Miller & Miller's Dec. 4 Petroliana, Advertising Signs & Memorabilia auction grosses CA$568,789

NEW HAMBURG, Ontario - Dec. 9, 2021 - PRLog -- A 1930s Canadian Eco Model 160 clockface gasoline pump and a circular, 1946 McColl-Frontenac double-sided porcelain sign, also from Canada, each knocked down for $35,400 in an online-only Petroliana, Advertising Signs & Memorabilia auction held December 4^th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. based in New Hamburg, Ontario.

All prices in this report are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer's premium.

The rare, 1930s Canadian Eco Model 160 clockface gas pump with original reverse painted glass dials and the correct nozzle marked, "Service Station Equipment", was the expected top lot of the auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$25,000. Eager bidders beat the high estimate by $10,000. The clockface pump had had an older, professional restoration to the Texaco colors.

The 1946 McColl-Frontenac porcelain sign, six feet in diameter, marked "P&M-46" on the bottom, was expected to realize $12,000-$15,000, but aggressive bidding more than doubled the high estimate, Also, a 1930s Red Indian single-sided porcelain sign, also circular, five feet in diameter, marked "The W. F. Vilas Co. Limited, Cowansville, P.W.", went for $27,140. Both signs were from Harron's General Store in Elsinore, Ontario. Their slogan: "Call Elsinore, 424".

The 530-lot auction featured seldom-seen Canadian soda signs from the 40-year collection of James Burridge and the advertising collection of the late Dave Toccalino. The sale also boasted a carefully curated offering of jukeboxes, gasoline pumps, toys and original memorabilia from the 1890s-1970s. Major categories included advertising signs, and tins, general store, tobacciana, clocks, co-op, petroliana (gas station collectibles), automobilia (car collectibles) and breweriana.

"Most of the content in this sale had been tucked away in private collections for decades," said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions. Ltd. "Collectors jumped at the chance to own what they'd likely never see again. Condition has always been the great divider. Many of the top lots went to buyers who were investing in condition. Some of the numbers were staggering. Good soda advertising, good petroliana – it's all on fire. I have a feeling we haven't seen the end of it."

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. has three auctions planned for winter and early spring. They are:

• A Canadiana & Folk Art Auction featuring Part 2 of The Osler Collection (Feb. 12, 2022)
• A Music Machines, Toys & Advertising Auction (March 19, 2022)
• An Advertising Auction (April 9, 2022)

To learn more, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.