Despite the freezing temperatures outside, Morphy's standing-room-only sales event had collectors on fire during the Jan. 9 and 10 auction featuring 1,180 lots of oil and gas related signs, globes, and pumps. The second of four large sales of automobilia and petroliana from the Kyle Moore collection totaled $4.4 million. The first sale was held on Oct. 5 and consisted of 800 lots. Morphy’s reported that sale totaled roughly the same amount, which would put the first half of the collection having sold for a total of $8.8 million (the third Kyle Moore collection sale will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24).
Bidding was fast and furious, and included a huge number of phone and Internet bids from all over the world. This sale was one for the records. Lot 325, a Smith-o-Lene Aviation Brand gasoline sign with airplane graphics (estimated at $40,000-$60,000) and Lot 130, a Musgo gasoline sign featuring an Indian in full head dress graphics (estimated at $60,000-$100,000) broke the sound barrier to realize a staggering $134,200 and $164,700 respectively. These were the first two times an automobilia and petroliana sign surpassed the six-figure mark at auction.
This auction's selection of car themed signs really towed the line. Those featuring tires seemed to be the wheel-deal with collectors. The rubber hit the road with Lot 148, a Converse Tires "A Mileage Masterpiece" sign (estimated at $8,000-$12,000) which realized $20,740; Lot 242, a Norwalk Tires "8000 Miles" sign (estimated at $15,000-$30,000) which realized $34,160; and Lot 861, a Pullman Agency sign (estimated at $7,500-$15,000) which realized $21,960.
Also popular were signs featuring characters and faces. Lot 828, a rare mounted Oilzum Motor Oils sign featuring a man in a hat (estimated at $30,000-$50,000) caught the eye of a lucky bidder and went on to realize $75,640. Other handsome highlights included Lot 830, a Mohawk Gasoline porcelain sign featuring an Indian (estimated $25,000-$50,000) which realized $46,360; and Lot 928, a Nourse Guaranteed Motor Oil Viking sign (estimated at $10,000-$20,000) which realized a slick $45,750.
Additional signage highlights included Lot 235, a lighthouse shaped Beacon Ethyl Gasoline sign (estimated at $40,000-$60,000) that navigated its way to $85,400. Lot 722, a Texaco Gas Oil internally lighted can sign (estimated at $25,000-$50,000) lit the imagination of collectors to realize $80,520. And it was a bear market for Lot 40, a Gillette Tires "A Bear for Wear" flange sign (estimated at $15,000-$25,000) and Lot 343, a Bruinoil Bruin Gasoline tin flange sign, estimated at $20,000-$40,000. These big bruins both realized $36,600.
The world was at collector's fingertips when it came to this auction's selections of outstanding globes and lenses. Interest was sky high for Lot 379, Rainbow Gasoline Tru-Test Motor Oil lenses (estimated at $5,000-$10,000) which realized $18,910, and Lot 591, Sunset Gasoline lenses (estimated at $10,000-$15,000) which realized $31,720. Lot 274, a Hi-Fly Green Gas lens with plane graphics, more than tripled its low estimate to soar to $35,380. And Lot 192, a Texaco Motor Oil & Gasoline Fat Globe Body, which was estimated at $15,000-$25,000 and realized $23,180, proved itself a shooting star in this category.
Oil cans and pumps were also key categories in this automobilia and petroliana auction. It was "can do" for Lot 65, a Sinclair Opaline Motor Oil can featuring early graphics. Estimated at $2,000-$4,000, it greased collectors' wheels to realize $7,320. And Lot 97, a Tokheim Model #36 ADC Showcase Computing Pump, really got hearts racing with its $20,000-$40,000 estimate. It realized a high test $32,940.
"This second of four oil and gas sales events featuring the spectacular Kyle Moore collection once again produced extremely impressive sales results with many new enthusiasts participating in the bidding,” said Dan Morphy. “And everyone in attendance seemed to be having such a good time, with the event becoming as much a social event as an auction. It's the type of gathering Morphy's is happy to host.”
For more information, call 717-335-3435 or visit www.MorphyAuctions.com.