ADVERTISING
Mike OskieraMike Oskiera joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its advertising consultant in June of 2005. He specializes in a wide range of advertising: trays, tins, signs, posters, calendars, displays, country store, etc. His primary duties are to appraise and provide catalog descriptions. Mike also helps to promote Dan Morphy Auctions through personal contacts, business transactions and attending various antique shows throughout the year.
He has been collecting and dealing in vintage advertising since 1990. Mike is an active dealer who sets up at several venues each year, including Atlantique City, the Indianapolis Advertising Show, Dan Morphy's York Show and others. Mike has been a frequent visitor to the gallery since it opened in 1997, and he still comes to visit every Sunday. Dan Morphy Auctions is proud to have Mike as a part of the team.
BISCUIT TINS
Catherine Saunders-WatsonCatherine Saunders-Watson is best known for her contributions to antiques publishing over the past 22 years, serving as editor-in-chief at no fewer than four international publications serving the antiques trade. She began her career in antiques journalism as Collectibles columnist with the Times of London group. "It was completely serendipitous," she recalled. "They wanted to do a feature on my antique toy collection, but I knew they'd never understand it as well as the actual collector would, so I asked to do the writing myself." It led to a syndicated column with the newspaper group, a move to the United States in 1990, and the launch of several antiques-related businesses, including The Butler Did It, which specialized in British figural biscuit and sweets tins, and other primarily British antiques. Soon Catherine was doing a roaring trade in biscuit tins, traveling regularly to the U.K. on buying trips and selling them to an unexpectedly large number of U.S.-based collectors. "It got to a point where I didn't even print sales lists anymore; the tins were spoken for before I even returned home."
Over the years Catherine has bought and sold some of the rarest antique biscuit and sweets tins, and has served as an expert consultant to private collectors and corporations. She has remained firmly entrenched in antiques journalism, currently serving as editor-in-chief of AuctionCentralNews.com. Her PR firm, British-American Media Ltd., represents Morphy Auctions' publicity and public relations interests. Catherine is a member of the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association and the Antique Advertising Association of America. In 2005 she co-authored the book The Vendue Masters, a documentation of the auction business in America that was reviewed in The New York Times. Her philanthropy has been recognized by several institutions, including Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, which named her a Mark Francis Fellow in 2006. Catherine is regarded as one of the top authorities in biscuit tins and provides her cataloging services for this specialty exclusively to Dan Morphy Auctions. It is a pleasure to have Catherine on Dan Morphy Auctions' team.
COIN-OP & GAMBLING MACHINES
Bob LevyOne of the country's most respected dealers of early gambling and mechanical slot machines, Bob Levy, has joined Dan Morphy Auctions' team of specialists and will head a new department specifically for coin-operated gambling machines and related devices.
Widely regarded as a top expert in his field, Levy continues to operate his long-established business - The Unique One - from a showroom in Pennsauken, N.J., and through a Web site he has maintained since 1997, antiqueslotmachines.com. He will now also be managing all aspects of the consignment, cataloging and sale of coin-operated gambling devices auctioned through Morphy's.
"I'm thrilled to be associated with Morphy's," Levy said. "I just turned 65 and was looking toward the next phase of working and enjoying life when Dan presented the perfect transition to me. I'll be doing less moving of heavy items, now, but still working with wonderful things, through someone I admire. In the past, I had bought at all of Dan's auctions and visited his Adamstown Antique Gallery every time I was in south-central Pennsylvania. Dan impressed me as the person I would want to have handling my own collection if I were to sell. Now I'll be representing him, and I couldn't be happier.
"Bob Levy was born in Philadelphia, graduated from Atlantic City High School in New Jersey, and went on to earn bachelor of arts degrees in both Business Management and Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Following a career in sales in the wholesale tea and coffee business, and after having founded his own successful company called "Coffee One," Levy became enamored of antiques and started selling through co-ops and group shops in Smithville, Rancocas and Medford, N.J.
In 1989, an unexpected opportunity presented itself and changed the course of Levy's career in antiques. "I had traveled to Arizona to look at an old Lincoln automobile I was thinking about buying, and happened to notice a slot machine in a pawn shop window. It was a 1964 Art Deco-style Harrah's Club machine," Levy recalled. "I had never seen an antique slot machine before but loved the look of it, so I bought it and shipped it home.
"Shortly thereafter, Levy learned of an auction of pinballs, jukeboxes and slot machines that was to take place at a firehouse in Skippack, Pa. "I went and bought three slot machines and put them in my booth at the group shop," Levy said. "That started me on the path to buying and collecting slot machines, and to become focused on just that one specialty.
"Levy - who is known within the trade as "the slot machine guy" - has sold to customers throughout the United States as well as France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. He sets up his slot machines at eight to 10 major antique shows per year and has crossed the country many times in pursuit of rare examples.
"It would be the exception rather than the rule to encounter a serious collector of gambling machines who has not either met or transacted business with Bob Levy," said Dan Morphy Auctions' CEO, Dan Morphy. "I have known Bob for over 20 years, and he is not only one of the most knowledgeable dealers in his specialty but also one of the nicest and most ethical individuals I have ever met. He brings to Morphy Auctions a reputation of honesty and integrity that is an exact fit for our business model. He is a tremendous asset to our team of specialists, and I'm extremely pleased about his decision to join us."
DOLLS
Jan & Howard FoulkeJan and Howard Foulke joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as doll consultants in January of 2009. Their primary duties are to gather consignments, provide catalog descriptions and represent Dan Morphy Auctions at doll shows around the country.
Both Jan and Howard had "antiqued" as a hobby. In 1972, they decided to open a small antique shop because of Jan's curiosity about the history of old dolls. Gradually, the stock in their antique shop evolved into a specialty: antique dolls. At this point, they realized there was a need for more accurate and reliable doll information, and their writing and photography careers began.
Jan Foulke has written and Howard Foulke has done the photography for the following books: Kestner, King of Dollmakers; Simon & Halbig Dolls, Doll Classics, Focusing on Dolls, Effanbee Composition Dolls, Treasury of Madame Alexander Dolls, Gebruder Heubach Dolls, China Doll Collecting, German "Dolly" Collecting and Doll Buying and Selling. Jan has been a regular contributor to Doll Reader® magazine for 33 years. Her current column is the popular "Antique Q&A."
The name Jan Foulke is synonymous with accurate doll information. As the author of 16 editions of the Blue Book of Dolls & Values®, she is the most quoted source in her field of specialty and is the most respected and recognized authority on dolls and doll prices in the world.
The Foulkes are a sought-after source in the doll hobby, and Dan Morphy Auctions is proud that they are part of the team.
EPHEMERA
Mike LandisMike Landis joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as an employee in May of 2006. Mike specializes in paper and ephemera, and both he and his wife are active in the industry, both in buying and selling. His primary duties are to gather consignments for the company, provide catalog descriptions, condition reports and appraisals on paper-related consignments; display and coordinate auction items in the gallery, respond to questions e-mailed by customers, and represent Dan Morphy Auctions at shows around the country.
The business and history of antiques have kept Mike involved and interested in many aspects of the industry and took him on a journey through various categories of collectibles before he finally settled on paper and ephemera. He has been involved in the antiques industry for 30+ years and will continue to collect, buy and sell for years to come. We are proud to have Mike as a part of the Dan Morphy Auctions team, and hope you will look for him at upcoming shows.
FIGURAL CAST IRON
John & Nancy SmithJohn and Nancy Smith joined Dan Morphy Auctions in the spring of 2004 as our figural cast iron consultants. As widely recognized authorities on doorstops and figural cast iron, they provide the catalog descriptions on much of the figural cast iron offered in sales conducted by Dan Morphy Auctions.
John and Nancy are the authors of The Doorstop Book - An Encyclopedia of Doorstop Collecting, and have been avid collectors of cast iron, folk art and country Americana for more than 35 years. As dealers trading under the name "American Sampler," they have appeared at major antique shows since 1971 and are always available to answer any questions concerning Dan Morphy Auctions and consignments. John is the founder of the Figural Cast Iron Collectors Club, and both he and Nancy have been members of the Still Bank Collectors Club of America since 1971. Based in Barnesville, Md., John and Nancy are busy exhibiting at shows, updating their Web site, and gathering consignments Dan Morphy Auctions. Dan Morphy Auctions is pleased to have this dynamic duo as a part of the team.
GENERAL ANTIQUES/ HOLIDAY
John Morphy, M.D.Dr. John Morphy, a retired physician, was part of the Morphy team long before "the team" ever existed. As the father of Dan Morphy Auctions' CEO, Dan Morphy, Dr. Morphy was the guiding force who sparked and nurtured Dan's interest in the antiques industry. With his knowledge and appreciation of antiques, "Doc," as he is known to one and all, was Dan's most important influence and a constant source of encouragement to his son as he ventured into antiques as a profession.
Dr. Morphy's primary duties are to provide catalog descriptions and condition reports, appraise goods and assist with the shipping of items purchased at auction. His expertise developed over 35+ years in the industry and includes, but is not limited to, art glass, fine art, antique toys, country store, holiday and general antiques. He also represents Dan Morphy Auctions at many shows across the country. Dr. Morphy is an integral part of the day-to-day operations at the gallery, and in his free time he is still buys, sells and collects the antiques he has grown to love.
MARBLES
Brian EsteppBrian Estepp joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its marble consultant in 2009. His primary duties are to gather consignments for the company, with his specialty being marbles, among other things. Brian also represents Dan Morphy Auctions at shows around the country and provides catalog descriptions and valuations on marbles in all Morphy sales.
Brian is well known to marble collectors and has a superb reputation for quality and honesty. Dan Morphy Auctions is pleased to have Brian as part of the team. Watch for him at shows around the country.
MECHANICAL BANKS
Dan MorphyDan Morphy, owner and chief executive officer of Dan Morphy Auctions and founder of the Adamstown Antique Gallery in Denver, Pa., also acts as the mechanical and still bank specialist for the company.
Dan grew up in a family of avid collectors, with his retired physician father, John Morphy Sr., and his mother, Janet, constantly encouraging the appreciation of antiques in the home and fostering a love of collecting among their children. "I grew up around antiques and attended many shows and auctions with my dad at a very early age," Dan said. At the age of 10, Morphy started buying still banks through the mail. Within a few years, he was both buying and selling mechanical banks through various sources and meeting collectors who are now among the most revered in the hobby. And while he has bought, sold and collected 30 to 40 different types of antiques over the years, Morphy says it is mechanical banks that have consistently held his fascination.
Dan is deeply invested in the day-to-day operations of Dan Morphy Auctions and the antiques industry, and also supports and belongs to many collector clubs. His exceptional knowledge and experience with mechanical banks was shared with the hobby worldwide through the writing and publication of Dan Morphy's Price Guide to Mechanical Banks, which is considered the premier reference in its category.
MUSIC BOXES/ PHONOGRAPHS
Lester Ruhl
Lester Ruhl joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its music box/phonograph consultant in 2004. His primary duties are to provide catalog descriptions and conditions; perform appraisals and recommend consignments of music boxes and phonograph-related items.
Although Lester is retired from the collecting and selling end of the business, he has a deeply rooted history in the industry, dating to early childhood. As a young boy, he attended auctions with his mother, which ignited his interest in antiques. In the late 1950s, Lester purchased his first Edison. In the 1960s, he started dealing and collecting at a serious level. He attended music box shows for years and earned a reputation as a respected expert in the antique music category. Lester has a stellar track record and has been a fabulous addition to the Dan Morphy Auctions team.
NAPKIN RINGS
Sandra WhitsonSandra Whitson joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its figural napkin ring consultant in December of 2004. Her primary duties are to provide catalog descriptions and conditions, and to provide appraisals on napkin rings. While she is thoroughly knowledgeable in the category as a whole, she has a particular specialty in American Victorian figural napkin rings.
Sandra has been actively involved in the antiques world throughout her life. She started antiquing at two years old with her dad, Frank Whitson, a renowned toy dealer from Baltimore. Although she loves everything about antiques, she found her niche in the specialty of figural napkin rings. She is married to antique dealer Ron Van Anda, and they both work full time traveling and setting up at various antique shows across the country. Sandra is well known within the antiques business. Her expertise has been well showcased in the two reference books she co-authored, as well as the many articles she has written for various periodicals. Additionally, she is a popular speaker on the subject of figural napkin rings. Dan Morphy Auctions is pleased to have Sandra as a part of the team.
PRESSED STEEL/ PEDAL CARS
Tom HathazyTom Hathazy joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team in the winter of 2005 as our pressed steel/pedal car consultant. Tom came highly recommended because of his extensive knowledge of Sturditoy, Buddy ‘L,' Steelcraft, Sonny, Kingsbury and Keystone are obvious from the professional catalog descriptions, conditions and appraisals he provides for our pressed-steel items.
Tom's interest in antiques started with his love of antique cars. He had already been an active collector and hobbyist for more than 20 years when he purchased his first piece of pressed steel in the mid-1980s at the Hershey Car Show. Tom was a history teacher whose love of the past turned to the history of the pressed-steel toy companies. His experience with antique car paint restoration and non-original parts became the foundation for his understanding of pressed-steel toys. Over the years he had amassed such an extensive collection that he became active in the business and enjoys bringing new collectors into the hobby to share his love of antiques. Morphy's is pleased to have Tom as a part of the team.
RIFLES/FIREARMS
Stephen HenchStephen Hench joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its rifle and firearms consultant in the spring of 2006. His expertise includes but is not limited to Kentucky long rifles, Colonial period arms, and American furniture from the Colonial and Federal period. Steve's primary functions are to provide catalog descriptions and valuations on all gun-related items, specifically Kentucky long rifles and Colonial period arms.
Steve's journey at Dan Morphy Auctions started with a case rental from the gallery and expanded to cataloging and promoting gun-related auction items at specialty shows. Steve is no stranger to the antiques industry, since he started collecting at a very young age after purchasing his first firearm for $15 – a fine-condition Springfield 1863 musket. After realizing the long rifle market's need for restoration and resale opportunities, Steve – then a high school English teacher – started buying and selling high-quality guns and antiques as a hobby. Over the years he has refined his collection by adhering to the credo "keep the best and sell the rest." Steve has been a member of the Kentucky Rifle Association since 1967. For a number of years he served on the KRA's board of directors. Currently he is an active member of the Kentucky Rifle Foundation and works at fundraising for the Kentucky Rifle Association. Steve also belongs to the New England Antique Arms Society and is a life member of the Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collectors Association and the National Rifle Association. He was recently accepted into to the American Society of Arms Collectors and is also working on a book for the Kentucky Rifle Association. Steve has done appraisals for many people, but his most memorable appraisal was for the late Andrew Wyeth. Steve is a published consultant with an impressive history and stellar reputation in the industry. Dan Morphy Auctions is proud to have Steve as a part of the team.
SODA POP/ COCA-COLA/ ADVERTISING
Gary & Mary Pat MetzGary and Mary Pat Metz joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as advertising consultants in May of 2006. Their primary duties are to gather consignments for the company, with their specialty being in advertising, country store, soda fountain, soda pop, and Coca-Cola. Gary and Mary Pat represent Dan Morphy Auctions at shows around the country, and at the gallery, Gary provides catalog descriptions on much of the advertising material in each sale.
Since 1988, Gary has been a full-time dealer in the aforementioned categories, and more. In 1991 he established his own auction firm, Muddy River Trading Co., and later, Metz Superlatives Auction, which operated until April of 2006. During his 16+ years in the auction business, he was based in Roanoke, Va., and produced 29 catalog auctions, selling more than $15 million in merchandise for hundreds of satisfied consignors.
In 2000, his wife Mary Pat joined him full time in the business. They remain active, highly respected icons of the antiques industry. While they continue to be based in Roanoke, this well-liked couple is an important part of the Dan Morphy Auctions team.
LAMPS
Bob HaslbeckBob Haslbeck joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team in winter of 2004 as our Tiffany and fine lamp consultant. Bob has a great reputation in the antiques world as an honest and trustworthy appraiser of quality lamps, including those designed by Tiffany Studios. His primary duties are to gather consignments for the company by acting as a liaison between the consignor and Morphy's, to provide catalog descriptions and valuations, and to assist in the distribution of Morphy brochures and catalogs at various shows.
Bob grew up in the antiques trade, in a family that loved antiques. He brings more than 25 years of experience to Morphy's and is a sought-after expert who works behind the scenes at many of our auction events. Still active in the business, Bob will continue to uphold his impeccable reputation for years to come. Dan Morphy Auctions is pleased to have Bob as a part of its decorative arts team.
TOYS/ TRAINS/ SPORTS MEMORABILIA
Tommy SageTommy Sage joined forces with Dan Morphy in 2004 to establish Morphy Auctions. Tommy is well known in the industry for his expertise in toys, trains and sports memorabilia. His primary duties are to act as chief operating officer of Dan Morphy Auctions, to gather consignments, provide catalog descriptions, and to represent Dan Morphy Auctions at various shows around the world.
Tommy grew up in the antiques trade and attended his first show with his father at the age of six, started selling trains at the age of 12 and ran his first antique shop in the Poconos at the age of 16. It's not surprising that the younger Sage was attracted to the antiques trade at an early age. He recalls, "I was exposed to the business through my father, a long-time dealer, and was able to learn what collectors wanted, how to find it, and who to sell it to." In the 1980s, Tommy relocated to the Adamstown, Pa., area to continue his pursuit of the antiques business. He is now an integral part of Dan Morphy Auctions and brings vast knowledge and experience to the forefront of the company's daily operations.
TRAINS
Ken Post
Dealer, collector and TCA member Ken Post joined the Dan Morphy Auctions team as its toy train consultant in November of 2008. Ken's primary duties are to gather train consignments, provide catalog descriptions and represent Dan Morphy Auctions at train shows and conventions.
Ken Post grew up in the antiques trade. Both his parents were dealers, and by learning from them, he established his own collectible toy and train business at age 15. "Buying and selling antique trains and toys is the only job I've ever had," Post said. "There have been many memorable milestones in my career, but I've always been in pursuit of something more. Bringing trains to the forefront at a company like Dan Morphy Auctions is very exciting."