.
.
.
#LionLungTester #MorphyAuctions #AntiqueAdvertising #RareFinds #CoinOpCollectibles #VintageArcade #HistoricAuctions #ArtDecoInnovation #CollectiblesMarket #MillsNovelty #RareAntiques #AuctionHighlights #AdvertisingArt #VintageSigns #AntiqueMachines
Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions, expressed his excitement over the success of the recent Coin-Op & Antique Advertising auction held in Las Vegas from April 30 to May 3. The event, which featured nearly 2,000 lots of arcade, music, gambling machines, and antique business signage, achieved a total of over $3.5 million in sales. Morphy highlighted the strong bidding activity both in person and online, noting the presence of both new and returning bidders. He emphasized the auction’s focus on high-quality, well-preserved antiques from long-held collections, which contributed to the event’s success.
The auction’s top lot was a rare Lion Lung Tester, a penny arcade machine from 1904 by Mills Novelty Company, which sold for $184,500. Known for its innovative design, the machine featured an animated “attract mode” and a roaring sound when a coin was inserted. The Lion Lung Tester, one of only two known examples, was fully restored and retained its vintage charm, making it a standout piece in the auction.
Another notable item was a Bow Front Violano Virtuoso, also from Mills, which fetched $79,950. This Art Deco-inspired machine, one of only 20 known examples, played music using a combination of violin and piano tones. Although the original motor had been replaced, the machine came with its original motor and six music rolls, adding to its value.
A Mutoscope Shootomatic prize game from the early 1930s also drew significant interest, selling for $28,290. This arcade game, a precursor to modern first-person shooter games, rewarded players with physical prizes when they hit a target. The fully restored machine was in excellent condition, making it a desirable collectible.
The auction also featured a range of antique advertising signs, with several fetching high prices. A reverse-painted mirror sign advertising C.P. Kimball & Co., a carriage builder, sold for $54,120. The sign, in excellent condition, showcased the craftsmanship of The F. Tuchfarber Co. and was encased in a custom frame.
A Campbell’s Soup can sign with a working thermometer in the center sold for $45,510. The sign, in outstanding condition, featured the brand’s iconic design and was a popular item among bidders. Another notable advertising piece was a single-sided tin sign from Yuengling’s Beer, Ale & Porter, which sold for $15,990. The sign, featuring the brand’s trademark bald eagle, was in good condition despite some wear.
Native American trade figures were also highly sought after, with a 78-inch figure attributed to wood carver Thomas V. Brooks selling for $25,600. The figure, featuring intricate details and a V-shaped feather headdress, had been restored and was missing a few fingers but remained a valuable piece.
Other advertising items included a framed tin sign from Kabo Corsets, which sold for $13,530, and a sign for the “Success” Manure Spreader from Kemp & Burpee Manufacturing Co., which sold for $11,070. Both signs, despite some wear, were highly desirable due to their historical significance and unique designs.
Morphy Auctions’ next event, The Toy Collection of Tom Sage, Jr., is scheduled for May 29. For more information, interested parties can contact Morphy Auctions at 877-968-8880 or visit their website at www.morphyauction.com. The success of the recent auction underscores the continued interest in high-quality antiques and collectibles, with bidders showing a willingness to invest in rare and well-preserved items.
Source link
