Morphy’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

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 (Cut Bank, Montana). The formidable beast was depicted standing on two legs, his mouth agape, on a double-sided tombstone-shape tin sign with the message “Perfect Powerful Performance / Watch your Miles.” The tagline “Dubbs Cracked,” referring to the process used by Grizzly to produce its gasoline, also appeared on the colorful 35-inch by 24-inch advert. With both sides graded 7.5, this coveted sign roared past its $6,000-$12,000 estimate to reach $25,830.

Neon lit up the room, with two signs, in particular, commanding special attention. A complete GMC Trucks porcelain neon sign with its original bullnose attachment was composed of two single-sided porcelain signs mounted back-to-back on a metal can. An imposing 82 inches wide by 44 inches high by 14 inches deep, it was graded 80 on its front and 84 on the reverse. It garnered $23,370 against a $6,000-$12,000 estimate. An excellent single-sided porcelain Mobiloil Marine advertising sign with a Pegasus graphic and attractive added neon was mounted to a newly-made metal can. Described in the catalog as having an outstanding presentation overall, it sold for $17,220 against a $4,000-$6,000 estimate.

Other notable advertising included a circa-1930s double-sided porcelain Ford V-8 “GENUINE PARTS” die-cut sign, graded 9.25 on both sides, which sold for $22,140 against a $5,000-$10,000 estimate; and a circa-1950s single-sided tin sign advertising Pennzoil with an appealing image of an adult owl teaching two owlets to “be OIL-WISE.” Exhibiting excellent color and shine, it flew to $11,685 against an estimate of $800-$1,600.

A beautiful selection of 77 gas globes and lenses formed an artful subcategory from which to choose. One of the standouts was a 1950s gas globe lens from Salyer’s Stay-Ready Gasoline, a product of Salyer Refining Co, Oklahoma City. The well-executed graphic depicted a woman flying on a duck’s back, accompanied by the tagline “BALANCED FORMULA.” Graded 93, it outperformed, fetching an above-high-estimate price of $24,600. Also gas-pump-related, a rare Ford Benzol Gasoline porcelain pump-plate sign soared to $14,760 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.

More than two dozen vintage petroleum-product cans crossed the auction block. A sought-after entry from the group was a rare circa-1950s Sooner Queen Motor Oils (Salyer Refining Co., Oklahoma City) 1-quart can imprinted with a 35¢ price and displaying the image of a cowgirl beside a campfire. With a clean seam and full contents, the container was AGS-certified and graded 85. It sold above high estimate for $6,150.

Morphy Auctions’ president and principal auctioneer, Dan Morphy, expressed his pleasure over the day’s results. “The sale was very heavily attended, as our October sales usually are, and there was a very positive buzz in the air because everyone was excited about the nearby Hershey show, which opened two days later,” he said. “There were more than 100 unique buyers, including a dozen or so new buyers at higher levels. All in all, it was a very successful sale.”

To discuss consigning to a future Automobilia & Petroliana auction at Morphy’s, call 877-968-8880, email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.