LARNED — After buying signs and memorabilia for decades, Rice County’s Charlie Sharpe is prepared to sell. Sharpe’s ttems are available for viewing at carrauction.com
Carr Auction will facilitate Sharpe’s unique collection of automotive signs with a sale that starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday off U.S. 56 in Larned.
“This is a collection of signs you don’t see very often,” said Chris Froetschner, Carr Auction. “You may see a collection of this value maybe once in 10 years. Larned will be a hotspot for collectors this weekend. Charlie has spent a lifetime of being an auction buyer. Now, he is liquidating his collection.”
The porcelin neon signs advertise a wide range of businesses related to automobile companies, and various tractor and oil industry manufacturers. Froetschner said the signs carry a high value for collectors because they carry well-known industry names.
“They don’t these type of porcelin signs anymore which were built for the weather that advertised the business,” he said. “They bring back an era that people grew up. They’ve become highly collectible.”
There is a well-maintained Minneapolis Moline Power and Machinery sign that is expected to fetch several thousand dollars. The neon signs are generally 2-to-4 feet by 6-to-8 feet.
Froetschner expects more than a dozen states to be represented this weekend.
“It’s always a fun weekend to see who comes to this type of auction,” he said.
The auction starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with Jim Froetschner, Larry Carr and Chris Froestchner serving as auctioneers. More than a doazen employees will keep busy.
NEON SIGNS
• 66” Buick — Valve in Head (1 Side); 90” Oldsmobile Hydraulic Drive (1 Side); M-M Neon Sign, Still in Crate from Restoration; 3’ by 8’ Ford (1 Side); 75” John Deere (1 Side); 6’ by 3’ Case w/Eagle, Acme Wiley (1 Side); M & M Power Machinery Service & Sales; NEON BEER SIGNS–Coors, Busch, Schlitz, Pabst
PORCELAIN, METAL SIGNS
• Firestone; Gehl; Quaker; Large Skelly (Double Sided); David Harum; United Hagie; Nutrena; J. I. Case; Kendall Motor Oil; Bubble Up; Pennzoil; United Service; Old Gold; JD; Massey Harris; Minneapolis-Moline; Goodrich; Fairmont; Buick; U.S. Tires; Bell; DX; Goodyear; AC Spark Plugs; 6’ Red Crown Gasoline Thermometer; Haynes Stellited Plow Shares; Oil Lease Signs
ANTIQUE TRACTORS & ENGINES
• JD “B” SN:52575, Restored; JD “BR” SN:328040, Restored; 1941 M-M “UTU”, Completely Restored; Ford 961 Power Master High Crop, Restored; Case “D” Restored
JD “A”; JD “H” Restored; Jinma 254 Tractor, MFWA w/Loader & Tiller, 68 Hrs.; JD MT Tractor; Stationary Engines Including: Sandwich Mfg. 1½-HP; New Idea; JD Gator CX, Like New
ANTIQUE VEHICLES
• 1921 Ford Model T, Center Door, Restored; 1952 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, 4-Door
RIDING MOWERS
• John Deere D125; John Deere STX 38; Ford LT 12; MTD 638 AL; John Deere 68; White Super 50; John Deere 70 (No Deck); Honda Trail 90
CAST IRON
White Eagle; 38” & 42” Blacksmith Mandrels; (30) Anvils (All Sizes); Cast Iron Implement Seats
AUTO MEMORABILIA, COLLECTIBLES
• Advertising Oil, Grease Cans & Buckets; Standard Thermometer; Champion Clock; Auto License Plates; Die Cast Toys; Crocks; Advertising Ash Trays; Manuals & Paper Goods; Watch Fobs; Pedal Tractors; Clipper Miniature Seed Cleaner
GAS GLOBES
Sinclair; Conoco; Texaco; Standard Red Flame; Skelly
COLLECTIBLES
• Antique Coin Operated Scale; Large Hog Oilers; Parking Meter; Dr. Pepper Cooler; Coca-Cola Clock; Beer Advertisers; Long Horns; IH, AC, Ford & MM Advertising Hats; Phone Booth
