By BARB VAN LOO
Michigan Correspondent ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Unquestionably the most desirable item in Showtime’s recent auction was the reverse glass sign for the Great Rock Island Route of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway.
This sign had been made in 1890 by an employee of the railroad who made reverse glass lampshades for the Pullman cars.
It is said to be the first sign made for the railroad company and hung in the railroad’s office building in Los Angeles, Calif. The consignor’s grandfather worked for the railroad company in the 1920s and 1930s and the sign was given to him by a friend who worked in the office.
It had been in the consignor’s family for 85 years and this was the first time this important piece of the railroad’s history was offered for sale. This beautiful sign was admired by all in attendance; elicited spirited bidding by live, telephone and Internet bidders resulting in a final selling price of $165,000.
Mr. Peanut items are crowd favorites, and the Mr. Peanut that crossed the block at this auction was no exception. This Mr. Peanut was a “tapper.” He would be placed in the front window and would use his cane to tap on the window to attract customer’s attention. He stood 28 inches tall, had had a small amount of repaint, and was in working condition. The final selling price for this interesting advertising piece was $20,900.
An embossed die-cut tin easel-back sign by American Artworks, Coshocton, Ohio, from 1910 depicted a little boy and girl, she with a drink in her hand and he with a great big smile, seated at a table. On the tablecloth there was the slogan “Drink Allens Red Tame Cherry and you’ll smile too.” Many interested bidders drove the final selling price to $55.200.
A tin die-cut store display sign featuring a woman modeling a corset for Ferris Good Sense Corset for women and children reached $17,825. A framed paper sign reading Five Jacks Fine Old Whiskey illustrated Uncle Sam, gambling, and Indians. It sold for $24,750.
Another great old paper sign for a whiskey was one for Gilt Edge Whiskey. This one depicted a young lady in a white dress with black stockings and shoes lounging on a sofa with a red coverlet and a book on her lap. A bottle of whiskey was on a small table beside her. The title of this was A Treat That Can’t Be Beat. This was from Wickman Lutgen & Co., Inc. S.F. and sold for $46,750.
For the collector of tobacco memorabilia there was a round cigar tin for Sunset Trailers. It depicted a man and woman on horseback and indicated that you could get 2 for 5. It took $17,050 to take this home.
An oversized saloon display bottle from J.T.S. Brown & Sons, Distillers, Louisville, Ky. was another item for collectors of bar memorabilia. This was for Old Prentice Whisky and had its label under glass. This went to a collector for $18,400.
The salesman’s sample display stand with samples of canes was an interesting piece. Each of the canes had a shaft of a different wood and each had an unique handle including: one with a perfume container, one with a cigarette holder, one with a compass, and one with a playable harmonica. The others also had interesting handles including ones of ivory, ones inlaid with rubies, etc. The final selling price of this interesting piece was $21,450.
Thomas Brooks (1828-1895) was one of the most noted woodcarvers in the mid- to late-1800s and was a mentor to other carvers. A cigar store Indian chief figure made by Brooks that stood 76 inches tall had a small crack but had most of its original paint and was in good condition. This sold for $51,750.
Remember the old machines that, for a small fee, would predict your future? Princess Doraldina, who had a wax head, could tell you your past, present, and future for the small fee of five cents. To take her home, though, you would have to pay a bit more- $16,100.
A two-sided Ford Service neon arrow sign measured 15 by 64 by 14 inches and was in excellent working condition. This steel sign sold for $9,775.
A Buddy L pressed steel toy trench digger, Model No. 400, was from 1928-1935, and was one of many pressed steel toys found at this auction. This piece measured 24 inches long and was in very good condition. It found a new owner when the gavel fell at $16,500. Another pressed steel toy, this one a Buddy L Jr. oil truck Model No. 2003 from 1930-1932 had an enclosed cab with doors that opened and was in very good original condition. It sold for $12,100.
A leather volunteer fire hat from Philadelphia from Colonial times was another piece of history. This hat was made of waterproof wool and made by Garvin & Cutter, Boston, Mass. There was a crack and a small amount of leather had been lost in the back brim. It sold for $10,925.
From 1870 there was a T.J. Coolidge horse-drawn hose cart no. 1 that had been professionally restored and was in excellent condition. This had etched glass with a clear and cobalt blue lantern. It also had red and green-globe lanterns and retractable swiveling hose nozzles on the back of the cart. This crossed the block for $110,000.
This was followed on the block by a 1917 American LaFrance fire truck marked R.L.F.D. on the side and LEO1 on the hood. It was from the American LaFrance & Flamite Co., Elmira, N.Y. This was used in Red Lion, Pa. It was powerful for its day and equipped with solid rubber tires to enable it to navigate the cobblestone roads. It had been professionally restored and had all available accessories including 20-foot long lanterns. It sold for $60,500.
For more information, call 951-453-2415, or visit www.showtimeauctions.com |
