The Roy Gay collection provided a treasure trove of delights for railroadiana collectors in Waco, Texas over the weekend (March 10 and 11).
Gay's superb assemblage of artefacts connected with the railways of the American Old West featured more than 2,000 items.
Among the highlights was an original MKT (Missouri Kansas Texas line) porcelain sign from around 1890-1930, which sold comfortably within its estimate for $2,250.
A fine collection of conductors' caps also featured, with specimens selling for between $100 and $400.
An extremely rare cast-iron stove made in Louisville, Kentucky, embossed with the word "Caboose" was another standout lot, selling for $2,000, some $750 above its $1,250 estimate.
 A Missouri Kansas Texas line railroad sign sold for $2,250 |
The collection was called "the worst case of a passionate collector I've ever seen", by auctioneer Scott Franks.
Gay collected all manner of items connected with the railways of the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th, even a whole station.
"When he retired, Mr Gay bought the old railway station at Troup, Texas, and literally had it moved to his east Texas farm," Franks explains.
"Later, Mr Gay spent $35,000 to restore the station, which is where he displayed his remarkable collection."
The sale also featured an assortment of unique, highly collectible non-railway items.
A Ward's vintage orange juice dispenser sold for $2,500, quadrupling its $600 high-end estimate, while a vintage 60-inch Hancock gasoline sign enjoyed the most impressive gains when compared with its estimate, up 1,850% from $400 to $7,800.
We will keep you up to speed on future railroadiana auctions throughout the year, so check back here regularly.
