Bidders at Morphy’s $1.4 million summer sale dropped their money into banks – both mechanical and still banks. “We had over 200 mechanicals in this sale,” said the auction company’s chief operating officer, Dan Morphy. “It was a diverse selection, both in price range and conditions and good prices were achieved across the board at the June 15-17 sale.” A wood boxed, yellow base version of the perennially popular ‘Spise a Mule bank, made by J.&E. Stevens, kicked its $7/10,000 estimate to the curb to settle at $17,600. A rare color variation of the circa 1885 Afghanistan bank, which includes two symbolic animals – the British lion and the Russian bear – face to face at the gates of an ancient Afghan city called Herat, bore a tag indicating provenance through the Ed Mosler collection. Estimated at $3/5,000, it charged to $15,400. A prize that many mechanical bank collectors were eyeing, a Roller Skating bank, intentionally had been left intact, under layers of grime that had built up over many years. “We knew that bidders were knowledgeable and would see through that,” said Morphy. “When cleaned, it will be an excellent-plus condition bank, but we left it up to the next owner to decide the course of action.” The bank skated past its estimate to achieve $29,700. Still banks held their strength in the marketplace, with rare examples taking top money. An extremely scarce Wheel of Fortune bank, estimated at $3/5,000, topped the category at $8,800. In the vintage and antique advertising section, many highlights emerged. A spectacular 1903 Coca-Cola tray picturing a turn of the Twentieth Century beauty daintily holding a glass of the “delicious, refreshing” beverage earned a buoyant $15,400 against an estimate of $7/10,000. Both advertising and fishing collectibles fans attempted to reel in a South Bend Oreno fold-out die cut sign of a boy and man fishing. In near mint condition and offered with a 1930s South Bend Oreno catalog, it landed a winning bid of $5,225. A Dr A.C. Daniels Animal Medicines veterinary cabinet with a stunning image of white horses galloped to $7,150; while a Wilbur’s Chocolate and Pepsin Gum vending machine attracted a bid of $8,800. No Morphy sale is complete without toys. Among the highlights were a Strauss tin wind-up “Santee Claus” with reindeer toy that dashed away at $3,300; and a superb I.Y. brand Japanese-made “Friendly” tin motorcycle with male and female passengers, which sold together with its colorful original box for $8,800 In decorative arts, a Tiffany turtleback lamp with a 14-inch dichronic glass shade in warm tones of yellow to gold, realized an above estimate price to lead the section at $28,600. Also performing excellently were two Newcomb College pottery vases. A 9½-inch floral cylinder vase designed by Harriet Coulter “Hattie” Joor, made sometime before 1906, more than doubled its high estimate at $6,600. Another Newcomb College piece, a 10½-inch high glaze barrel shape vase with a banded Art Nouveau motif, likewise ignored its estimate of $1/1,500 to end its run at $7,700. Both of the Newcomb College lots had come to Morphy’s as an addition to a toy consignment, Morphy revealed. The sale’s closer was a huge assortment of figural cast iron novelty items. Fed by a strong interest in the marketplace, excellent prices were achieved. Heading the group was a cast iron pelican doorstop signed Spencer, Guilford, Conn. Exhibiting wonderful detail to the “feathers” and exquisite paint overall, it brought $12,500 against an estimate of $1,5/2,000. Morphy remarked that the Internet and phone bidding during the three-day sale were the “most active they’ve ever been. We’ve definitely noticed that more and more people are taking this route. I believe both will become an integral part of our sales because people are trusting our judgment on the condition reports. They don’t have to physically be here – they can call for a condition report on any piece, then bid with confidence by phone or Internet.” All prices quoted include a ten percent buyer’s premium. For information, 717-335-3435, info@morphyauctions.com or www.morphyauctions.com. 
01 Aug 2006 / 0 Comment
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