Page 86 - Barrett-Jackson_FirstLook_Fall2020

A LOOK AT

WHAT’S HOT IN THE NEON NIRVANA
WORLD OF AUTOMOBILIA

The brilliant and glowing signage known as “neon” for $55,200, while a 1950s Republic Oil Company sign
made its debut in the 1920s. The glass-sealed tubes went to its new home for $51,750 and an impressive
twisted to form letters and shapes – filled with neon gas GMC Trucks marquee sign from the 1940s scored a
lit with electricity – mesmerized young and old alike. $46,000 sale.
That’s still the case to this day, as can easily be More than 20 of those brilliantly blinking, enticing
experienced by walking into the Barrett-Jackson auction neon signs will also be among the star pieces offered
arena on any given morning of an event, before the during the 2020 Fall Automobilia Auction, including
gleaming collector cars take their turn on the stage. a rare and all-original 1940s Dodge Automobiles
Once called “liquid fire,” neon signs attract the human marquee sign, a striking Chevrolet Super Service sign
eye with an electric allure that few other forms of from the 1930s-40s and an always-popular Mobil
advertising can command. Oil Pegasus neon – this one a wonderful left-facing
example from the 1950s.
Neon porcelain signs continue to be the hottest
category in automobilia today. At the 2020 Scottsdale In all, more than 350 authentic pieces of automotive
Automobilia Auction last January, many records were memorabilia will be offered – all with No Reserve –
set and broken, especially in the brightly colored world during the Fall Auction, many of them hailing from the
of neon: eight of the top 10 sellers were neon porcelain Cedarmore Collection, a Midwest collection acquired
signs from the Mike Money Lifetime Collection. over a 40-year time frame.
The results were indeed impressive. A stunning 1951 There will also be several hundred cardboard, tin
Mobil Oil left-facing Pegasus, the neon animated to and porcelain signs pertaining to gas and oil, auto
simulate the mythical horse’s flying wings, brought in dealerships and soda. One of the highlights is a 1920s
a remarkable $80,000. An original Chevrolet OK Used Francisco Auto Heaters tin lithograph sign with a
Cars dealership marquee sign from the 1940s-50s sold period Packard depicted. Also included in the offering

86 BARRETT-JACKSON FIRST LOOK FALL 2020