Page 20 - JOA August 2020

Miller & Miller Advertising, Toys, & Historic

Objects Auction Feeds Collectors’ Appetites

NEW HAMBURG, ONTARIO, CANADA – A Fry visible “Mae West” proved irresistible to bidders. A few
gas pump made in America in the 1920s sold for $7,800, and a Kuntz tin of the top sellers are as follows. All
lithographed beer tray made in Canada and featuring a St. Bernard dog three realized identical selling prices of
graphic brought $7,500 in an online-only Advertising, Toys & Historic $3,000.
Objects sale held June 20th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. All prices • An Arno Model 31A pedestal air
quoted are in Canadian dollars. meter, made in America in the 1940s and
The 699-lot auction was packed with advertising and signs, toys, gen- featuring a lighted case, 62” tall, manufac-
eral store items, petroliana (gas station collectibles), automobilia, breweri- tured by Romort Mfg. Co. (Oakfield, WI).
ana and historical ephemera, much of it Canadian in origin. There was no • A Clearvision visible gas pump,
live gallery bidding due to the pandemic, but over 400 people registered made in Toronto, Canada in the 1930s, 10’
to bid online and collectively placed 6,658 bids. Overall, the auction tall, with the base, nozzle and brass plate all
grossed a robust $294,558. stamped, repainted, good looking but not
The Fry gas pump, 9’ tall, was functioning.
stamped “Guaranteed Liquid • A Clearvision visible gas pump, also
Measure Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.” made in Canada in the 1930s, including
It was mechanically untest- hail screen, with base, brass plate and nozzle
ed and had undergone all stamped, repainted, condition issues,
heavy repairs, but that not functioning.
didn’t deter eager bid- A Butler Dawes Brewery black horse statue,
ders. The 13-inch diam- 18” tall, plaster cast in the 1930s by the
eter antique Kuntz tray, famed Woodstock, Ontario artist Ross
one of Canada’s most Butler (1907-1995), incised with
coveted beer trays, had Butler’s name, galloped off for $2,400;
gorgeous color and gloss, and a rare O’Keefe’s “Greek Scene”
showing a detailed image tin lithographed beer tray (Canadian American Coca-Cola school policeman
of a St. Bernard dog behind 1920s), marked “Niagara Lith. Co., sign from the 1950s, 60” tall, the
a bottle of Kuntz’s lager. Buffalo” lower edge, 13 ¼” by 10 “fishtail” logo version, two lithographed
Other top lots included a ½”, changed hands for $2,160. metal panels standing on a cast metal
Coca-Cola school policeman sign, A rare, early De Laval Cream base (CA$3,900)
Kuntz tin lithographed beer tray made in Canada fea- 60 inches tall, the Separator single-sided porcelain flange sign, made in the U.S. in the 1920s
turing a St. Bernard dog graphic, highly detailed, 13” “fishtail” logo version, with text, “World’s Standard, Over 1,500,000 in Use”, 26” by 18”, made
dia., with exceptional color and gloss (CA$) with two litho- $1,920; while a top lot in the toys category was a Supertest Minnitoy (by
graphed metal panels standing on a cast metal base ($3,900); and a J.M. Otaco, Ltd., Orilla, Ontario) pressed steel oil tanker from the 1940s, with
Fortier Cigar framed lithograph, housed in a 35 ½” by 27 ½” gilt plaster the original paint and decals ($2,400).
frame with molded tobacco leaves, marked “Heffron & Phelps, Returning to petroliana, a Canadian Oil Companies White Rose
Lithographers” (NY) lower right ($3,000). porcelain sign (Canadian 1940s) probably from a bulk distribution plant,
“Our online auction platform has proven advantageous during these 13” by 8”, free of restoration, finished at $2,040; and White Rose 4-foot
uncertain times,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. diameter two-sided porcelain dealer sign with original ring, one side
“The June auction attracted nearly seven thousand bids from within retaining excellent gloss while the other side exhibits chalkiness, ham-
Canada and around the globe. There is no question that the enthusiasm mered for $1,920.
among the collector community is alive and well - if not stronger than Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. has three major auctions planned for
before. The sale was a huge success.” the fall. A Music Machines, Coin-Op & Advertising auction, featuring the
Mr. Miller said he’s seen growing international interest for typically Ken Vinen collection, will be held on Saturday, September 19, at 9 a.m.
“Canadian” items, pointing out that the Eastern. Online bidding begins on Aug. 21. The auction will be online
Kuntz beer tray went to an international and live in the New Hamburg gallery, at 59 Webster Street. The deadline
bidder. He added, “There is a ripe for consignments is August 24.
appetite for quality, fresh-to-the- Just added is a Canadiana & Historic Objects auction, featuring the
market collectibles. Value is Brian Stead collection, slated for Saturday, October 24,
largely dependent on two factors: also at 9 a.m. EST, online and live in the New
historical significance and condition Hamburg gallery.
level. Many of Saturday’s top sellers were a Then, a Watches & Jewellery auction that was
combination of the two.” originally planned for June 6th but was deferred
Following are additional highlights from the due to COVID-19, has been re-scheduled for
auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by the pop- Saturday, November 21, at 9 a.m., online and live
ular online bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.com, in the gallery. Online bidding will begin on
as well as the Miller & Miller website Monday, November 2. The deadline for consign-
MillerandMillerAuctions.com). Telephone and absen- Butler Dawes Brewery black horse ments is October 23.
tee bids were also accepted. statue, 18” tall, plaster cast in the Miller & Miller Auctions is Canada’s trusted
A Goodyear 8-foot-by-2-foot single-sided porcelain 1930s by the famed Woodstock, seller of high-value collections and is always accepting
sign, made in Canada in the 1930s and marked Ontario sculptor Ross Butler (1907- quality consignments. The firm specializes in watches
“Property of Goodyear Co. General Steel Wares 1995) (CA$2,400) and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value col-
Product” on the lower edge, fetched $3,000. The lectibles. Its mission is to provide collectors with
same winning bid was made for an 1880s a trusted place to buy and sell.
Canada Paint Company paper lithograph To consign a single piece, an estate or a
under glass in the original marked frame, 35 collection, you may call them at 519-573-
½” by 25 ½” and free of restoration. 3710 or 519-716-5606; or, e-mail to
Gas station collectibles (petroliana) info@millerandmillerauctions.com.

18 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles