MT. CRAWFORD, VA.- A group of highly-desirable ceramic syrup dispensers was the highlight of the marathon 1,050 lot auction held on February 28 at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates. Top lot of the day was a Jim Dandy root beer dispenser, circa 1918, that sold for $5,750 against the pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000 (Lot 45). Other dispensers for Cherry Smash and Orange Crush were also the subject of spirited bidding and sold above their estimated ranges as well.

Additional advertising material in the auction drew strong interest, with a Brotherhood Tobacco cardboard sign featuring the laborer and the capitalist both seated upon a locomotive while enjoying a smoke, in its original frame, sold for $3,450, also over the estimate of $2,000-$3,000 (Lot 57). Country store items included a Days Soap cast-iron hanging paper bag/string dispenser, of octagonal form, dated to the 1880s, which sold for $977.50 against an estimate of $200-$400 (Lot 65).

The auction featured many interesting collections. Among the blue and white salt-glazed ceramics offered was a rare coffee pot with cover, molded in low relief with Peacocks to the sides which sold for $1,610 (Lot 642). A large collection of steins was highlighted by a 1902 Mettlach No. 2765 half-liter example depicting a knight on a white horse with turret lid which sold for $1,092.50 (Lot 704). Entertainment-related ephemera included the Joseph Imburgio Bulger 1933 “Century of Progress” Chicago World’s Fair archives of 220 photos and related papers, which sold for $1,955 (Lot 246). Over 300 pieces of carnival glass was offered with the high lot being a red Fenton Dragon and Lotus bowl that reached $632.50 (Lot 743).

The auction closed with a collection of more than 10,000 post cards that featured large selections of Halloween and Cat themed cards. Highlights were a lot of 80 Louis Wain humorous cat cards which sold for $862.50 (Lot 980), and a group of 16 embossed Halloween cards published by M. L. Jackson and John Winsch which fetched $517.50 (Lot 922).

Auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans was very pleased with the auction results, saying that they were some of the strongest he had seen for similar material in years. “Country store and advertising items continues to draw strong interest and solid prices. One reason is because it transcends several collecting categories and has a strong appeal to decorators as well as collectors.”

The next auction at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates will be on Saturday, March 28 and will focus on Victorian Glass. The auction catalogue will be posted around March 18. Public preview will be March 25-27 from 10 am to 6pm, and on the day of sale from 8 am until the last lot is sold.