Americana, antique quilts, antique advertising in Morphy's no-reserve June 15-17 auction On the heels of arecord-setting $2.8 million Spring auction, Morphy's presents fine toys, banks and other figural cast iron, Americana, quilts and antique advertising in a 2,200-lot Summer sale.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions’ June 15-17 no-reserve Summer auction will feature 2,200 lots of antique advertising, toys, Americana, figural cast iron and a 300-piece mechanical bank collection. “The Summer sale, traditionally, includes a great variety of antiques of many types, always with a selection of toys, American and regional primitives and general antiques,” said Morphy Auctions’ chief operating officer, Dan Morphy.
The opening session includes more than 200 lots of antique advertising, including a Remington Arms ammunition sign of an Indian on horseback with a gun, pursuing a buffalo (estimate $15,000-$20,000); an original South Bend Fishing Lures window display ($2,000-$3,000) and a porcelain Brownies sign advertising the Lambertville, N.J., company Snag-Proof Rubber Boots & Shoes ($2,000-$3,000). Early coin-operated machines, approximately 30 in all, include two very desirable vending units – one for Wilbur’s Chocolate and Pepsin Gum, and the other for Chiclets Gum and Stollwerck Chocolate. A single private collection was the source that produced a consignment of more than 50 spool & dye cabinets. Several coveted examples of Dr. Daniels and Dr. Humphreys veterinary cabinets also will be offered, all in their original condition, as will a special collection of early Coca-Cola advertising.
Additional private collections yielded more than 20 music boxes, including a 20in auto-changer and rare Capital Cuff cylinder box; vintage Halloween articles and more than 160 excellent country-store items from a general store that closed over 60 years ago. A highlight of the Thursday session is the Ken Ahlsford reference collection of match-related items. More than 1,000 pieces from this esteemed collection will be auctioned in 80 group lots.
Toys are the focal point of the Friday session. Among the more than 75 tin toys entered in the sale are some 50 early German clockwork toys by Lehmann, Gunthermann and other “golden-era” manufacturers. Also to be auctioned are 50 lunchboxes, more than 50 robots and space toys; 100 or so Disney and comic-related items; and more than 50 pressed-steel vehicles.
There’s a genuine American country feel to the Saturday line-up, which includes more than 100 vintage quilts in spectacular condition, including some fine examples of Baltimore and Lancaster County (Pa.) origin. Primitives include a collection of 20 butter prints and a selection of charming late 19th century Amish soft toys in animal shapes.
The gallery will be filled with the sounds of ticking, as more than 25 clocks – including ornate, porcelain-cased types – are presented. Those seeking turn of the 20th century lighting will not be disappointed. Several exceptional examples have been cataloged, including an 18in Tiffany Studios turtleback lamp.
The cast iron section is well stocked with early mechanical banks, including a Roller Skating bank depicting three little boys on a rink, and a rare yellow-base Always Did ’Spise a Mule. An extremely rare Wheel of Fortune still bank of unknown manufacture is a highlight of the session. According to Dan Morphy, it may be the only surviving example. The cast iron array is rounded out with 160 figural doorstops, bookends, doorknockers and
