CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND.- Advertising memorabilia showed strong prices at Route 32 Auctions’ debut auction on November 25th, held at Christy’s of Indiana in Indianapolis. Bidders were in attendance at the venue as well as on the internet and the phones. Route 32 Auctions is headquartered in Crawfordsville and specializes in petroliana, automobilia and general store memorabilia.

Nearly 350 lots of original advertising memorabilia – gas station and automobile dealership signs, gas pump globes, oil cans and more – were consigned in what Kevin Parker, president and founder of Route 32 Auctions, called “a very successful sale.” More than 300 people attended the auction in person and over 350 people registered to bid online through Proxibid.com and HiBid.com.

It was a no reserve auction, with everything being sold to the highest bidder. Bidders were excited to have an opportunity to bid on these seldom seen items which ranged from a rare early Sinclair Opaline Motor Oil one-gallon oil can with a detailed race car graphic ($2,520) to an extremely scarce single Pepco 15” globe lens mounted to a new metal body ($2,645).

The early Marathon Products (“Best in the Long Run”) double-sided porcelain sign, with the iconic running man graphic, was the overall top lot of the auction, fetching $6,900. The sign measured 48 inches in diameter, was marked “Veribrite Signs, Chicago,” and displayed the early Marathon green and orange colors.

The En-Ar-Co White Rose double-sided porcelain sign was the runner-up, selling for $6,480. It also measured 48 inches in diameter and still retained its original frame. The Cadillac Authorized Service double-sided porcelain sign rounded out the top three, selling for a very impressive $6,325. It measured 42 inches in diameter and was marked “Walker & Co., Detroit.”

Below are some additional highlights from the auction. All prices include the buyer’s premium.

A Chevrolet “OK Used Cars” single-sided porcelain button sign, measuring 60 inches in diameter, ended at an amazing $4,370. A single-side Lincoln Ford Fordson Sales and Service porcelain sign, measuring 27 inches by 66 inches, also brought a notable $3,450. The rare Associated Gasoline “More Miles” double-sided porcelain sign, measuring 27.5 inches in diameter and marked “Ingram Richardson, Beaver Falls, Pa.”, realized a price of $4,080. Also, a Kendall (“The 2,000 Miles Oil”) single-sided curved porcelain sign, measuring 30 inches by 19 inches, topped out at $2,400.

The Fisk “Time to Re-Tire” single-sided tin sign with yawning boy graphic, measuring 41 inches by 52 inches, went for an astonishing $3,565; while a Valvoline “Costs Less to Use” single-sided tin sign, mounted on its original wooden frame and marked “Enameled Steel Sign Co., Chicago,” hit the mark at $2,875.

The gas pump globes brought strong numbers as well. The 15” Precision Gasoline globe (Colorado Petroleum Products Co.), mounted in an original porcelain coated metal body, realized at $3,162; and the 15” Royal Gasoline globe mounted on a new metal body hit $2,875.

Route 32 Auctions has two of five-six auctions scheduled for 2018 currently. The first is set for Saturday, March 24th, at Christy’s of Indiana in Indianapolis. The second is the prestigious Iowa Gas Auction being held August 1st thru 3rd, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Additional times and dates for upcoming Route 32 Auctions events will be posted on their website www.route32auctions.com. At this time, they are also accepting consignments for current and future auctions. To inquire about consigning an item to one of their auctions please email them at info@route32auctions.com.

Route 32 Auctions is located at 1705 Lebanon Road in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where they have a 20,000-square-foot showroom which is open Monday thru Friday, from 9-5 Eastern time, as well as Saturday and Sunday by appointment. They welcome visitors and enjoy sharing their collection. Crawfordsville is located about 35 miles outside of Indianapolis, Ind.