Join 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

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 condition and offered with its keys, the unit’s pre-sale estimate is $12,000-$24,000.

The smartest equine in the saleroom is sure to be the amusing central figure seen in Mike Gorski’s recreation of a circa-1892 Roovers Bros “Educated Donkey” machine. As the sign on this delightful 79-inch-tall arcade amusement states, the “Donkey Wonder Will Solve Your Problems,” referring to the donkey automaton who turns a ship’s helm to select a number and dispense a fortune, all for the bargain price of a penny. In Excellent condition with keys included, the machine is expected to reach a winning bid of $10,000-$20,000. 

The auction room will glow with the warm beauty of vintage neon, as seen in a circa-1930s Poll Parrot Shoes single-sided porcelain sign. It is impossible not to be drawn to its fantastic image of the footwear brand’s parrot mascot, which is depicted in a vibrant palette of red, green and yellow. In exceptional 9.5+ condition, the 43- by 14- by 59-inch sign is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

Breweriana collectors would appreciate the unique “extras” on a circa-1940s two-piece Budweiser porcelain neon marquee sign, which has attached “privilege” panels. Each is marked “J Garavaglia,” presumably the name of the proprietor of a bar or other establishment that served Budweiser beer. Composed of two single signs hinged together – each graded 8.9 out of 10 – this showy marquee requires no apologies for its condition. Both its cans are excellent with absolutely no signs of rust or rot. Maker-marked “Kirk Signs” and measuring 113 inches wide, it is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

A fantastic John Deere Plows single-sided tin sign, made circa 1910s, depicts the brand’s leaping-deer logo against a smaltz-painted background. With an early, naïve look that collectors love, it is marked on verso “John Deere Plow Co. Kansas City, MO” and “A.H. Lewellen. Dewitt, MO.” Wood framed, it also has reinforcement wood on its back side. This large (144 inches wide), extremely impressive piece comes from the lifetime collection of Rich and Sharon Penn and is estimated at $40,000-$70,000.

Another high-quality entry from the Penn collection is a stunningly beautiful circa 1910s-1920s reverse-glass corner sign advertising Round Oak Stoves, Ranges and Furnaces. It is graced by a Native American portrait graphic within an oak-leaf cartouche and is further enhanced by backlit lighting. It also retains its original metal-frame border and metal backing that would have enabled it to be affixed to the corner of store shelving or perhaps a building. In 9.0 condition, it comes to auction with an $8,000-$16,000 estimate.

As visually exciting today as it was more than a century ago, a circa-1910s “Corner Drug Store” leaded-glass light is formed as a highly-decorative mortar and pestle. Its very attractive design has a multicolored “jeweled” center and the words “Cigars” and “Prescriptions” around the bottom. All panels display strong colors, especially when illuminated by its internal fluorescent bulb. It is also equipped with a modern power cord. The sign’s height to the top of the pestle is 43 inches, and its condition is graded 8.9. With provenance from the Rich and Sharon Penn collection, it is estimated at $15,000-$30,000

The motoring section includes three rare and remarkable vehicles, the first being a 1930 Cadillac “Bevo Boat” manufactured for Anheuser-Busch for promotional purposes and named for its non-alcoholic beverage, Bevo. It is believed to be the only survivor of eight that were in the original fleet, each designed as an inboard-style cruiser on an automobile chassis. Finely appointed with leather upholstery, thick carpets, fine woods, and even a radio, the Bevo Boat has an illustrious line of provenance that began with Anheuser-Busch brewery division sales manager Jimmy Carroll Jr. Subsequent ownership included: the James Pearson collection; Fred and David Weber Jr; and Greg R Rhomberg. Restored and offered as is with no title, it is estimated at $50,000-$150,000. 

The second vehicle in the featured trio is a circa-1927 Ahrens-Fox (Cincinnati, Ohio) Model MX-4 triple-combination pumping fire engine, Serial No. 1314. Wonderfully restored with all the gear and appointments that were built with the engine, it is painted and labeled for the Bristol Fire Department. Operational and truly museum-quality, it will be auctioned as is with no title. Memo: the unit is currently located in St. Louis, Missouri. Estimate: $50,000-$150,000

And finally, some lucky bidder will be able to relive their peace-and-love days in a circa-1960 Volkswagen Westfalia camper, a conversion of the Volkswagen Type 1 sold from the early 1950s to 2003. It is fitted with: standard birch plywood interior panels, laminated plywood cabinetry for storage, an icebox or cold-box; a sink, water storage and a pump; electrical hookups, seating that folds out for sleeping, and more. This restored camper has a 4-cylinder standard transmission and an odometer reading of 6,598 miles. Offered as is with no title, it is estimated at $20,000-$60,000.

The December 5-7, 2024 auction will be held live at Morphy’s satellite gallery located at 4520 Arville St., #1, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103. Start time is 9am Pacific time (12 noon Eastern time). Preview Monday through Wednesday, December 2-4 from 9am-4pm local time; or on auction days from 8-9am. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone (please reserve line in advance), or live via the Internet through Morphy Live. For condition reports or other questions, call tollfree 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. Online: https://www.morphyauctions.com.