Miller & Miller will Hold Back-to-Back Online Auctions June 9th (Toys) and June 10th (Petroliana, Advertising, Coin-Ops)

2024-04-19 12:28:04 Art & Entertainment

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New Hamburg, ON, Canada, May 25, 2023 -- Fresh off the highly successful sale of the Jean-Marc and Danielle Belzile collection held in Quebec on May 13th, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. will jump right back into the fray with a pair of online auctions on back to back days, the first on June 9th dedicated entirely to toys and next on June 10th featuring petroliana, advertising and coin-ops.

Headlining the two-day event will be a pair of important collections, both being offered on Day 2. One is the Linden Johnson collection, featuring a treasure trove of petroliana and general store advertising, including Bowser and Wayne gas pumps and porcelain dealer signs, Coca-Cola and Orange-Crush tin signs, and a wonderful assortment of Canadian general store advertising.

The other is the Dr. Don Gutoski collection, which features the finest assortment of Kuntz Brewery advertising to hit the market in some time. Also included is a mind-blowing lineup of Wurlitzer jukeboxes and speakers, ranging from the rare Models 71 and 61 (with stands), his 1015, and three auxiliary speakers, including models 4007 and 4008.

Also included in the Dr. Gutoski collection is an assortment of coin-op weigh scales, mutoscopes, and seldom seen strength testers like the Caille Brothers' grip and lung strength tester. Other highlights include a fresh to the market collection of clean Canadian push bars, two Frontenac brewery corner signs, and rare vending machines.

Leading the selection of Wurlitzer jukeboxes and wall speakers is the Model 71 tabletop jukebox on a stand, made in America circa 1940-1941. It?s mechanically functioning and is a restored example with original toned catalin inserts and a refinished case and trim. It sits on top of a rare, restored original Wurlitzer model 810 stand (est. $14,000-$16,000).

All estimates quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars:

There are more than 50 pieces of Kuntz Brewery advertising on Day 2. Three of the lots are in the top 15 for pre-sale estimates, at $12,000-$15,000 apiece. They are as follows:

- A Kuntz Park Brewery Waterloo factory scene beer tray (Canadian. 1900), lithographed tin, with vibrant colors and a rare factory scene (L. Kuntz Park Brewery, Waterloo, Ontario). 11 inches by 15 inches, in very clean condition.

- A Kuntz Park Brewery, Waterloo factory scene sign (Canadian. 1890s), lithographed tin, a rare Kuntz Lager sign with factory scene, embossed lettering and design. From Waterloo, Ontario. Housed in a 28 ? inch by 22 inch frame.

- A Kuntz Park Brewery, Waterloo factory scene sign (Canadian, 1890s), lithographed tin. Rare Kuntz Lager sign with embossed lettering and design. From Waterloo, Ontario. In good, as found condition. In a 28 ? inch by 22 inch frame.

The Johnson collection boasts the best in Coca-Cola, including a Vendo 44 machine, rare verticals and a large single-sided porcelain building sign (?Drink Coca-Cola, Delicious and Refreshing?), made in Canada in 1935. The monumental, 4 foot by 8 foot sign is the scarcer, earlier version of Canada?s iconic sign of the same size (est. $12,000-$15,000).

A Frontenac Brewery ?Buccaneer? porcelain corner sign (Quebec, 1900s), made to be mounted to a corner of a building, 48 inches tall by 10 ? inches long, with good gloss, has an estimate of $9,000-$12,000. Also, a White Rose 10-gallon visible gasoline pump (American, 1920s), with a reproduction globe, a painted steel body with original glass cylinder and repainted and decaled to White Rose colors, should hit est. $4,000-$6,000.

Antique strength testers are surefire conversation starters. Up for bid is a Caille Brothers 1-cent Mascot combination grip and lung strength tester in a wood case with cast iron feet and panels (American, circa 1904-1905), 84 inches tall (est. $8,000-$12,000); and a Globe Amusement Lighthouse grip strength tester (American, 1924), featuring lights and a horn that sound when the player reaches the top level of the game (est. $7,000-$9,000).

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the June 9th and June 10th auctions, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.