We were honored to conduct the auction for the Bergeron Family and would like to thank the Family and all the bidders that participated. Below is an article originally written by the Auction Exchange.

“Early Marathon sign races to $3,250 with Rowley Auctions”

RAY, Mich. — The auction gods were smiling on Oct. 19 in Ray Township.

Rowley Auctions conducted the Bergeron Collection Auction in Ray, MI on-site on a warm beautiful sunny autumn day. A jovial crowd filled the auction area and after the obligatory announcements were made, the auction was underway promptly at 10 a.m.

An impressive assortment of antiques and collectibles crossed the block smoothly and efficiently thanks to Brian’s quick cadence and the skilled Ringmen who kept the items flowing.

Top lot was an impressive two-sided Marathon service station sign featuring the early marathon runner logo. The sign quickly sprinted to a bid of $3,250.

Sticking to gas and advertising items, an Eco Tireflator pedestal style air pump dialed up a final price of $1,300. It took $450 to snag the Martin & Schwartz (Maryland) gas pump in rough condition. A large rectangular porcelain one-sided MobilOil sign with the gargoyle logo advertising & Vacuum Oil Service made $975.

A scarce set of eight tall cylindrical oil bottles in their wire carrier hit $775. A metal Westinghouse Auto Bulbs display cabinet shined brightly at $265.

An unusual automotive piece was an assortment of Standard Oil Test Car Badges. The sequentially numbered badges sold choice-out with the first bidder taking number one for $280 and the back bidder taking the remaining five badges the second time around for $220 apiece. A porcelain Miller Tire flange sign rolled to bid off $150.

Other advertising signs and neon did well also: A tall door side tin embossed & Nu-Grape soda sign in very good condition effervesced to a final bid of $775.

A stamped metal outdoor Vernor Ginger Ale sign found a new owner for $500. A Smoke Clown Cigarettes flange sign filtered out a final price of $145. A 1960s Coca-Cola fishtail style sign poured out a $200 ending bid. An embossed tin Nehi Beverages sign made $150. A Cincinnati octagonal green neon clock circa 1930 with art deco hands made $600. A rectangular red neon clock marked Say It In Neon Co. Buffalo NY went for $400. Spinner clocks are eye-catching and very desirable, a Golden Guernsey spinner clock ticked up to a final bid of $650.

There was a good assortment of wheeled transportation for youths of all ages. An overview is as follows: A nice Cushman motor scooter scooted to an $850 bid. A 1950s Monarch bicycle with a Whizzer motor rolled to $650. Another converted motor bicycle was a 1960s Derby making $90. A cool 1950s boys Western Flyer Bike rode a wave of excitement to $575. 1950s Schwinn bike with enclosed tank cross member went to a happy bidder for $200. A 1960s Western Flyer with spring shock front fork went for $225.

For the smaller kids an impressive array of pedal cars filled the bill: Topping off the pedal cars was an AMF Tow Wrecker truck raising a $600 bid. A 1960s Skipper pedal boat left a nice wake selling for $325. An AMF 1960s pedal ice cream truck served up a $95 bid. A Vespa style scooter made $90. The classic 1960s John Deere pedal tractor plowed up a $125 final bid. A Murray 1950s Jet Flow Drive Woody Wagon was pedaled to an eager bidder for $110. A nice 1950 Buick Roadmaster style pedal car drove bidding up to $125.

For the smallest there were tricycles and wagons: A nice 1930s deco Elgin Racer tricycle hit $90. A stamped steel Coaster Craft wagon carted off a $150 bid. A cute 1960s ride-on Sealtest truck made $55. An original Soap Box Derby car sold for $150.

There was such an assortment space doesn’t allow for all of it but here are some more highlights in no particular order: An awesome mahogany Whittington Canterbury style grandfather clock with nine tubes, three weights and a large mercury pendulum and carrying a 1915 Pan-Am exposition recognition tag inside the door came to the block. The winning bidder chimed into the tune of $1,750. A #313 candy store size National brass cash register rang up an ending bid of $400. A 1930s five-cent Pace Comet slot machine (chock full of nickels) pulled $800.

A Marx 1960s tin Hi-Way Express truck rolled to $130. A clean Wyandotte hook and ladder fire truck fired off a hot $250 bid. A Keystone ride-on train engine chugged to $350.

A wall mount oak time clock by International Time Recording Co. punched up an ending bid of $165. An outstanding circa 1900 oak s-curve rolltop desk with matching arrow back swivel chair hit $700. A slant front oak secretary bookcase made $300. A circa 1905 oak hall tree with applied carving hit a high bid of $350. A tall tabletop brass Art Nouveau wind-up clock with a Nubian female wound up at $70. An ornate brass Victorian organ lamp shone brightly at $400. A circa 1910 brass and onyx banquet lamp made $100.

Rowley Auctions is a full-service auction company located in Attica, Michigan.

Contact us today (810) 724-4035 for all your Auction needs!