Morphy Auctions’ March Premier Advertising Sales Event Was the Talk of the Town, Realizing Almost $700,000!

This two-day auction featured a full spectrum of antique advertising signs, displays, samples, and ephemera from the most desirable collecting categories.

Denver, Pennsylvania, March 28, 2017 – Morphy Auctions, the finest auction destination for fresh to the market collections, held its early spring antique advertising sale event on March 18th and 19th.  Almost 1,000 eye-catching and carefully curated lots were on offer.  After the last hammer fell, 24 lots made $2,500 – $5,000; 7 lots made $5,001-$9,999; and 7 lots made prime time at $10,000 or more.  Prices noted include Morphy’s 23% buyer’s premium.

This auction tempted collectors with a broad offering of salesman’s samples and display cabinets.   Lot #214, a circa 1929 Coca-Cola double Glasscock salesman’s sample cooler, was the best of all worlds here.   This exceptionally rare example featured twin hinged top lids, zinc interior compartments, original advertising panels, a side bottle opener, and caster feet and included its complete, seldom seen black canvas covered wood carrying case.  It was the sale’s top lot, realizing a refreshing $17,835.

This sale’s fantastic selections of antique beverage themed tin litho accessories clearly tested collector’s mettle.  Two trays from the now closed Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola in Elizabethtown, KY carried this category.  The first, lot #117, a 1903 Coca-Cola bottle 5¢ tip tray made by Chas. W. Shonk, realized $17,220.  This eye catching example, difficult to find in any condition, is decorated with an early paper label Coca-Cola bottle.  The second, lot #135, a distinctly feminine 1901 Coca-Cola 5¢ serving tray made by Meek & Beach Co., flirted its way to $11,685, almost three times its low estimate.  It features a beautiful girl, pink roses, and a large pink ribbon as part of its illustration. Other rare and unusual advertising ephemera also sparked a few cola wars amongst bidders.  Lot #258, an extremely rare four sized 1909 Pepsi-Cola tin litho straw holder made $9,225, while lot #171, a 1912 tin litho Coca-Cola peppermint pepsin gum pack realized $4,613.

This sale offered a most satisfying collection of almost 75 beverage syrup dispensers, representing both global as well as lesser known regional brands.  Lot #417, a museum quality, baseball-themed Fan-Taz dispenser hit it out of the park, realizing $15,990.  And lot #390, an Indian Rock Ginger Ale syrup dispenser with great graphics, strong colors, and its original and marked ball pump nearly tripled its low estimate, making a solid $17,220.

Collectors also were hanging all over this auction’s comprehensive collection of reverse painted, porcelain, and illuminated antique advertising signage.  Lot #2, an Anheuser Busch Faust electrified sign made by The P. Pause & Company from Chicago, lit the lamp at $12,300.  Another headliner here was lot #817, an all original Indian Lake, Ohio diecut porcelain sign featuring an Indian in full headdress.  One of only a few known, it made $11,685.  And there was no looking back on lot #816, a very unique Ranchmen’s Trust Co. reverse painted sign featuring a colorful image of a bull in the top center with an elaborate gold leaf decoration surrounding it.  This great piece, made by the Rawson & Evans Co. from Chicago, sold for $9,840.

According to Dan Morphy, President of Morphy Auctions, “It was a pleasure to offer these great antique advertising examples to our worldwide base of collectors and customers.  As with any auction, there are always surprises, as well as bargains to be had.  The Indian Rock Ginger Ale syrup dispenser caught my eye – and clearly the interest of a number of other collectors as well!  Our next antique advertising auction is scheduled for August 26, 2017 and we are already accepting fine consignments for this event.  Please see our website at www.morphyauctions.com for more information.”

About Morphy Auctions:
Morphy Auctions, the finest auction destination for fresh to the market collectibles, is headquartered in Denver, PA. The company also has a satellite office in Las Vegas, NV. A full-service auction house, Morphy’s presents over 35 premier auctions annually. The company’s three-part mission includes ensuring consignor satisfaction with every auction, offering world-class customer service that goes above and beyond the call of duty, and providing relentless buyer support to create confidence for all clients seeking a trustworthy purchasing experience.

Morphy’s team of specialists includes the nation’s finest and most recognized experts in popular collecting categories including advertising; firearms; fine automobiles, automobilia and petroliana; coin-operated machines; antiques, fine, and decorative art; dolls, bears, toys, and trains; cast iron; coins; marbles; jewelry and wrist watches. Morphy Auctions is owned by President and Founder Dan Morphy, himself a lifelong and passionate collector of antiques, banks, and numerous other categories.  Morphy’s has been in business since 2004 and has grown from two to over 65 employees in over a decade.

Morphy Auctions is located at 2000 North Reading Road, Denver, PA 17517.  We can be reached by phone at 717-335-3435, by fax at 717-336-7115, and by email at info@morphyauctions.com.  Morphy Auctions is open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm.  For more information on Morphy’s, please visit www.MorphyAuctions.com.

Media Contact:

Sarah Stoltzfus

Director, Marketing

Morphy Auctions
877-968-8880 x710

Sarah.Stoltzfus@morphyauctions.com

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