The three-day auction was held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich.
(ANN ARBOR, Mich.) – A C/B a la Spirite corset display with the original box, original etched and gold leaf on the front of the display case and even a mannequin inside (with a price tag of $1 affixed to the sample corset) sold for $17,100 at a three-day auction held Apr. 12-14 by Showtime Auction Services, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The display measured 23 ½ inches by 42 inches by 20 inches and the mannequin was in very good original condition, except for some minor staining. The lot was typical of many other country store and general store displays that contained actual product, driving up their value and desirability as a collectible. Most of these displays had not been on the market for 30-40 years.
They came from the collection of the auction’s headlining consignors – Bill and Kathie Gasperino, known in antique circles for having one of the finest country store and advertising collections in the United States. Also offered was Part 2 of the Robert and Harriett Potter fire fighting collection and Part 3 of the Ed and Christy Ramsey collection of toys and pedal cars.
In all, over 2,400 lots came up for bid in an auction that grossed about $2.2 million. “It was one of our best spring auctions ever,” remarked Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services, based in Woodhaven, Mich. “Over 500 lots were rare and unseen country store and general store displays and products from the Gasperinos. I can’t stress enough the quality of their collection.”
The auction featured merchandise from over 30 categories (fairly typical for Showtime Auction Services, which only conducts two auctions a year, spring and fall sales that are mega-events). Approximately 2,200 people registered to bid online, via LiveAuctioneers.com and iCollector.com. There were also over 300 phone bids and more than 250 absentee bids recorded.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a buyer’s premium of between 14-20 percent, depending on how people bid and the method of payment.
The sale’s top lot was an extremely rare Campbell’s Soup embossed tin sign (“6 Plates for 10 Cents – Just Add Hot Water and Serve”). Measuring 40 inches by 27 ½ inches, it is one of the most sought after advertising signs by advertising and folk art collectors. Some nail holes around the perimeter and light rusting didn’t deter bidders, who drove the final price to $60,000.
Following close behind, at $57,000, was a 1917 La France automatic aerial ladder truck, professionally restored and in excellent running condition. “In our opinion, this is the finest hook and ladder fire truck ever offered at auction,” Mr. Eckles said. The truck (Reg. #352) came with a period braided life net and equipment, and said on the side, “Martin’s Ferry Hook & Ladder.”
A Bellingham Bay Beer reverse glass sign in the original frame, in mostly excellent condition and 19 ½ inches in diameter, soared to $31,200; an outdoor sand sign for Walden Eddy Plows (Greenwich, N.Y.), in very good condition, 59 inches by 24 inches, brought $20,520; and a rare Kelly Tire round tin sign in good original condition, 24 inches in diameter, made $17,100.
“The Happy Jap” coin-operated gum vendor, made circa 1902 and in good original condition, hammered for $28,500; and a National Cash Register Model 442-E-L cash register with reproduction top sign (“Try Our Oysters”), professionally restored by Peter Warns, whose grandfather was a repairman at NCR when the brass machines were first made, rose to $6,600.
A bronze sculpture by the Egyptian-born American artist Maher Morocos (b. 1946), one of only 20 cast, changed hands for $15,960. The sculpture, 34 inches tall, depicted an American Indian brave leaning down from his horse and handing a canteen to a wounded, thirsty cowboy. Titled The Only Good Indian, it was designed as a 73rd birthday present for Pres. Ronald Reagan.
An authentic Sioux Native American beaded baby cradle in a geometric pattern, made circa 1890 from sinew, sewn supple cowhide, 21 inches tall, garnered $7,500; a circa 1930s Steelcraft Auburn Super Charge pedal car, fully restored, with pneumatic tires, 55 inches long, sped off for $4,560; and a J. Chein Popeye bag puncher tin toy, near mint in the box, hit $3,600.
Showtime Auction Services’ next big auction will be held Oct. 3-5, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich. It will feature the lifetime advertising collection of Don and Diane Sayrizi, plus consignments from over 100 advanced collectors, in the many categories that have made Showtime Auction Services renowned in the industry.
These include petroliana (gas station) and automobilia, general store, country store, toys, pedal cars, barber shop, tobacciana, fire fighting antiques and memorabilia, veterinary, hardware, advertising signs, store tins, soda fountain, Coca-Cola, Western, Native American, farm signs, whiskey, breweriana, match safes, drug store, saloon, post office, coin-op, arcade, scales, gambling, cash registers, folk art, department store, millinery, showcases and store fixtures.
Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality items for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or an entire collection, you may call Michael Eckles at (951) 453-2415; or, you can e-mail him at [email protected]. To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and the upcoming Oct. 3-5 auction, log on to www.ShowtimeAuctions.com. Updates are posted often.