Private collections add antique toys, trains, dolls and advertising to Morphy’s March 5-7 roster Fine toys, trains, antique advertising and the P-nuttiest collection of Planter’s memorabilia to come to auction in many years are in Morphy Auctions’ big March 5-7 Spring Sale.
News-Antique.com - Jan 16,2009 - DENVER, Pa. – Fine toys, trains, antique advertising and the P-nuttiest collection of Planter’s memorabilia to come to auction in many years are waiting in the wings for Morphy Auctions’ 2,100-lot Spring Sale, March 5-7, 2009. An unprecedented influx of superior private collections has come in over the winter months, said Morphy’s chief operating officer Dan Morphy, and because of the size of the sale inventory, each of the three days will be arranged in a logical order that caters to specialty collectors’ preferences. Additionally, the Thursday and Friday sessions will commence at 10 a.m., two hours earlier than has been customary for weekday sessions at Morphy’s.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A full day’s worth of antique advertising and general store items is slated for the opening session on Thursday, March 5. Among the highlights are a 30-year collection of early apothecary candy jars, including a 12-inch ground banjo jar; and a single-owner collection of more than 200 advertising pieces from the categories of automobilia, soda pop, tobacco, thermometers and more. In addition, bidders will be able to take their pick from a colorful array of syrup dispensers, trade signs, string holders, spool and ribbon cabinets.
A superb collection of more than 250 Coca-Cola advertising pieces encompasses signs, calendars, coolers, vibrant festoons and a very rare set of five life-size Coca-Cola cardboard “serving girls.” In near-mint-plus condition, the quintet of figural signs is expected to fetch $10,000-$15,000.
One of America’s most enduring advertising symbols, Planters’ Mr. Peanut, will strut across the podium as part 1 of the renowned Van Benedick collection is auctioned. Benedick is a noted historian on the subject of the Planters company and its top-hatted, monocled mascot. Among the top pieces in the 80-lot Benedick selection are a 6½-foot-tall 1930s Mr. Peanut sign that came from a wall at Planters’ Nashville production facility, estimate $15,000-$25,000; and a Canadian papier-mâché statue of Mr. Peanut that stands 20 inches tall, estimate $5,000-$7,500. A highly desirable lithographed, diecut-tin Mr. Peanut wrap-around jar display is also estimated at $5,000-$7,500.
Friday, March 6, 2009
In following Morphy’s tradition, the Friday session will open with antique and vintage marbles. Within the 80 lots to be offered is a 1½-inch-diameter clown onionskin marble with suspended mica, estimate $8,000-$12,000. Many other handmade marbles will be available, as well as a large selection of machine-made marbles that came from a 60-year collection. “The consignor is a gentleman in his 80s who personally brought the collection in to us,” said Dan Morphy.
Next on the Friday docket is a collection of more than 80 Victorian figural silverplate napkin rings. Highlights include a Rip Van Winkle estimated at $2,000-$3,000 and a tall giraffe under a palm tree that carries a $1,500-$2,200 estimate.
The Friday session concludes with vintage baseball cards and nodders, a portion of the Carl Lobel character toy collection, and more than 100 pressed-steel vehicles. Rare entries by the premier brand Buddy ‘L’ include an outdoor roundhouse, a set of aerial tower tramways, a hoisting tower
