Morphy Auctions' Las Vegas Sale Nabs $2.7M with Rare Americana
Event summary
- $2.7M grossed from Dec. 4-6 Las Vegas auction of 1,500+ lots with 23% buyer's premium.
- Top lot: $86,100 for restored Cretors Model D horse-drawn popcorn wagon (exceeded $60K estimate).
- Collection featured Ray Claridge’s Americana memorabilia and Peels’ antique advertising items.
- $49,200 paid for rare 9-foot Mr. Peanut fiberglass figure from Atlantic City Boardwalk.
The big picture
Morphy Auctions’ strong December performance underscores the resilience of niche collectibles markets, particularly Americana and vintage advertising. The sale’s success highlights growing collector interest in restored, historically significant items tied to early 20th-century consumer culture. With $2.7M in gross revenue, Morphy reinforces its role as a key player in high-end memorabilia auctions, competing directly with Sotheby’s and Heritage Auctions.
What we're watching
- Market Demand
- Whether high-value Americana collectibles can sustain current valuation momentum amid economic uncertainty.
- Auction Strategy
- How Morphy’s West Coast expansion impacts its positioning against East Coast auction houses.
- Collection Trends
- The pace at which celebrity-associated memorabilia (e.g., Claridge’s Hollywood ties) drives premium pricing.
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