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.

Some current live auctions for Mechanical Banks on eBay:

bank (Category: Mechanical Banks ): bank (Category: Mechanical Banks )

• VINTAGE ANTIQUE “PROFESSOR PUG FROGS GREAT BICYCLE FEAT” BANK c 1875 COPY

US $88.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 7:50:35 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• Antique Black Americana Cast Iron Jolly Black Man Bank N/R

US $100.99 (2 Bids) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 7:50:38 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• AUTHENTIC BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE TAMMANY CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANK . . . . Boss Tweed

US $69.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 9:25:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• two cast iron banks. Both work but missing plug to hold coins in

US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 9:49:41 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• 1920 ‘s STYLE GAS PUMP REPLICA BANK – INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER Lmtd. Ed. Gearbox

US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 10:32:29 PST Buy It Now for only: US $60.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

• Mechanical Spise a mule ” jocky” cast iron Bank

US $483.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 12:40:05 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• Monopoly Train Collector Bank 1996 Hasbro Inc – Mechanical – Cast Iron

US $74.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 13:00:11 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• Original William Tell Mechanical Bank

US $800.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 13:45:12 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• Cast Iron Butting Buffalo Book of Knowledge Mechanical bank

US $69.99 (11 Bids) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 14:08:28 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

• ORIGINAL & AUTHENTIC MUSICAL & Mechanical Cast Iron Crank Bank…WATCH THE VIDEO

US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 14:15:13 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Some current live auctions for Toy Banks on eBay:

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Khristi Zimmeth: Trash or treasure?

“My grandmother was getting ready to sell this quilt in a garage sale for a very small amount,” Lori Matthes of Monroe remembers. “I saw the quilt and told her that I wanted it and not to sell it. She told me very little about it other than that the squares it is made from were given away with cigarettes. The squares are from various countries and have Nebo cigarettes stamped at the bottom of each one.

…”(David McCarron) I’m not sure where this is at the moment in the collectibles curve,” he said. “I’d protect it and be careful to stabilize it so there’s no deterioration.”

He appraised the piece at $300-$500, much more than the price her grandmother almost put on it. ”

Read the Full Story >>

RARE COMBINATION CIGAR-TIP CUTTER / TRADE STIMULATOR BRINGS $60,500 AT SHOWTIME AUCTION’S SALE OF THE JIM CATE COLLECTION

(Ann Arbor, Mich.) – An extremely rare cigar-tip cutter and trade stimulator sold for $60,500 at a sale of items from the Jim Cate Collection held April 20-22 by Showtime Auction Services, based in Chino, Calif. The auction was held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich. Prices quoted include a buyer’s premium (10% for cash or check, 13% for a credit card).

“The sale was a huge success and everybody had a great time,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “Advertising signs especially did very well, with many examples hammering for over $10,000.” Mr. Eckles said more than 1,700 lots changed hands over the course of the three days. Total sales grossed $2.1 million. Approximately 450 people were in attendance.

Jim Cate is an avid collector and long-time resident of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. His lifetime accumulation of country store and advertising items comprised a museum inside The Penny Candy Store in Coeur d’Alene. “The store was in an old bank building,” Mr. Eckles pointed out. “Two of the back walls were roped off and set up like a country store, to showcase Mr. Cate’s massive collections.”

Additional consignments were secured that complemented Mr. Cate’s offerings. “The things Jim didn’t collect much – like coin-op, trays, toys and banks – were what we sought out, from a variety of quality estates and other sources,” Mr. Eckles said. “Everything was high-end merchandise, and almost all of it was fresh to the market. Collectors had a field day. Three field days, to be exact.”

The cigar-tip cutter/trade stimulator is regarded as “the mother of all cigar-tip cutters.” It was featured in the Marshall Fey Slot Machine Book. When the user places his cigar tip into the top of the head to be clipped, a wheel is set into motion. The piece is one of only three known to exist, and was made more desirable by having the original marquee and dial. It was in overall fine working order.

Another item also sold for $60,500, to share top lot honors. It was an oak Regina musical china cabinet, one of only 13 made. Of those, only seven are accounted for, and of those, only two were made in quarter-sawn oak (as was the example sold). The bow front piece with stainless glass panel was in excellent, all-original condition and even included a set of discs for the 15″ Regina movement.

In other highlights:

- A salesman’s sample Hires Root Beer Dispenser, one of only two known, realized $55,000. The fact that it had no carrying case and exhibited some chips didn’t deter bidders who recognized it as a must-have for serious soda fountain collectors. The marble piece, in overall fine condition, stood just 12″ tall (the actual dispensers were 30″). The other known example sold for $70,000 twelve years ago.

- A Sleepy Eye flour tin embossed sign, in period wood frame, garnered a respectable $44,000. In overall excellent condition and measuring about 20″ x 24″, it had just a few minor scratches. Also, a rare Kelly Tires tin advertising sign, made in the 1920s, realized $31,200. The two-sided sign, measuring 24″ in diameter, was in near-mint condition and even had the original bracket.

- A Howard/Mills Uncle Sam grip tester, inviting customers to shake hands with Uncle Sam for a penny, hit $26,400. The cast-iron piece, a must-have for the dedicated arcade collector, featured a bust of Uncle Sam and a paper dial that registered the grasp strength of the user. It was perched on a nice oak stand, with a cast-iron base. The early 1900s machine had been professionally restored.

- An extremely rare Hood Tire Dealer two-sided die cut tin sign, measuring 11-1/2″ x 35″ and in excellent condition save for some minor rubs, soared to $24,000. Also, a Coca-Cola self-framed tin sign, dated 1905, went for $21,600. Anything from Coke’s early days is prized by collectors. This piece, in outstanding condition, featured a rendering of Lillian Nordice, a popular actress of the day.

- An M.K. Goetz Brewing Company self-framed tin sign, titled “Jerry’s Smile” and made in 1903 in St. Joseph, Mo., rose to $14,300. The 22-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ example showed only minor paint loss and scratches. Also, a Cream of Kentucky tin serving tray, made by the I. Trager Company of Cincinnati and one of the most desirable nude trays known, changed hands for a respectable $8,800.

- Also selling for $8,800 was a rare Shogun Mixture tobacco pocket tin. The piece, an honorable addition to even the most advanced collection, was made in 1910 by the Heeken Can Company. It had factory information on the bottom and a red lid. It was small, at just 3″ x 4-1/2″. Also, a baby rocker cradle bed sparked lively bidder activity before finally gaveling for $6,050.

- A Curtis Hawk pedal car airplane, made by American National and all original, measuring 49″ long, achieved $12,100. Also, a Fish Brothers salesman’s sample farm wagon, an exact model of the full-size farm wagon with shaved spoke wheels and a spring-supported seat, rolled away for $8,250. Made in Clinton, Iowa, the wonderful piece sported good paint, decals and pin-striping (40″ in length).

Showtime Auction Service’s next big sale will be held September 28-30, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Michaigan. Headlining the weekend event will be the Jim Main Collection. Mr. Main, now 94 years old and living in Yucaipa, Calif., collected rare advertising signs for over 50 years.

The auction will also feature a spectacular collection of DeLaval Cream Separator advertising signs, calendars and memorabilia; an equally impressive collection of padlocks and handcuffs; and one of the rarest collections of cash registers ever offered at auction, with several one-of-a-kinds. Also featured will be items from additional categories, such as drug store; general store; country store; soda fountain; veterinarian; barber shop; gambling; coin-op; slot machines; furniture; toys; banks; tins; fixtures; showcases; lighting; and more.

To learn more about Showtime Auction Services, you may log on to www.showtimeauctions.com. The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call Mike Eckles at (951) 453-2415. His e-mail address is MikEckles@aol.com.