BOULDER, Colo. – Attention time travelers and antiquities collectors: No boarding pass is required for Artemis Gallery’s May 21 journey to past civilizations. All that’s required is an Internet connection and you’ll soon be browsing a fascinating auction catalog filled with more than 400 choice Classical, Near Eastern and Far Eastern antiquities; plus Pre-Columbian and ethnographic art.

 Precious metals will be presented in a variety of forms, including decorative and monetary. Taking the spotlight in this category is a selection of beautiful Viking jewelry made in northern Europe in the 9th-12th centuries CE.

Viking silver bracelet, northern Europe, 9th-12th century CE, found in Great Britain, estimate $2,000-$3,000.

“Fine jewelry was worn by both men and women as a sign of status within the Viking culture,” note Teresa Dodge, managing director of Artemis Gallery. “Viking craftsmen used high-carat gold and very pure silver that stood the test of time, as you can see from the items in our auction.” A braided ring composed of two 22K gold wires twisted together, hammered and welded at the terminals exhibits traditional Viking techniques. Weighing 5.2 grams, the ring is estimated at $5,000-$7,000. A pair of high-karat gold hoop earrings adorned with inverted pyramids is similarly estimated at $5,000-$7,000, while an elegant twisted silver bracelet with coiled terminals is expected to make $2,000-$3,000. All three items were discovered in Great Britain and have been held in private collections for decades. Exhibiting extremely fine artistry and detail work, a circa-19th-century Russian icon depicting Saint Nicholas is stamped “BE” and “84” on its silver oklad (cover). It comes to Artemis Gallery from a Texas private collection and carries a $2,000-$3,000 estimate.

A historically important medieval dagger from the Battle of Towton (1461, English Wars of the Roses) is made from iron and bronze with a wood handle, and has retained all of its elements. The formidable 14½-inch-long battle weapon is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.  From an earlier era, a circa 158-150 BCE silver tetradrachm from Macedonia features the head of Artemis on obverse and monograms, a thunderbolt and a club with oak leaves on the reverse. Estimate: $700-$900.

Apple-green jade adornment, 6th-9th century CE, estimate 4,000-$6,000.

Many exceptional Asian antiquities will be offered, including a Chinese Qing Dynasty bronze bell, $4,000-$6,000; and a late 18th/early 19th century Tibetan thangka painted with the lineage tree for the Gelugpa sect, ex Sarkisian Gallery, $5,000-$7,000. An extraordinary 1833 (Edo period) Sumiyoshi school Shunga scroll contains 19 unrelated depictions of sexual tableaux, e.g., seductions, couples and groups engaged in sexual activity, etc. The scroll is published in Erotic Aspects of Japanese Culture by L. Gichner, and is estimated at $5,000-$8,000. A wonderfully varied selection of Pre-Columbian art is led by a Mayan apple-green jade adornment, circa 6th-9th century CE, with the carved visage of a Mayan ruler or lord wearing an ornamental headdress. Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, the artwork is presented on a custom stand and has a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

Rare and unusual, two 48-inch-long Oceanic (New Guinea or Molucca Islands) animal-skin scrolls are both pictorial and narrative in nature. Both date to the 17th or 18th century and will be offered as one lot with a $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

Bidders may participate in Artemis Gallery’s May 21, 2015 auction live online, by phone (please reserve phone line in advance) or by leaving an absentee bid that will be lodged confidentially and competitively on their behalf. The sale will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time and will be conducted simultaneously on three bidding platforms: ArtemisGalleryLIVE.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. For additional information about any item in the auction, call Teresa Dodge at 720-502-5289 or email teresa@artemisgallery.com.

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions will present 839 lots of antique advertising in its March 28th specialty auction. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee or live online via Morphy Live.

Rare, large 1909 Coca-Cola cardboard poster
est. $6,000-$12,000

Among the main categories are Coca-Cola and soda pop signs and other advertising, rare tobacco tins and petroliana. A featured highlight is the selection of high-end soda fountain syrup dispensers, led by Lot 451, an Earl Hires platter with matching bowl that supports a nicely decorated globe-shape dispenser. The suite is marked “Mettlach,” referring to a city in Germany where Villeroy & Boch porcelain was produced. Offered together with three early, tall mugs with an identical motif, the set is believed to be the only known example. “We think the set originally might have been loaned to a successful soda fountain operator. We don’t think it’s a type of item that was ever produced commercially,” said Dan Morphy, president and founder of Morphy Auctions. The lot estimate is $75,000-$125,000.

Wool’s Cherrie Smash syrup dispenser est. $40,000-$60,000

Another stunning antique syrup dispenser is Lot 493, produced for Wool’s Cherrie Smash. Decorated with appealing graphics in bold colors, this may also be a sole survivor. In excellent-plus to near-mint condition, it is expected to reach $40,000-$60,000 on auction day. Lot 515, a circa-1900 Pepsi-Cola ceramic syrup urn with gorgeous Art Nouveau decoration, stands 18 inches high and is estimated at $30,000-$50,000. No soda pop collection would be complete without representation of the king of soft drinks, Coca-Cola. Morphy’s is known for its record-setting prices achieved from the sale of Coke advertising, but collectors can find beautiful examples at all price points. An especially nice choice for the mid-range collector is Lot 278, a 1909 Coca-Cola cardboard poster. Featuring a model holding a glass of Coke, the rare and impressively sized poster is 55½ inches long and is estimated at $6,000-$12,000.

Earl Hires syrup dispensing bowl
est. $75,000-$125,000

A classic in the soda-pop collecting world is Lot 376, a 1910 Allens Red Tame Cherry Red cut-out sign with metal easel support. Heavily embossed to render depth, this great-looking sign depicts a young girl and boy enjoying their beverages at a table emblazoned: “Drink Allens Red Tame Cherry and you’ll smile too.” Estimate: $800-$1,400. Vibrant and appealing, a curved porcelain sign advertising Red-Top Flour shows a young boy dressed in knickerbockers, jacket and cap, climbing over a fence. In excellent-plus condition, it measures 22 by 16 inches and is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Morphy’s Saturday, March 28, 2015 auction will be held at the company’s gallery at 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live, LiveAuctioneers and Proxibid. Start time is 9 a.m. Eastern.

Preview the entire auction inventory daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or from 8-9 a.m. on auction day, prior to the start of the sale. For additional information on any item or to reserve a phone line for live bidding on auction day, call 717-335-3435 or email info@morphyauctions.com.

Visit Morphy Auctions online at www.morphyauctions.com.

Caille Puck 5-cent upright slot machine with music, pre-1900, stocked with great American tunes, plays well. Estimate: $18,000-$22,000.

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s Oct. 4-5 Premier Advertising & Coin-Op auction contains more than 1,100 top-quality lots from several major collections. There are dozens of early coin-op, slot, penny arcade and pinball machines in the sale; as well as 60+ lots of superb tobacco tins from the David Hirsch collection, and one of the most comprehensive Moxie collections ever amassed, that of the late Jan Miller Bacci of Boston.

The Hirsch collection includes many of the finest known tobacco tins. “All of them are in beautiful condition, and some are believed to be the only ones of their type in existence,” said Dan Morphy, CEO of Morphy Auctions.

Lot 8, a Century Tobacco flat pocket tin is estimated at $1,000-$1,500; while Lot 11, a pre-1900 Old Abe Chewing Tobacco flat tin is estimated at $1,200-$1,600. Images of American Indian chiefs adorn Lot 7, a Prairie Flower Chewing Tobacco tin, $1,000-$2,000; and Lot 12, an extremely rare Kipawa Cigar tin, $2,000-$4,000. Perhaps the star of the collection is Lot 13, an Alcazar round cigar tin picturing a world famous racehorse from which the brand took its name. Near mint, it is expected to make $6,000-$8,000.

Over 150 lots of soda pop advertising will be available, including many coveted, early pieces promoting Coca-Cola and its little-known offspring – Coca-Cola Chewing Gum.  Launched around the turn of the 20th century, Coca-Cola Chewing Gum wasn’t a commercial success for the Atlanta-based company.

1914-1916 Coca-Cola Gum cardboard cutout with Dutch boy image, Estimate: $15,000-$25,000.

Lot 459, a 1914-1916 cardboard cutout sign depicting a Dutch boy running in his clogs and clutching an oversize pack of Coca-Cola Peppermint Pepsin Gum is another Petretti book example. Vibrant and colorful, the 29 by 22in sign is described in Morphy’s catalog as “important and rare.” It is expected to make $15,000-$25,000 on auction day.

Saturday’s session opens with the third offering of occupational shaving mugs from the collection of the late Ray Jones and his wife, Theresa. Ray Jones’ navy career is reflected in many of the mugs he acquired, including Lot 641, shipbuilder, $800-$1,200; Lot 702, deep sea diver, $2,000-$3,000; and Lot 736, USS Philadelphia warship, $1,200-$1,500.

Coin-op and arcade machines will follow, with top entries including two prized Caille machines: Lot 795, a pre-1900 Puck 5-cent upright slot, $18,000-$22,000; and Lot 760, a 5-cent Bullfrog upright slot, $25,000-$30,000. The selection also includes many arcade games of skill and 15+ pinballs from the 1950s/60s. A Pace FOK slot machine is actually new/old stock and retains its original shipping crate. The coinage for this machine is the French franc, which is the same size as a US quarter. The machine left Chicago in the late 1930s, bound for Shanghai. It made it as far as Paris, but the outbreak of World War II prevented it from ever making it to China. It is estimated at $7,000-$8,000.

Several vintage jukeboxes stand ready to create lively mood music for the auction. Lot 838, a Wurlitzer Model 81 on “Mae West” stand, is estimated at $12,000-$15,000. It will be followed by a Wurlitzer Model 800, $7,000-$9,000.

Rare Planter’s point-of-purchase copper and steel peanut roaster topped with papier-mache figure of Mr. Peanut, design introduced in 1920.

Mr. Peanut will take his turn in the auction spotlight, as well, with Lot 825B, a 1920s peanut roaster topped by a papier-mache figure of the iconic dancing goober, leading the Planters selection. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000. Lot 825A, a fully functional Hamilton stand-on scale, 44½in tall, with a fantastic painted iron figure of Mr. Peanut, could weigh in at $7,000-$10,000.

Within the 100+ general store lots are numerous hunting and fishing-related advertising signs. Lot 922, a 1907 Winchester paper-on-linen poster realistically depicts four hunting dogs, $3,500-$5,000. Lot 920, a 1910 cardboard cut-out sign with the image of a shell dog and two quail, could realize $2,500-$4,000.

Morphy’s Oct. 4-5 Premier Advertising & Coin-Op Auction will commence at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on both days. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live, Artfact and LiveAuctioneers.

Morphy Auctions is located at 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517. Tel. 717-335-3435 or e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. View the auction catalog online at www.morphyauctions.com, www.artfact.com or www.liveauctioneers.com.

HERSHEY, Pa – “Toys, toys and more toys,” said Ronald M. Vastola, Outreach Coordinator of USA Theatres, producers of this weekend’s exciting, new event called the American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show.

“There will be an impressive timeline of toys and collectibles on exhibit, dating from the late 1800’s to the late 1980’s,” Vastola said. “Exhibitors are already loading up their vehicles, in preparation of this weekend’s event,” he added.

The show will feature numerous dealers buying, selling and trading all sorts of antique toys and collectibles, such as tin toys, cast iron toys, mechanical toys, banks, character toys, action figures, playsets, model kits, dolls, diecast vehicles, lunchboxes, advertising items, posters, rock-n-roll memorabilia, penny arcades, slot machines, trade stimulators, fortune teller machines and jukeboxes, according to USA Theatres.

“This show is so diverse that you will find anything from hand-painted turn of the century toys to vintage Beatles memorabilia,” Vastola said.

The American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show is set to debut this Saturday, March 3, at the Eastern Civic Center, located at 90 Harding Road in Old Greenwich, Connecticut (only 40 minutes via train from Grand Central Station NYC).

General admission into the event is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Early buyers are welcome Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. and also Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. for $20 per person each day. Parking is free.

A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase at the show, provided by Joemomma Foods, Inc. of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit the website, www.usatheatres.com/conventions

For hotel accommodations, attendees are encouraged to contact the Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, the official hotel of the American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show. The hotel is conveniently located just 1.4 miles, 4 minutes from the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

Mention the show to receive a special room rate of just $79 per night (promo code: AMA). The hotel can be reached by visiting their website www.hiltonstamfordhotel.com or by calling them directly at (203) 967-2222.

1932 5c Mills Eagle slot machine that pays out in both coins and mints. Image courtesy Mark Schlesinger, dealer

HERSHEY, Pa – The economy is thriving amongst toy and coin-op collectors, according to USA Theatres, producers of the upcoming American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show, who just announced that buyers will be coming from overseas to seek out American made antique toys and coin-operated machines.

“We have received several emails from collectors overseas who will be attending the show,” said Ronald M. Vastola, Outreach Coordinator of USA Theatres. “Buyers will be coming from the UK and Netherlands”.

Buyers will have the unique opportunity to acquire extremely rare, hand-painted turn of the century toys, not only made in the US, but imported from France and Germany by renowned toy dealer Lionel Fournier, owner of France Antique Toys.

If what was said, so far, doesn’t impress you, just check out some of the recently revealed dealers who will be exhibiting at the event.

Alan Green, owner of American Jazz Antique Toys, will be bringing some of his finest inventory of merchandise, followed by Mike Caffarella, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who will be offering early American tin toys, mechanical toys and banks.

Additional exhibitors will include Mark Schlesinger, of New Jersey, who will be bringing some antique penny arcades, occupying 16 ft. of exhibit space with Ken Schnoll, owner of Antiques Slots, who will be offering an array of antique slot machines and other coin-op related items.

If this still doesn’t impress you, here’s something to chew on… Rich Brinkos (a/k/a The Gumball Guy) will be loading up his truck with all sorts of antique and vintage gumball machines, while exhibiting next to Larry Garland, who will occupying 24 ft. of exhibit space to accommodate antique jukeboxes, pinballs, trade stimulators and other rare toys and collectibles.

Exhibitor Bob Adams, of Connecticut, will also be occupying 24 ft. of exhibit space to display antique amusement items, advertising items, and coin-ops, to name just a few categories.

A new addition to the show is exhibitor Tom Sage, Sr., of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who is one of the best-known antique toy dealers in the world.

More quality exhibitors from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, who specialize in antique and vintage collectibles, have responded to the show; including Ken Farrell, owner of Just For Kids Nostalgia, who is interested in utilizing 16 feet of exhibit space.

Those who are seeking vintage toys and memorabilia will be able to choose from a variety of dealers, including Wex Rex, Heroes Unlimited, and Milo Toys & Collectables.

“Exhibitor space inside the auditorium of the Civic Center is sold out,” Vastola said. “We are now expanding into a second exhibit hall”.

The American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show is set to debut on Saturday, March 3, at the Eastern Civic Center, situated within walking distance from the Metro-North Train Station in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

General admission into the event is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Early buyers are welcome Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. and also Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. for $20 per person each day. Parking is free.

Attendees are encouraged to come hungry, in order to taste a variety of food and beverages offered for sale by Joemomma Foods, Inc. of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“Joemomma Foods of Hershey will be offering dinner on Friday evening and breakfast and lunch on Saturday,” Vastola said. “This will be a nice treat for everyone,” he added.

Exhibitors wishing to set up inside the second hall of the Eastern Civic Center, should contact USA Theatres at (717) 542-0567 or email usatheatres@yahoo.com

You may also visit the website, www.usatheatres.com/conventions

For hotel accommodations, everyone is encouraged to contact the Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, the official hotel of the American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show. The hotel is conveniently located just 1.4 miles, 4 minutes from the Eastern Civic Center.

Mention the show to receive a special room rate of just $79 per night (promo code: AMA). The hotel can be reached by visiting their website www.hiltonstamfordhotel.com or by calling them directly at (203) 967-2222.

1.27.12 Round Top, Texas –  When the Marburger Farm Antique Show burst onto a Texas cow pasture in the fall of 1997, everyone knew that something unique was being branded in Round Top. Halfway between Houston and Austin, dealers called the new show “a breath of fresh air.” Shoppers just said, “Here we come!”

But no one knew the disasters of nature and history that the twice-yearly show would face for its first 30 shows over the last 15 years.

On Tuesday April 3 through Saturday April 7, 2012, the 30^th edition of the Marburger Farm Antique Show will feature over 350 national and international exhibitors, with a crowd of shoppers from across the US and around the world. “Through rain, sleet, snow or 100 degree weather, here they come,” says Tallahassee, FL exhibitor Carol O’Steen. She could have added: through 9/11, through Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, when gas hit $5, when the banks melted down, through two wars and with one show opening in the worst week in the US economy in generations.

Why has the Marburger Farm Antique Show been able to flourish during such a difficult era in America?

O’Steen continues, “In spite of all that has happened in the world, people still need a break. Marburger Farm is a kind of retreat. Some years people may buy more than other years, but they still come. People look forward to coming to Marburger Farm all year.” The Marburger Farm site includes 43 rolling acres, Lake Marburger, a herd of Texas Longhorns and ten huge tents and twelve historic buildings, jam- packed with antique dealers and select artisans . At the spring show O’Steen will offer over 600 sterling napkin rings and early American coin silver, including rare southern coin silver. “My goal at Marburger is that each person will take time to relax and enjoy the moment—and go home with packages and wonderful memories.”

Exhibitor John Gray of Magnolia Pearl reflects that “There is a soul to the people who converge twice a year at Marburger Farm. It’s the spirit of these people coming together— all of that creativity from Europe, from both coasts of the US and from far and wide. It brings an unselfish, uncommon energy to come together in spite of the world’s situation. And, in spite of all that has happened, our show at Marburger has grown stronger every time. Shoppers don’t fly in from all over the world unless the show is outstanding —and Marburger Farm is outstanding.”

Magnolia Pearl is one of the original artisan exhibitors at Marburger, bringing old-world inspired clothing and accessories with Magnolia Pearl flair and creativity. “For a lot of Marburger customers,” Gray concludes, “this show is their own artistic expression of who they are. It’s being in an environment where you are seen as an equal, as a like-minded person, oriented to the community of antiques and beauty.”

Judy Hill of J Hill Designs agrees. “It takes strong people to create something that gives other people an outlet in the face of disasters. Antique shows are a stress reliever. We are a community, an antiques community. We love to be together and we love what we do. We love the people who come because we all have this in common: we connect over antiques. I don’t even call them customers. They are people who love the same things that I do.” Hill will offer “soft industrial” antiques in metal and wood, plus an arbor and other garden antiques, with lots of white for a spring palette.

Other reasons for the success of Marburger Farm have to do with its original founding by veteran dealers John Sauls and Ed Gage. As Sauls puts it, “We wanted a top-quality show that was focused on taking care of vendors. Our thought was: If vendors are happy, customers will be happy.” Sauls’ defining goal for Marburger Farm? “Quality.”

In 2007 Margaret Marsh Mebus and her children, their spouses and six grandchildren purchased the show. Marburger took on a more family-friendly feel but the word “quality” continues to guide Marburger Farm —quality, now, on a rather massive scale. Jerry Watkins of Sniktaw Antiques in Gurney, IL says, “Marburger Farm has such an eclectic and quality mix of antiques that it appeals to a wide range of people of all ages. Anyone who is interested in anything can find something at Marburger Farm.  And, even in economic downtimes, quality still sells. Plus, you can find things there that will be nowhere else.”

Michael Roberts of Roberts Antiques in Homer, MI lifts up the customer-friendly vibe at Marburger Farm. “We do shows all over America and Marburger Farm is the only place that is consistent, show in, show out. Parking is easy, not a lot of hassle. And Marburger has something for everyone. We have a wide price range.” Roberts will alight in Texas with antiques from France and Italy, plus art, garden antiques, lighting and wicker.

There are other reasons for the success of the Marburger Farm Antique Show: the overflowing booth spaces that allow more space for so much more merchandise than at other shows; the long three day set up that gives dealers the time to bring in this unusually massive amount of merchandise. Then there are those stunning booth displays that are now the norm at Marburger Farm. And then there is that strong Texas economy and all those store owners…interior designers…and moms and dads and kids and multiple generations who enjoy being together in the midst of antiques, history and beauty. And who enjoy Marburger cupcakes.

Why does Marburger Farm flourish? Lowell Dunn, Canterbury Court, Corsicana, TX echoes the theme: “It’s the excellent mix and quality of the antiques. Even with all that goes on in the world, people still want comfortable homes and to be surrounded with things that they love. That’s what Marburger Farm dealers offer.” Dunn takes great effort to offer it, traveling to England to unearth pottery, Staffordshire, majolica and furniture with an English country home style.

Ashley Ferguson, co-owner of the show, looks up from her computer. “We just had an e-mail from a couple in New Zealand, wanting to purchase early buying tickets.” For its 30^th show, Marburger Farm customers will come from across oceans, they will come by SUV, pick up and by limos, sometimes they come by horseback or helicopter. “In spite of all that has happened in the world, we have been very fortunate and feel very blessed,” says Ferguson. “We seek out the most creative dealers and artisans from all over the world and they scour the planet for the best antiques on earth. And then it’s all gathered in one place, for only a precious few days —-in a unique setting that can only be Texas.”

So come to the Marburger Farm Antique Show this spring and help celebrate our 30^th show. We’ll have a full-service cafe, endless supplies of ice tea and lemonade, wi-fi, air-conditioned restrooms, daily cash drawings, cold beer and frozen “Marburitas.” And, if our luck holds out, we’ll also have bluebonnets.

The Marburger Farm Antique Show opens for Early Buying with $25 admission on Tuesday April 3 from 10 am through 2 pm, when regular $10 admission begins. One admission is good all week, with the show running on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturday, April 7, from 9 am to 4 pm. Advance tickets and group tickets are available.

Antiques, vintage and artisan creations will include American, French, English, Continental, architectural, fine art, jewelry, textiles, mid-century modern, silver, western, garden, painted furniture, early Texas and more. A portion of the spring show proceeds will benefit the Texas Children’s Hospital. Parking is free and admission is free for children 15 and under. Dogs on a leash are always welcome.

See information on vendors, the new Marburger Farm mobile app, travel, maps, lodging, on-site shipping and special events at www.roundtop-marburger.com or call Rick McConn at 800-999-2148 or Ashley Ferguson at 800-947-5799.