The three-day weekend event will be held in Ann Arbor, Mich., by Showtime Auction Services.

(ANN ARBOR, Mich.) – Nearly 2,000 lots from several major collections in an array of categories – firefighting items from the Granite Handtub Museum in Newmarket, N.H., a private arcade machine collection, around 150 rare toys and banks and more – will be sold Apr. 9-11 by Showtime Auction Services, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The three-day Spring “Live” Auction will also feature advertising, country store, barber shop, coin-op, gambling, general store, soda fountain, Coca-Cola, breweriana, petroliana, automobilia, Western Americana, tobacciana, saloon, brothel, die cabinets, showcases, store fixtures, Black Americana, salesman’s samples, Native American items, trade signs and more.

The first day of the sale (Fri., Apr. 9, noon to 5 p.m.) will be for live attendees only (no phone, absentee or Internet bidding). The Saturday and Sunday sessions (Apr. 10, 9-6, and Apr. 11, 9-4) will have live bidding plus phone, absentee and Internet bidding (via iCollector.com). A preview will be held Friday, Apr. 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, with a free hot breakfast from 8-10.

The top lot of the auction is expected to be a vintage pistol-operated Mermaid “The War Game” coin-op arcade machine (est. $200,000-$300,000). The exceedingly rare coin-op arcade machine, one of only twelve made and one of only ten known to exist today, was made by the Matheson Manufacturing Company. It was repainted and is in overall good working condition. Seventy other coin-op machines, most of them rare arcades, will also be offered at the auction.

Also expected to do well is a beautifully restored Hunneman hand-drawn hand tub/fire pump (est. $30,000-$40,000), one of three handtubs in the auction and one of over 200 fire fighting items from the Granite Handtub Museum. Built in 1854 (Button #364), the handtub originated in Cleremont, N.H., and was purchased in 1860 by the town of New Ipswich, N.H.

Another item from the museum is a decorated lamp for the button handtub used by a veteran firemen’s organization called the Red Jackets (est. $5,000-$10,000). In 1892, the tub was entered into a pumpers’ competition at a local muster in Massachusetts and won first prize. The piece was considered the most decorated tub of its time and still resides in Massachusetts.

Vintage toys will include three examples by Buddy L: an extremely rare toy bus that was once ridden by children who would steer it from side wheels (est. $8,000-$12,000); a red baby toy truck in excellent condition with the original tag (est. $6,000-$10,000); and an outdoor toy train with nine cars, complete with five pieces of track and connectors (est. $12,000-$20,000).

Another one of the 150 or so rare toys to be sold is a pre-war Japanese early tin toy race car, very rare and in very good condition (est. $2,000-$4,000). From a completely different category, but not to be overlooked, is a handsome Cigar Store Indian, possibly a Samuel Robb, but with no signature (est. $25,000-$40,000). The piece’s later re-paint has an emerging patina.

Over 20 rare mechanical banks will be offered, to include a cast-iron Boy Scout Camp example in excellent original condition, with 90 percent of the original paint still intact (est. $1,000-$3,500); and a rare circus bank (est. 2,500-$5,000). Also sold will be an extremely rare Pepsi-Cola can in the shape of a spool of thread, the only one Showtime has ever seen and in excellent condition (est. $2,000-$3,000).

A dozen automatons will include a one-cent, coin-operated gambling automaton, featuring a monkey who waves a magic wand, causing a dice table to drop down and then pop up quickly again, sending the dice rolling (est. $10,000-$20,000); and a store window automaton depicting a clock works gentleman. Wind him up and his head moves back and forth (est. $4,000-$8,000).

Additional top lots include a Studebaker & Rockne Authorized Service & Parts two-sided porcelain sign, the only one known and in very good condition (est. $7,500-$10,000; Note: Rockne cars were only manufactured for two years); an 1891 calendar for The Great Rock Island Route Train Company, with full pad (est. $3,000-$6,000); and a Mosley folding bath tub, the same type used in brothels in the 1800s (est. $8,000-$10,000).

Mr. Eckles, owner of Showtime Auction Services, said of the auction, “This is the most diversified selection of merchandise with high quality and rare items in over 60 antique collector categories represented.”

The preferred hotel for the auction is The Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor, Mich., located about 25 minutes from the Detroit airport (DTW). The phone number for reservations is (734) 769-2500. Room-hopping is encouraged. A flyer providing more auction info has been printed. A full-color catalog is also available, at a cost of $35 (to order one, call Carol, at 316-721-5236).

The Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds (the venue of choice for Showtime Auction Services over the past several years) is located at 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor. Showtime conducts only four auctions a year (two live, two absentee), and they need to be held somewhere commensurate with the importance of the auction. The Apr. 9-11 sale is important.

Showtime’s next auction after this one will be a Summer Absentee, Phone and Internet Auction, scheduled to end July 9. Featured will be a fabulous collection of arcade, firefighting memorabilia, advertising, country store, barber shop, gambling, coin-op, toys, banks, general store, Coca-Cola, breweriana, petroliana, automobilia, Western Americana and much more.

After that, Showtime will hold a big Fall “Live” Auction Oct. 1-3 (also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor). Then, a Winter 2011 Absentee Auction will end Jan. 15, 2011. Flyers will be mailed out mid-December and an online catalog will be posted about Jan. 1. The categories for these sales will be similar to those of the Apr. 9-11 and Jul. 9 auction events.

Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call Michael Eckles at (951) 453-2415. His e-mail address is mikeckles@aol.com. To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and the Apr. 9-11 auction, please log on to www.showtimeauctions.com. Updates are posted often.

The world’s Fair of 1893 offered visitors a strange concoction of popcorn, nuts and maple syrup. This confection, unnamed at the time, was an instant hit with the public. For the next three years the inventors of the popcorn treat, William and Louis Ruedkheim, worked to find a way to keep the sticky confection from clumping together. They discovered that by adding a small amount of oil during mixing that the cornels of corn would remain separated. They packaged their tasty treat in a small box bearing a picture of “Sailor Jack” and his dog Bingo. They named it “Cracker Jack”.

While the snack has been regaled in song {“…buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks”} and consumed by millions, it is the “prize” in every box that has sustained it’s popularity for over one hundred years. Is there anyone among us who has not gone “digging” for that elusive “prize in every box”?

In it’s first six years of production Cracker Jack issued 144 different baseball cards featuring such greats as “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson. Other early “prizes” included wooden toys, tin and metal machines and lithographic paper items. The odds of finding any of these pre-1920 pieces are very slim, but well worth the search. If you doubt me, just ask the Rochester, New York man who sent his collection of the 144 original baseball cards to auction where they brought $800,000!

An overview of the prizes through the years offers us a fascinating look at the trends and fads of America in the 20th century. The earliest prizes consisted of paper-dolls, yo-yo’s, baseball cards and song books. The first toys made of wood, tin and metal appeared in the late 1920′s. “Made in Japan” lithograph tin whistles were the best find in the 1930′s. During the 1940′s, propaganda and war toys were a favorite. With the end of the war, the 1950′s Cracker Jack boxes contained toys of a happier nature with dolls and colorful plastic animals being a common find. The race for space in the late 1960′s was reflected with space ships and polyethylene space men. Coin holders, magnifying glasses, and slot machines appeared in the 70′s and 80′s and the favorite toy of the 1990′s saw the return of paper goods in the form of metallic stickers. Cracker Jack toys have delighted children for decades. In fact, Cracker Jack is recognized as fact the world’s largest purveyor of toys, with a distribution of over 17 billions pieces since 1912.

Determining the age of a Cracker Jack toy can be difficult as most of the fifteen million variation were unmarked. An exception to this rule are some of the very early paper dolls, song books and post cards. These may be marked either Ruedkheim Brothers or Reliable Confections. If you are new to this are of collecting beware of pieces with a “CJ” marking on the bottom .This is most commonly found on a piece called the “Toonerville Trolley”. According to company records this was never an official Cracker Jack toy. The letters CJ are rather an indication of the size of the trolley not a company mark.

Other factors used to determine age are the two major changes that came during the 1940′s. In 1945 toys changed from metal to plastic toys, and in starting in 1948 all toys were required by law to be wrapped in paper. Collector have also learned to watch for changes on the box. Reliable Confections sold out to Borden Inc, in 1964, who in turn passed the company legacy to the Frito-Lay Corporation in 1997.

In addition to Cracker Jack toys, collectors also look for mint condition die-cut lithograph display adds, old boxes and advertising material. There is also a considerable interest in memorabilia from Checkers Confections and Angelus Marshmallows, the two sister companies of Reliable Confections.

While finding early pieces in mint condition is rare and costly, there are an abundance of mid-20th century pieces to be had for $10 or under. If you come across miniature toys at flea markets or garage sales they can often be had for pennies! Do you home work and learn what to watch for and you will be surprised just how often these unassuming pieces turn out to be authentic Cracker Jack toys.

Cracker Jack is truly an American tradition, and American’s don’t like their traditions tampered with. Case in point: In 2004 the New York Yankees organization decided to remove Cracker Jack from their concession stand and replace it with a similar product called Crunch ‘N Munch. The public outcry of disapproval was so great that after two weeks…. you guessed it…. the Crunch “N Munch was removed and the Cracker Jack returned.

{Linda Hamer Kennett is the owner of “What’s in the Attic?” Estate Liquidation Service, specializing in down-sizing for seniors, valuation of antiquity and estate tag sales and may be reached at 317-356-8967 or lkennett@indy.rr.com}

Some current live auctions for Cracker Jack items:

Cracker Jack (Category: Cracker Jack ): Cracker Jack (Category: Cracker Jack )

• Rare Vintage CRACKER JACK H & B No. 2 Wood Baseball Bat

US $29.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 14:42:27 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

• CRACKER JACK TWO TOPPERS TOP, TIN LITHOGRAPH RWB 1930′S

US $29.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Aug-01-2010 18:40:46 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Cracker Jack

Cracker Jack is a U.S. brand of snack consisting of caramel-coated popcorn (caramel corn) and peanuts. It is also well known for being…

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The sale, which saw 2,340 lots cross the block over the course of the weekend, featured all three versions of the Mills violano. It might be the first time in auction history that all three Mills violano versions were offered in the same sale. The bow front sold had a midi player with wireless system that permits the user to operate it from 90 feet away. Included were three Mills rolls and four midi albums.

The featured collector of the sale was Sandy Rosnick, the founder of the Antique Advertising Association of America (AAA) and a dedicated collector of country store tins in many categories. A top earner from his collection was a very rare Mohawk Chief cigar tin with just some minor scuffs and scratches but otherwise in very good condition. The tin, once containing nickel cigars, brought $1,800.

“Sandy Rosnick was the featured collector, but we had so many items in such a broad range of categories this was our most diverse auction ever,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “We weren’t sure what to expect, because the financial crisis hit the week before the sale, and things were still in is a state of turmoil that weekend. But I was very pleased with the outcome. It was great.”

A strong crowd of more than 400 people enjoyed the balmy weather and packed the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. The Friday session was held solely for in-house bidders. On Saturday and Sunday, phone and absentee bidding was brisk, while about 2,500 registered bidders participated online via LiveAuctioneers.com and eBayLiveAuctions.com. In all, the auction grossed around $2.2 million.

Following are additional top lots from the sale. All prices quoted include a buyer’s premium that ranged from 10-20 percent.

A paper sign advertising Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento, Calif., and depicting a nude Indian maiden on the back of a buffalo, in a period walnut frame and in mint condition, hammered for $45,100. Also, a Brunhoff light-up Coca-Cola advertising sign, inviting patrons to “Lunch With Us” and depicting a fountain glass, in excellent original condition (12 inches by 14 inches) fetched $12,650.

An original oil painting by the German-born American artist Edmond Osthaus (1858-1928) realized $44,000. The hunting scene, depicting two Irish setters and a pointer, measured 24 inches by 36 inches (32 inches by 44 inches framed). Osthaus was commissioned by the major firearms and gun powder manufacturers of the day, such as Remington and Winchester, for their posters and calendars.

A Watling Cupid trade stimulator (coin-operated, five cents, with gum vendor) in excellent condition and with keys, went for $38,500. Also, a limited-production exact replica of a Mademoiselle Zita fortune teller, in excellent working order, hit $17,050. The original was made by Roovers Bros. Mfg., Brooklyn, N.Y., around the turn of the century. The replica was manufactured by Mike Gorski.

A “Happy Jap” gum vendor, coin-operated and made around 1902, in good original condition (10 inches by 13-1/2 inches by 10-1/2 inches), went to a determined bidder for $39,000. Also, a four-gallon mechanical butter churn with no chips or cracks – a wonderful example of grey stoneware pottery – made $3,000. The piece, 35 inches tall, was made by Jos. Hamilton Mfg. of Greensboro, Pa.

A Buster Brown Shoes tin sign, depicting Tig pulling Buster in a big shoe, measuring 40 inches by 24-3/4 inches and made by American Art Works Lithographers of Coshocton, Ohio, and in overall excellent condition, climbed to $20,900. Also, a Boyce Moto Meter die-cut tin flange sign, two-sided, measuring 21-1/2 inches by 18-3/4 inches and with a bullet hole and a few bb dents, brought $18,700.

A child’s sled intended as a Christmas present for a little boy in Pennsylvania in1893 who died before the holidays, retired to an attic ever since and in original excellent condition, with a beautiful hand-painted rendering of the Finger Lakes in New York, wood with iron runners and geese head pulls, coasted to $5,775. Also, a Popeye Bag Puncher tin wind-up toy, with the original box, reached $4,125.

Showtime Auction Services’ next big sale will be held the weekend of March 27-29, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor. Mich. The featured collector will be Fred Bahlau who, over the course of 57 years, has amassed an impressive accumulation of leaded glass windows, Nickelodeons, lamps, signs, country store, petroliana, advertising and other items – 1,800 lots in all.

Select items from other estates will also be offered. Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, estate or collection, you may call Mike Eckles, at (951) 453-2415. His e-mail address is Mikeckles@aol.com. To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and its calendar of upcoming sales, visit www.showtimeauctions.com.

Financial News – Yahoo! Finance
Press Release
Source: Hess Corporation
Friday May 23, 2008

“NEW YORK, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — A recreational van with an accompanying dune buggy makes its debut today as part of Hess Corporation’s collectible Miniature Truck series. Paying tribute to a popular holiday Hess Toy Truck from the past, the 2008 Mini Toy Truck packs craftsmanship and value into this pair of miniature vehicles.

The 2008 Hess Miniature Recreation Van is on sale at participating Hess and Hess Express retail stores for $6.99 plus tax — batteries are included.

Staying true to the company’s commitment to quality, safety and durability, the 2008 Hess Miniature Recreation Van features real headlights, taillights, running and interior lights. To add to its recreational fun, a rear hatch of the van opens to reveal a pull-down ramp and a miniature dune buggy with knobby tires, roll bar and a pull-back friction motor.

“This year’s Mini Truck is really two vehicles in one, with the attention to detail and value that our collectors have come to expect,” said Rick Lawlor, Vice President, Retail Marketing, Hess Corporation. “It’s another way we can deliver a great brand experience for our customers.”

The Hess Toy Truck, launched in 1964, is one of the longest running toy brands on the market. In 1998, Hess introduced the Collectible Miniature Series featuring small-scale, fully detailed versions of the popular holiday toy trucks. This year’s edition is a replica of the 1998 Hess Toy Truck.

As in past years, the truck will be sold exclusively at participating Hess retail stations and stores while supplies last. For a complete list of Hess Toy Trucks through the years, please visit: www.hesstoytruck.com.

(Ann Arbor, Mich.) – An extremely rare El-Bart Dry Gin tin advertising sign, made in 1905 for the Wilson Distilling Company by Kaufmann & Strauss Co., Lithographers, of New York, sold for $60,500 at the sale of The George Cross Collection held April 11-13 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor. The auction was staged by Showtime Auction Services, of Woodhaven, Mich.

“This was one of the finest collections of its kind in the United States,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “Nearly everything Mr. Cross owned was in mint or near-mint condition. It was a treasure trove for serious collectors who were attracted to the high quality merchandise and the fact that every lot was sold without minimums or reserves. Everything went, regardless of price.”

In a sad footnote to what was otherwise a high-spirited and well-attended auction, Mr. Cross passed away just weeks before his collection crossed the block. His collection was huge, and included advertising and country store collectibles; Old West memorabilia; petroliana; coin-op; coffee grinders; gambling; Coca-Cola; occupational mugs; bronzes; barber shop items; automotive; and more.

By the end of the weekend, about 1,880 lots had changed hands. The El-Bart Dry Gin sign, still housed in its original gesso frame, was the sale’s top lot. About 500 people made it to the event, in addition to the nearly 2,000 registered online bidders (through eBay Live and iCollector.com). Also, over 1,000 phone bids and about 1,500 absentee were recorded. The sale grossed about $2.7 million.

“The results were just incredible,” Mr. Eckles said. “This auction will change the entire complexion of the advertising sign category. It had been strong, back in the ’80s, then it went soft, but now it’s back in a big way and this sale proved it. Signs were sailing past their high estimates to fetch unbelievably strong prices. People are hanging signs on their walls as fine art — and at fine art prices.”

Other highlights from the sale follow. All prices quoted include a buyer’s premium (10% for on-site bidders; 13% for credit card purchases; and 20% for phone, absentee and Internet bidders).
- A Buffalo Brewing Company tin charger: $57,750.
- A rare Buffalo Brewing Company reverse glass sign: $50,850.
- An H. Guggenheimer & Co., reverse glass sign: $38,500.
- A rare Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad reverse glass sign: $36,000.
- A rare Henry Hunter Fine Old Rye Whiskey tin sign: $38,500
- A Days of 49 Whiskey paper sign: $33,000.
- A Cyrus Noble Whiskey paper gambling scene sign: $27,600
- A rare Wells Fargo & Co. Express two-sided sand sign: $27,500.
- A Winchester paper sign: $25,300
- A P.T. Barnum & Co. Greatest Show on Earth paper sign: $25,800
- A Tackle Trade Symbol, tin with gold wash: $25,200.
- A Gordon Motor Car Supplies paper sign: $24,200
- A Pulvers Chocolate & Cocoa Gum one-cent coin-operated embossed tin dispenser (1899): $22,550
- A Dr. Leisures Veterinary Cabinet with embossed tin front: $22,000.
- A Schells Carbonated Mead Paper sign from 1908: $19,250
- A Cooks Water embossed paper sign: $16,500
- A nickel-activated bicycle trade stimulator: $16,200
- A rare Wells Fargo & Co. Wooden Express treasure box: $14,300.
- An Atlantic White Lead Dutch Boy Paint die cut tin string holder: $15,400
- A Marlin Repeating Rifles & Shotguns paper sign: $13,750
- A Teddy & the Lion mechanical bank: $13,750.
- A Wells Fargo & Co. Express Saf: $13,560
- A Grape Nuts self-framed tin sign: $13,200
- A Hires Root Beer embossed die-cut tin chain hanging sign: $12,100.
- A Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. firearms poster: $11,000
- A porcelain Murad Turkish Cigarettes two-sided flange sign: $10,450
- A Y.B. Cigars cast-iron cigar lighter in the shape of a steer: $9,350.
- A Falstaff self-framed tin sign: $9,350
- A bicycle discount wheel cigar trade stimulator: $8,800
- An Enterprise coffee grinder, No. 9 (Philadelphia): $8,250
- A Wave Crest tobacco jar with lid: $7,200.

Showtime Auction Services’ next big sale will be held the weekend of October 10-12, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich. The auction will feature The Sandy Rosnick Collection, as well as other selected estate items. Sold will be tobacciana; country store; soda fountain; general store; saloon; gambling; arcade; coin-op; advertising; showcases; fixtures; furniture; barber shop memorabilia; vintage toys; banks; salesman samples; Western Americana; glass; and more.

To learn more about Showtime Auction Services, click on www.showtimeauctions.com.