusively and with no reserve on the opening day of Morphy’s Sept. 29-Oct. 1 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction.  “Many great signs were intentionally set aside for Part III of the Knudsen series,” said John Mihovetz, Morphy Auctions’ Automobilia & Petroliana department head. “Bobby wanted it that way, and so did we. It will be a worthy farewell to a legendary collection.” Days 2 and 3 include select consignments of rare and fresh-to-the-market signs, globes, cans, and gas pumps from other high-end collections, with pre-sale estimates ranging from $100-$100,000.  A valuable bonus applies to all pieces from the Knudsen Collection Part III. Each and every item has been graded, certified and stickered by AGS, the recently launched expert grading service that specializes in antique advertising. Also, two hardbound catalogs have been produced for the upcoming auction: one specifically for the Knudsen Collection Part III, and a second edition that covers the Day 2-3 sessions. The two books are sold as one bundle which also includes a custom slipcase designed to hold the Knudsen catalogs from Parts I, II and III. “The Knudsen catalogs are already regarded as essential reference books. A slipcase is the right way to store them, and we felt it was important to honor Bobby’s collection in that way,” Mihovetz said. Rare and outstanding 1930s Beacon Ethyl Gasoline (Caminol Co., Los Angeles) single-sided…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    There was summertime fun for all at Morphy’s $1.3M Toys & General Collectibles auction

    Highlights: 1976 Topps football rack box with 24 packs of trading cards, $24,600; boxed Japanese Space Refuel Station, $11,070; boxed first-issue brunette Barbie #1, $10,455 DENVER, Pa. – Classic toys and pop culture favorites joined forces to deliver a $1.3 million result at Morphy’s August 2-3 auction, which offered “something to please everyone.” The all-encompassing Toys & General Collectibles sale ran the gamut from antique mechanical banks and dolls to fast-rising categories that are making waves in the marketplace, like vintage sports cards. Morphy’s has been on everyone’s radar in the sports card hobby ever since the Pennsylvania company sold a Topps baseball wax-pack brick for $873,300 last February. Their summer auction lineup, which strived for bidder inclusion at all price points, included 55 lots of cards, rack packs, cello and wax packs plus boxes representing some of the all-time greatest professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey players and teams.  Extremely rare BBCE-authenticated 1976 Topps football rack box containing 24 packs of trading cards with images of star athletes, including Fran Tarkenton, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and many more. Sold within estimate for $24,600 The top seller ended up being an extremely rare, unopened 1976 Topps football rack box containing 24 pristine packs of trading cards. The packs featured images of star athletes of the period, including Fran Tarkenton, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Bubba Smith, Mel Blount and many others. The 1976 Topps set is also known to include rookie cards of the Chicago Bears’ legendary Hall of Famer Walter “Sweetness” Payton. BBCE-authenticated, the coveted box sold within its estimate range for $24,600.  Dozens of high-quality cast-iron mechanical banks crossed the auction block, including many made by J & E Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut. Leading the group was an appealing Stevens Elephant and Three Clowns bank with rich original paint. The circa-1882 production in near-mint condition sold for $13,530 against a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. Sci-fi fans had their eyes on a battery-operated tin-litho Space Refuel Station marked “Waco Made in Japan.” An elusive toy, especially when complete with its original satellite, jet plane and rocket accessories, it even retained its original…

  • Auction Result, Press Release
    Morphy’s July 19-20 Automobilia & Petroliana auction crosses the finish line at an impressive $2.3M

    Fresh-to-market Sinclair Aircraft porcelain service station sign with unbeatable airplane graphic was airborne at $62,400 DENVER, Pa. – Led by an enviable array of rare advertising signs, gas pumps, globes and early service station and motoring accessories, Morphy Auctions July 19-20 Automobilia & Petroliana auction attracted bidders from coast to coast and cruised to a grand total of $2.3 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. The 1,000-lot sale featured superior-quality consignments from a number of advanced collections, offering bidders a chance to buy elusive pieces at condition levels that would be nearly impossible to improve upon. Outstanding Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain service station sign with airplane graphic. Clean, fresh-to-market example. Condition of each side: 9.0 and 8.9+. Sold within estimate range for $62,400 To no one’s surprise, a clean, fresh-to-the-market Sinclair Aircraft double-sided porcelain service station sign with an early airplane graphic landed in the auction’s #1 slot. Measuring 48 inches in diameter and graded a strong 9.0 and 8.0 on each of its sides, the coveted sign was pursued by not only petroliana collectors but also aviation enthusiasts. Propelled by multiple bidders, it rose to a lofty altitude, settling comfortably within its estimate range at $62,400. Collectors will pay a premium to acquire gasoline signs that are known to be rare, but even more so if they include attractive images of vehicles. A circa-1940s Paragon Gasolene double-sided porcelain sign with a tanker trunk graphic, its sides graded 8.0 and 7.9, respectively, sold for $27,600 against an estimate of $8,000-$16,000. A very scarce Sunset Gasoline & Rainbow Motor Oil double-sided porcelain service station sign depicting a brilliant sunset flanked by images of a speeding car and airplane sold near the top of its estimate range for $24,000.  Neon car dealership signs, especially those in nice original condition, are always in demand as well. The July auction featured an outstanding dual-brand Cadillac and Oldsmobile die-cut porcelain neon sign with its correct bullnose attachment. A major statement piece measuring 82 by 108 inches and graded 8.75+ condition, it sold above high estimate for $25,200. A gleaming lineup of more than 160 gas pump…

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Morphy’s Aug. 2-3 Toys & General Collectibles Auction merges antique and vintage classics with in-demand pop-culture categories

    Featured: Vintage sports cards and unopened Topps wax packs, early video games and consoles, comics, 1950s gumball-vending robot, 8ft tall Gort figure, vehicular toys, dolls, banks, trains DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s spring toy auction, which took in $3.1 million, made headlines worldwide with its phenomenal single-owner collection of factory-boxed Star Wars figures and a sports card selection that included an $873,300 Topps baseball wax-pack brick. No other event in Morphy’s 20-year history could top that one for the amount of social media buzz or the number of pre-sale inquiries from prospective bidders. The fun will resume on August 2-3, when Morphy’s presents its summer offering of Toys & General Collectibles featuring both classic toys and pop-culture favorites: vintage sports cards, comic books and early video games. “We wanted to offer variety in this sale – something to please everyone – and to include collectibles categories that are in high demand and still growing,” said Tommy Sage, Head of Morphy’s Toys & Trains department.  Extremely scarce 1950s gumball-vending robot, Italian, stands 55½in tall. Working coin mechanism. Estimate $10,000-$15,000 Several coveted video games from the mid-1990s through early 2000s will be on deck and waiting to level up. Pokemon highlights include a Nintendo Game Boy Red Version from 1998, WATA-graded 8.0 A+ Sealed, and estimated at $10,000-$15,000; and a Nintendo Game Boy Advance Leafgreen Version from 2004, which is WATA-graded 9.4 and estimated at $5,000-$10,000. A rare and extremely important title, a 1966 Nintendo Super Mario 64, WATA-graded 9.4 A+ Sealed, is entered with a $6,000-$9,000 estimate. A nice lineup of consoles and game systems will be auctioned, including a Sony PlayStation 2, $700-$900; and Mattel Intellivision II, $500-$800 – both sealed in their original boxes – and other boxed examples from Sony, Sega (Genesis) and ColecoVision (with a bonus Donkey Kong cartridge). Fifty-five lots of vintage sports cards, rack packs, wax packs and boxes; and cello packs and boxes represent some of the all-time greatest professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey players and teams. An unopened BBCE-authenticated Topps NHL Hockey wax box from 1971 contains 24 packs of 10 cards each.…