Nov/Dec 2022 edition
Issue #25 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
​Written by Sharon Spurlin

“Go big or go home.” This phrase may be heard often, but it’s rarely executed well. Few are willing to step up in a sizable way in any business – and perhaps less in the relative stepchild of the classic car world, automotive collectibles. But Richmond Auctions has done just that. In less than two years they have indeed gone big in this space, finding and selling an incredible number of investment-grade advertising pieces, including this record-breaking 48-inch Musgo Gasoline sign.

An “attic find,” much like a “barn find” in the classic car world, is where mint-condition signs are often found. This one spent most of its life lounging away in an attic somewhere in Michigan, just waiting to be discovered. When this NOS (New Old Stock) sign was found, Dan Matthews and Joey Whiteside from The Authentication Company were brought in and rated it at a pristine 9.5 and 9.25. This was the highest rating for a Musgo Gasoline sign ever, and Jordan Richmond knew in his heart that records were about to be broken.

When this sign was about to be auctioned, the highest hammer price known for an automotive advertising sign worldwide stood at $400,000. What could this one do? The day before the live auction, the Musgo had already reached $410,000 through website bidding – and excitement was building. Calls, e-mails, texts, social media posts and comments were reaching a frenzy. Then, on auction day, August 27, 2022, four major collectors vied for ownership. One dropped out at $900,000, and another dropped out at $1,100,000. The two remaining bidders slugged it out until the hammer came down at $1,350,000, plus buyer’s premium of 15%. The final winner would ultimately be paying $1,552,500 to hang this rare sign in his garage!
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Makes one wonder what could be hidden away in your own attic…?!? Richmond Auctions is planning its next auction for February 2023, and is currently on the hunt for quality consignments. More info at RichmondAuctions.com or 864-630-1137.

Sharon Spurlin
AutoMobiliaResource@gmail.com

An auspicious beginning at Ivy art school in Pittsburg, PA, followed by several jobs with prestigious art studios, led Tony to start his own graphic business in 1976, which by 1982 became a full-fledged studio with 9 employees.  In 1992, he retired and closed up shop. At that time, he decided to rekindle his love of work with automotive art. 
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Tony has always loved cars, and he knows about them. His sweet spot is the pre 1950s period, particularly the American and European Art Deco cars of the 1930s. When he finally retired from the business world, he went back to making his sculptures, and taking them to local shows. To his surprise, they sold quite well and that prompted him to expand his horizons and his offerings. Today as an AFAS member his work is displayed at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Hershey, and Cavallino. All prestigious motorsports venues.  

His first works were done with corrugated cardboard and his finished pieces often looked like highly polished plastic. He has since moved on to wood and stainless steel. Tony says, “I like to make automotive art, that people just ‘gotta have’ when they see it.  It immediately speaks to them, and they can’t walk away!

Some of Tony’s sculptures sell for as much as $3,500 and others, which he does for the kids that come to the shows he attends go for as little as $25. All of his work is “one-off” originals. His latest creations use actual license plates within the sculpture, like the one featured on this issue’s cover.  He hunts down old license plates with patina and rust for character.  If you have old license plates to donate – he’d love to have them. 

If you want a customized license plate sculpture with your favorite plates or a particular name, color, phrase, etc., he can do that too, in either racing or touring version.  Prices for customized pieces range from $1,500 to $3,500

No matter the cost, all of Tony Sikorski’s work has the weight of quality, and is highly prized by collectors of automobilia.  

​Reach Tony at tonysikorski77@aol.com, 724-884-3782 in Pennsylvania, or go visit AutoArtGallery.com, to view more of his artwork, looking under AFAS Members.

​Peter Bourassa