Morphy’s Discovery Auction debut tops $100K

DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy’s Discovery Auction debut held March 16, 2010, was a solid winner, grossing $125,000, inclusive of buyer’s premium. More than 100 bidders participated in person at Morphy’s gallery, with a staggering 1,000+ additional bidders taking part via the Internet.

Leading the prices realized was a Dr. Lesure’s veterinary cabinet, which sold for $4,025. Another strong advertising lot was the Overholt Whiskey sign that made $1,955. With crossover interest from toy and holiday collectors, a Christmas toy banner made $1,725.

Leading the cast-iron mechanical banks was a Bulldog bank, $3,450; followed by a baseball-themed Darktown Battery, $2,300.

Top toy lots included a Bing submarine, $1,725; Chein Crazy Cat scooter, $978; and a marble lot that finished at $1,725. A Simon & Halbig doll found a new owner for $1,380.

Yet another notable entry was the Topsy blinking-eye clock featuring a smiling African-American girl as its central figure. It ticked to a closing price of $1,610.

“I was very pleased with the results achieved in our first-ever Discovery Auction,” said Morphy’s CEO, Dan Morphy. “It’s exciting to us that bidders have embraced this new series of auctions, and on the other side of the coin, consignors really like the idea of a quick turnaround time between consignment and payout.”