Vintage fireworks collection pops at Morphy's June 22-23 auction, earns $438K A 40-year collection of antique and vintage firecracker packs and pyrotechnical rarities sold for $438,000 at Morphy's June 22-23 auction.
with a $500-$1,000 estimate but was bid to $2,700.
Another pack that may be the only known example of its type was the one advertising “Crax Boy Loudest Flashlight Crackers.” Executed in appealing primary colors, the label featured a knock-off character nearly identical to the Whitman’s Sampler candy messenger boy. But instead of chocolates, Crax Boy delivers packets of fireworks. Estimated at $500-$1,000, the Crax Boy pack was bid to $3,025.
The pack that Moyer said he found hardest to part with was the one called “Marine,” with a depiction of US Marines in a battlefield. “I had a sentimental attachment to it because I, myself, served in the Marine Corps,” he said. The pack of 70 crackers – possibly a unique survivor – achieved $3,000.
Other top lots included: Merry-Go-Round, $3,000; Mercury, $2,280; Evergreen, $1,920; and China Goo Boy [probably an aberration of “Good Boy”] – $2,400. The image of a Native-American brave adorned the label on a pack of Three Feathers crackers, which sold for $1,440.
Dan Morphy commented that the bidding dynamic in the June 22-23 sale was contrary to that of most other Morphy sales. “The majority of bidding came in the form of left bids on the website. Internet live bidding through Morphy Live was second, and the phones were third. But regardless of how collectors chose to bid, they were obviously eager to participate. They realized the opportunity this auction presented. There is only one George Moyer collection.”
After the sale, George Moyer remarked that he had found it “very gratifying” that so many fellow collectors took the time to speak with him at the auction. “I had a great time meeting everyone and signed many, many auction catalogs, copies of the fireworks book I wrote, and fireworks posters. It made all those years of collecting worthwhile.”
To contact Morphy Auctions, call 717-335-3435. Visit the company’s website at www.morphyauctions.com.
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Top lot of the sale: salesman’s sample board containing 20 sample sparklers, caps and firecracker packs, $7,200. Morphy Auctions image.
