Soda Fountain Collection Means Sweet Success At Rich Penn Sale

Bidders from across the United States and around the world participated in Rich Penn Auction's April 29-May 1 sale of the Crocco Soda Fountain collection in Des Moines, Iowa. More than 1,700 lots crossed the block during the event, which totaled $1.47 million.

Nearly 400 in-house and absentee bidders competed with 2,000 online participants. The auction was broadcast live on eBay by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Friday's session of 650 lots included the second offering from the Blacklock Collection of California. Among the items were furniture, pottery, clocks, advertising, tobacco items, Tiffany, Stueben, Carnival and cut glass. The top lot of Friday was a Tiffany & Co., London, locking liquor caddy, it was hammered down to a telephone buyer for $2,860.

The first of many syrup dispensers to break the $5,000 mark on Saturday was the Crawford's Cherry-Fizz, closing at $9,625. Among those over $10,000 were the Grape Punch at $12,100, the Ironport at $18,150 and the Drink Smack at $18,700.

The first of several to break the $20,000 mark was the Cherri-Bon at $25,300, a Fan-Taz at $27,500, a Dr Pepper Urn at $26,400 and a So. Cas. Co Orange Ale at $26,400. Several dispensers broke the $30,000 level. The Grapefruitola made $34,100, as did the perfect condition Pepsi Urn. The Dixie-Flip, in immaculate condition and with several strong bidders, soared to $37,400.

The $40,000 barrier, well into record territory, according to the gallery, was breached by the Root Beer collectors. A Jim Dandy, in excellent condition, ended at $44,000. A Hires "Ugly Boy" brown version urn was not hampered by a restored lid. It crowned the auction, selling to a phone bidder for $69,000.

Other highlights included a cigar store Indian Princess, which sold for $21,450, and a Seal of North Carolina Tobacco sign that went at $27,500.

A rare "Veeder" dipper set a world record price for an ice cream dipper at $17,050. The piece featured a counting meter in the handle that let the store owner keep track of the scoops dispensed. Other strong prices included a dipper from an unknown maker for ice cream sandwiches. It had an unusual finger grip and sold at $12,100.

A Pie Alamoder and an H.S. Geer with a conical bowl both sold at $9,900. Another dipper from an unknown maker featured a very unusual threaded shaft mechanism that dumped a #16 bowl. It sold at $9,075. Close behind it was an L&D cone filler selling for $$8,250. A Manos Novelty heart-shaped dipper, considered rare, brought $7,425. Its companion set of four dishes sold individually for a total of $3,985.

Mechanical banks garnered, from left, a Darktown Battery, $2,645; a Cat & Mouse, $4,600; a Speaking Dog, $3,080; a Chinaman, $6,000; and a Monkey & Coconut, $8,700.

Mechanical banks included a Monkey & Coconut retaining more than 80 percent of its paint, $8,700; a reclining Chinaman, also with 80 percent of its paint, $6,000; a Cat & Mouse, $4,600; a Speaking Dog, $3,080; and a Dark Town Battery, $2,645.

A Game Fine Cut tobacco tin went quickly to $1,980, an unusual Hoffman House Cigar sign showing two children was hammered down at $2,200, and a Majestic "Junior" salesman's sample stove, repainted, sold for $8,340.

All prices include the buyers premium. Penn's next auction will be November 4-6 in Des Moines.