The centerpiece of the auction, a 39-inch by 35-inch Harbor Petroleum sign, earned its top-tier price after being graded 9.0 by the Authentication and Grading Service (AGS). Collectors also showed strong interest in mechanical history, securing a 1939 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead for $40,590. This restoration piece, celebrated for its 61-cubic-inch OHV V-twin engine and 100-mph capability, remains a staple for enthusiasts of American motor heritage.
Morphy Auctions Tallies $1.6M in Petroliana and Automobilia Sale
A 1940s Harbor Petroleum Products porcelain sign featuring vibrant seaplane graphics commanded $54,120, leading a robust $1.6 million total at Morphy Auctions' July 15-16 event. The Pennsylvania sale drew intense bidding for nearly 1,300 lots of service station memorabilia, vintage neon signage, and rare classic motorcycles.
Market appetite for high-grade signage remained aggressive throughout the two-day session. A 1930s Ford double-sided porcelain neon sign with bullnose attachments fetched $31,200, exceeding its $30,000 high estimate. Similarly, a Super Shell Gasoline pump-plate sign graded 95 by AGS climbed to $22,200. Even items requiring restoration saw significant movement; a distressed circa-1930s Richlube Motor Oil sign, estimated at a maximum of $6,000, sparked a bidding war that pushed its final price to $23,370.
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