Date: Fri 16-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

GAS

Full Text:

Auto/Petrol Auctions Picking Up Speed

w/4 cuts

By Rita Easton

MILLBURY, MASS. -- The relatively new categories of "petroliana" and

"automobilia" were featured at New England Petroliana Auctions on August 30,

drawing a crowd holding 90 bidding numbers. Three hundred eighty lots that

related to gas, oil, and advertising memorabilia crossed the block, resulting

in a gross of $22,000.

Bill Lapan, the auctioneer, noted that most of the consignments came from

people who didn't realize that a market for these items exists. In fact, the

words describing the market, "petroliana" and "automobilia," haven't even made

it into Merriam-Webster's dictionary yet.

Bringing the highest bid of the day, a 1956 Buick Special four-door guardtop,

with three distinctive and familiar tiny "portholes" on the sides of the

two-toned front fenders, with 87,000 original miles, reached $1,625.

Porcelain signs did especially well overall, with the high point being an

approximately five by ten foot Genesee Beer diecut 12-horse team sign bringing

$1,600, purchased by the trade. A Mobil oil lollipop sign, 30 inches in

diameter, garnering $425. An International penny weighing scale went to the

trade at $850, and a Kaiser-Frazer dealership sign achieved $375.

Of a large collection of oil cans, a five-quart lot, an unadvertised late

arrival, 1940s vintage, realized $170, and a one-quart oil can reached $85. A

life-sized country store mannequin, fully dressed complete with bowler hat,

the body made of fiberglass, "Smoking Joe," brought $300; 1930s road maps,

sold in lots (originally giveaways at gas stations), reached a top lot bid of

$65; and porcelain license plates realized in a range from $50 to $100.

A Benkins movers truck toy fetched $225; a tin "Champion Spark Plug" sign sold

at $220; a vintage, custom-built refrigerated bar, bearing "Coca Cola 5c"

signs on three sides, reached $700; and a 1960s child-size, motorized showroom

Corvette, in fire engine red, was purchased at $800. A Texaco tanker ship toy,

approximately two feet long, went out at $125; a Hires Root Beer soda

advertisement thermometer in fair condition made $90; and a Bubble-Up

thermometer in good condition went out at $85.

An oak game of chance win-a-cig machine, at a penny a chance, circa 1920s,

realized $400, and unrestored gas pumps made $150 to $350.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyer's premium.