Consigned items from several estates and 342 bidders from four states converged on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds in Warsaw, Ind. Added to this mix were 40 absentee and phone bidders from an additional 16 states. The result was an exciting auction held by Mark and Chad Metzger. Furniture and primitive items dominated one end of the building while the other end was filled with smalls and advertising pieces. Also found were antique toys, fishing lures and decoys, milk bottles (many of local interest) lamps, and a smattering of household items.

One of the most interesting signs found was from the Highland Dairy in Athol, Mass. This sign was in the shape of a milk bottle with the main message being “Milk for Health.” It was enhanced with a cow’s head and also the message “We Make Our Own Ice Cream.” This highly collectible sign sold for $800. For those who do not want milk, there was a sign for Golden Orange with the message, “Thirsty – Just Whistle” and this one crossed the block for $70, and one for “Hires in Bottles” earned $90.

There were also several automotive-related signs.

A vertical sign with only Firestone on it found a final bid of $300.

Also part of the automotive-related items was a two-sided Veedol Motor Oil sign that sold for $85. Seven hundred dollars was the final bid for a Polarine sign. An advertising thermometer for Ex-Lax sold for $150.

Eliciting spirited bidding was a Golden Guernsey clock. Several bidders were interested in this piece which eventually saw a final bid of $1,600. Shortly after this another advertising clock, this was one for Polarine, crossed the block for $900. A Phillips 66 advertising clock sold for $475. All of the clocks had been plugged in to assure bidders that they were in running condition.

At one time windup toys could be found in almost every kid’s toy box. Now, these toys are found primarily in collections and usually those collections are owned by adults. Among the windup toys crossing the block were: a tin cart being pulled by a pair of mules, manufactured by Marx that sold for $90; and a windup Popeye carrying his birdcage that earned $270. A boat with Popeye manning the oars, this one a friction toy, sold for $50. For the collector of farm toys there was an Arcade Allis-Chalmers tractor along with the pull-behind wagon that crossed the block for $170.

You seldom see kids with their wagons sailing up and down the sidewalks anymore. You are more likely to see them in a battery-driven child’s ATV-type vehicle, a bike, or on a skateboard. At one time almost every little boy, and lots of little girls, had a wagon and used this to haul their stuff from one place to another or to race the little boy or girl down the street. A wagon from that era, a Burnham Coaster, brought back memories and a winning bid of $320. Another item that a little boy would like was the chain-driven pedal racecar that sold for $80.

If you felt inclined to set up your own barber shop you could have acquired a barber pole in running condition for $300 or an enamel one to place on the front of your place for $160.

A J&P Coats spool cabinet sold for $140. The Keen Kutter cabinet which would hold the Keen Kutter knife or hatchet or other such tool saw a final bid of $105. Instead of on a shelf, there used to be display racks for rifles and guns. The Remington display rack used for displaying rifles and shotguns sold for $400.

A slant-front desk sold for $145; a bookcase/secretary with a curved-glass door earned $170; and a step-back cupboard crossed the block for $300. An impressive set of Old Hickory bar stools will be at someone’s bar after attaining a final selling price of $360, and a heavily carved chair sold for $55.

Circa 1900, a tar over gunny sack goose decoy by Artel Lundoen sold for $70.

The variety of items ensured that most everyone’s interest could be satisfied. An interesting perpetual calendar for the Missouri Pacific Lines indicating times, for the trains sold for $90.

For one who was a Mason there was a 32nd degree Mason’s ring in gold that sold for $130; for the musician there was a cornet by Martin, Elkhart, Ind., or a trombone, each of which earned $30. Collectors of petroleum-related items were able to choose from a Texaco gas pump globe that sold for $375, a Sinclair Power-X gas pump globe that earned $375, a metal carrier with a set of Standard Oil oil bottles that crossed the block for $500; or oil cans from Shell and Sturdy that sold for $45 to $70.

A St. Clair lamp with a fringed shade and hand-painted glass base found a new owner for $325; a hanging lamp with a floral shade (unfortunately there was a crack in the shade) saw $105; a portrait lamp base sold for $70; and an electric lamp with a panel shade in green crossed the block for $70.

Among the pottery items a Roseville console bowl in the Bleeding Heart pattern sold for $130; a Hull two-handle vase saw $80;

Always a desirable item, a Singer Featherweight sewing machine, complete with its case sold for $300.

An Elgin pocket watch from 1901 received a bid of $305; $110 was the winning bid for a cigarette machine.

A collector of fire memorabilia was able to add a fire call box to his/her collection for the winning bid of $120. For his/her child there was a pedal fire truck that sold for $60.

Chad and Mark Metzger handled most of the auctioneering duties, one in each ring. With the assistance of Time Holmes, Wade Frantz, Brent Ruckman and Larry Evans attendees were treated to a brisk, efficient auction. Metzger Auction Company has been providing professional auction, appraisal and real estate services for more than 30 years. They handle all types of auctions from real estate to farm equipment to antiques and household and also provide appraisal services. If you are considering having an auction or are in need of appraisal services and would like to know more about the services they provide, you can contact them at 260-982-8064 (Mark Metzger) or 260-982-9050 (Chad).

Watch for their ads in the Auction Exchange and Collectors News or check out their website at log on to their company website at www.metzgerauction.com.