High-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

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 in red along the outer border. It has a well-made metal can with new electricals throughout and tabs on its top edge to make the sign easy to hang. This lot has been AGS certified and graded 91, and its pre-sale estimate is $35,000-$75,000.

Also from the Lone Star State, a rare circa-1930s double-sided porcelain sign advertises Texas Pacific Gasoline & Motor Oil Products, which were manufactured by Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Co., of Fort Worth. At its center is an appealing red tepee graphic, overlaid by the letters “TP” and encircled decoratively in a motif suggestive of Native American art. Bright and glossy, its sides are graded 84 and 82, respectively. This visually-compelling 42-inch-diameter sign would be hard to improve upon. Estimate: $30,000-$60,000

Popular petroleum mascots will be crossing the auction block, including the lively Arctic dog who represented Husky Oil Co., of Cody, Wyoming. The excellent double-sided porcelain sign offered by Morphy’s is formed as a shield with the phrase “Husky Service” and the iconic Husky dog leaping playfully against a rising sun as its central graphic. It measures 42 by 48 inches and has been AGS certified with sides graded 89 and 87, respectively. Estimate: $20,000-$40,000

Another endearing mascot is Sinclair’s “Dino” the dinosaur. A highly sought-after circa-1930s double-sided porcelain curb sign advertising Sinclair Pennsylvania Motor Oil is dominated by a well-detailed profile graphic of Dino with the slogan “Mellowed 100 Million Years.” Measuring 24 inches in diameter, the red, white and black sign is AGS certified, with sides graded 90 and 93, respectively. Described in Morphy’s catalog as “an exceptionally clean example,” it comes to auction with a $10,000-$20,000 estimate.

Among the dozens of desirable gas globes and lenses, is the classic every collector wants: a one-piece baked-porcelain globe for Musgo Gasoline (Muskegon, Mich.) with the companies iconic Native American graphic and the slogan “Michigans Mile Marker.” The globe is dated Sept. 17, 1929, and ink-stamped “Made In USA” along the outer collar. An excellent example graded a strong 92, it is expected to sell in the vicinity of $20,000-$30,000.

Also not to be missed is an outstanding 15in-diameter Gilmore Blu-Green Gasoline globe lens with a fantastic, well-detailed six-color graphic of a roaring lion that commands attention. The lens is very clean throughout and is set on a high-profile metal body that has been skillfully repainted. Graded 95, it carries a $10,000-$20,000 estimate. 

Nicely-restored, an Air Scale service station air meter has an especially nice look with its one-piece baked-porcelain globe marked “AIR.” It boasts brilliant color and gloss throughout and has hand-painted lettering that advises patron their tire is filled when the whistle stops. Made by Air Scale Co., Toledo, Ohio, for Brunner Mfg. Co., Utica, NY, this esoteric gas station accessory would enhance even the most advanced petroliana collection. Estimate: $5,000-$10,000

Speaking of “sideshow” items, many gas and oil advertising fans enjoy displaying a specialty collection of oil and other petroleum-product cans. A rarity to be offered on October 6 is an outstanding 1-lb. grease can for Rainbow Lubricant, which was manufactured by True’s Oil Co., Spokane, Washington. Standing 4¼ inches high, it is a fine example with its original lid and a brightly-hued logo that depicts a gas pump and service station attendant filling a car’s tank as the customer looks on. AGS certified and graded 95, its pre-sale estimate is $3,000-$5,000.

An exciting way to carry home one’s purchases from the October 6 auction would be in a 1934 Ford Tudor Sedan, a hotrodder’s delight with an odometer reading of a mere 8,817 miles. Retaining its original sheet metal, it is described as having a 302 H.O. C-4 engine, a 4-inch dropped axle, and disc brakes. It was purchased in 1965 for $50, and its restoration was completed in 1994. The car’s black paint with red and white accents is VG overall, and it has an aftermarket, steering wheel, gas pedal and seating. Mechanically sound, it starts up and runs nicely. Estimate: $10,000-$40,000

The Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 Automobilia & Petroliana Auction will be held live at Morphy’s 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 [email protected]. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.