A bright red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette coupe with the rare and highly desirable split rear window roared off for $129,800 in an online-only Automobiles, Advertising & Toys auction held December 3rd by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. The runner-up lot was a 1940s double-sided porcelain Chrysler Plymouth Fargo dealer sign that made $29,500.

Prices quoted are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

All 241 lots in the sale were from the lifetime collection of the late Gary Archer, a collector who aggressively sought out gas pumps, petroliana advertising, automobilia, soda signs and old toys. “The family reflected on what Gary paid for certain pieces. It was like winning the lottery,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Overall the auction was seen as a great success.”

Mr. Miller said that as the market for petroliana (gas station collectibles) matures, buyers are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. “The results in this auction showed that rarity and condition are trending as the most important predictors of price,” Miller observed. “While the top 20 percent crushed our highest expectations, the more common material was flatlined at best.”

Auto buffs are familiar with the '63 ‘split-window’ as one of the most rare and coveted Corvettes out there. Mr. Archer imported his from the U.S. in 1983 and stored it away as an investment in a dry, heated garage. Prior to that, the car received a cosmetic restoration that included a color change to red and many interior upgrades. The car more than doubled its $60,000 high estimate.

The Chrysler Plymouth Fargo dealer sign was produced for the Canadian market and measured 44 ½ inches by 41 ½ inches. The sign blasted through its pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000. Following are additional highlights from the auction, which grossed $478,018 and attracted 382 registered users, who placed a combined 6,478 bids. One hundred percent of the lots were sold. Internet bidding was facilitated by both LiveAuctioneers.com and the Miller & Miller website.

Two signs posted identical selling prices of $12,390. One was a Chevrolet “Super Service” dealer neon sign, made in America in the 1940s. The single-sided porcelain sign measured an impressive 42 inches by 49 inches. The other was a Red Indian (“Gasoline / Motor Oils”) 5-foot single-sided porcelain sign (Canadian, 1930s), marked “The W. F. Vilas Co. Limited, Cowansville, P.Q.” Both signs finished at way above their estimates.

A Supertest (“Canada’s All-Canadian Company”) 1940s double-sided porcelain service station sign, round, 5 feet in diameter and in the original ring, marked “P & M Orillia”, sold within estimate for $10,030. Also, a larger Supertest double-sided porcelain sign, also round, 6 feet in diameter and made in the 1950s, in the original aluminum ring with hangers, with only minor porcelain loss, brought $5,900, which was also within estimate.

A Canadian 1950s Gulf Service Station double-sided porcelain sign in the original aluminum ring, 68 inches by 74 inches, fetched $7,670; a Canadian 1920s Gray-Dort Automobile dealer sign, single-sided tin and embossed, 11 ¾ inches by 35 ½ inches, also brought $7,670; and a Canadian 1960s GMC Trucks double-sided vacuum formed plastic illuminated sign, very rare, tagged “TEK Plastics Ltd., Rexdale, Ontario”, made $7,080.

A round White Rose double-sided porcelain service station sign with very good color and gloss (Canadian, 1940s), in a steel frame, 48 inches in diameter, settled at $6,490, which bested the $3,500 high estimate. Also, a rare 1940s Indian Motorcycle prismatic sign, made in the U.S. (“Genuine Indian Accessories / The Complete Quality Line”), celluloid over embossed tin backed with cardboard, 11 ¾ inches by 6 ¾ inches, reached $5,900.

A Canadian 1950s Fina Service Station double-sided porcelain sign, impressive at 72 ½ inches by 68 ½ inches, marked “P&M Orillia” on the lower edge, both sides exhibiting scattered chips, changed hands for $6,490. One of the sleepers of the auction was an American 1950s Bee Line Wheel Alignment single-sided tin sign, embossed, marked “Stout Sign Co., St. Louis, Mo.” The sign sold for $5,310 against a $400-$600 estimate.

Two very different lots realized identical selling prices of $5,015: the Canadian 1940s boxed pressed steel Minnitoy Pepsi truck (“Enjoy “Pepsi-Cola”), the box marked “Made by Otaco Limited, Orillia, Ont.”, new old stock in the original box; and the Canadian 1957 double-sided porcelain Texaco Service Station sign in the original metal ring, 5 feet in diameter, retaining the original mounting chain attached from the sign’s lower bracket.

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., has two major auctions planned for the first quarter of next year. They include an Advertising & Historic Objects auction on Saturday, January 21st; 2023; and a Canadiana & Folk Art auction on Saturday, February 11th. Both auctions will be online-only.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the firm’s upcoming sales, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in watches and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

Daly City, CA – For rapid and accurate plumbing solutions, Daly City’s Works Plumbing has become the preferred choice for local clients thanks to its top-quality services and customer care.

Time is never on your side when encountering water leaks and blocked drains. Fortunately, the family-owned and operated company offers a full range of solutions: residential plumbing repairs, hydro-jetting and sewer camera inspections, water line repair and replacement, water heaters, leak detection and resolution.

"We understand a Daly City customer's desire for affordable, efficient, and quality plumbing services," said Works Plumbing company owners Patrick and Margaret Besinga. "We constantly evaluate our operating costs. We can reduce wasteful spending by delivering pricing that won't break the bank without sacrificing our top-quality, reliable plumbing services."

Works Plumbing's team is proud to have been serving diverse local communities for more than 20 years. These include Daly City, San Francisco, San Mateo County and the Peninsula. Their plumbers and fleet of fully-stocked trucks allows them rapid deployment to minimize water leaks from escalating.

Their plumbers are highly trained and experienced in offering a wide selection of quality products to best suit a client's needs and budget and providing extended warranty opportunities.

"Complete satisfaction of our customers is a top priority, and our team always goes above and beyond for our clients and is available 24/7 to assist them with all their plumbing needs," they added

The team provided tips on looking for signs that could point to a minor leak or something more serious. Look out for puddles of water or moisture, cracked or leaking pipes, poor water pressure and mysteriously higher water bills as all pointers to a potential problem.

Hiring a professional makes sure your job is done right the first time. No matter which part of your plumbing system needs repair, Works Plumbing can help. The company has also partnered with GreenSky® to provide financing options to help clients manage the cost of a new system.

The company has earned many five-star customer testimonials for its exceptional service. Anne M. commented: "Works plumbing is my forever plumber! They were on time, gave me options for how I could solve my issues and gave me up front costs! It was so nice to work with this company! Highly recommend!"

"Mario arrived on a Saturday morning sharp at 9am and unclogged our kitchen sink within an hour. He was efficient, courteous, took covid-19 precautions. There aren't enough words to explain how glad and relieved we were with his service. Highly recommend him. The world needs more super Marios like him!" added Duffy S.

To book an appointment with Works Plumbing or for further information about their services: 

Phone: (650) 835-2009

Website: https://worksplumbing.com/

Cambridge at Southern is pleased to announce that they offer student-centered housing options for individuals attending Georgia Southern University. The off-campus housing complex allows students to enjoy an independent lifestyle while remaining close to campus to attend classes and on-campus activities.

Cambridge at Southern provides various floorplans to meet each student’s needs, including one-bedroom apartments for individuals who prefer to live alone and two, three, and four-bedroom units to share with friends or meet new people through the roommate matching program. The per-person rental rate includes furnishings, unlimited electricity, water, and Internet access. Students can choose from two locations for their housing and add storage for an additional fee.

Cambridge at Southern makes student living more enjoyable with various amenities available to residents. These features include two 24-hour fitness centers, two resort-style swimming pools with hot tubs, game rooms, sand volleyball, and basketball courts, and a Wi-Fi clubhouse. Pets are welcome at the housing complex, and the bus route makes it easy for students to get to and from campus.

Anyone interested in learning about the student-centered housing options can find out more by visiting the Cambridge at Southern website or calling 1-912-681-1300.

About Cambridge at Southern: Cambridge at Southern is an off-campus housing complex with two apartment buildings to give students more options for their housing. Each student pays a per-person rate with all amenities included. Residents will enjoy an independent lifestyle while remaining close to the campus.

Company: Cambridge at Southern

Address: 130 Lanier Dr.

City: Statesboro

State: GA

Zip code: 30458

Telephone number: 1-912-681-1300

New Hamburg, ON, Canada, November 30, 2022 -- Rolex ruled the roost in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Luxury Watches sale, as 14 of the top 20 finishing lots were made by the renowned Swiss watchmaker. The top earner was a Rolex Ref. 116515 Cosmograph Daytona, a model first introduced in 1963 to meet the demands of race car drivers. It sold within estimate for $54,870.

All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

The Cosmograph Daytona featured a black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with an engraved tachymeter scale, and an 18kt Everose gold case. It was powered by calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement developed and made by Rolex. The chocolate dial with black Arabic numbers accented the gold case and alligator strap.

It was a tidy sale, with just 78 curated timepieces coming up for bid, but it featured luxury makers such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Heuer, Cartier, Hublot, Tiffany & Company and IWC, among others. Just under 200 registered bidders placed a combined online total of 2,685 bids, and by the time it was all over the auction had grossed a robust $418,959.

“The market for quality luxury watches has remained strong, with major brands holding their ground while demand for many assets has fallen,” said Justin Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Four contemporary Rolex Daytonas in the sale sold for way more than one would pay for a brand-new example from an authorized Rolex dealer, should they be so lucky to acquire one.”

Miller added, “For vintage watches, the highest demand remains for examples that are untouched and fresh-to-the-market. These watches are usually consigned by either the original owner or a relative of the original owner. A good example was Lot #53, which came to us with a letter of provenance from the second owner linking it to the 1972 Olympic Games. It sold for $14,160.”

He was referring to the circa 1971 Rolex Ref. 5513 Submariner with a stainless-steel case on a stainless-steel oyster band. The caseback was engraved with the name of the current owner. This Submariner was originally awarded as a prize for qualifying as the Canadian sailing participant in the 1972 Olympic games. The trials were held in Kingston, Ontario.

Following are additional highlights from the auction, in which 80 percent of lots were sold. Online bidding was via by LiveAuctioneers.com and MillerandMillerAuctions.com.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, regardless of year, movement or reference, is one of the most desirable watches in existence. There were several other examples in the auction. They included:

- Ref. 116520, circa 2008-2009, in a stainless-steel 40mm case, box and papers included ($32,450).

- Ref. 116523, circa 2002, an exceptionally well cared for example offered from the original owner, complete with box and papers and the receipt from a 2019 service by the original retailer, Ashley Jewellers, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ($24,780).

- Ref. 116520, circa 2009, has a stainless-steel case on a stainless-steel oyster band, complete with box and papers ($26,550).

The Rolex Day-Date “President” wristwatch is another classic that was represented more than once in the auction. The model made its debut in 1956 and was the first wristwatch to display the date and day of the week spelled out in full in a window on the dial. The elegant design and precious metals conspired to make the Day-Date a most desirable wristwatch among celebrities.

Two Day-Date “Presidents” in the auction included Ref. 18038, circa 1988, with an 18kt yellow gold case and bracelet and champagne diamond dial, in excellent condition, serviced by Rolex in August 2002 ($23,600); and Ref. 18238, with 18kt yellow gold case on an 18kt yellow gold President band. A recent service included new crystal, crown, crown tube and gaskets ($14,160).

Rolexes were plentiful on auction day, but so were watches by other famous makers, such as:

- De Grisogono, Grande ladies’ watch, Swiss, circa 2001, with an 18kt rose gold case and pink sapphires ($20,060). The Grande has a gently curved silhouette. It was designed with proportions and balance of size and volume, making it very comfortable in wear.

- Tag Heuer, Ref. 2446C Autavia GMT, Swiss, 1972, with a stainless-steel case on a leather strap and a Mark 4 dial ($11,800). This model had steel hands with red accents, red chronograph hand and stepped sub-dials. The color still popped on the Pepsi bezel.

Returning to Rolexes, a circa 1972 Ref. 1675 GMT-Master watch featuring the original black aluminum GMT bezel, and original matte black dial, the case and bracelet in impeccable shape, brought $20,060. The original GMT-Master, designed in 1954, was a collaboration with Pan Am Airways. It was issued to their crews on long-haul flights and was later embraced by other pilots.

A circa 2001 Rolex 2016 Ref. 80319 Datejust Pearlmaster with an 18kt rose gold case and factory diamond dial and bezel, the smooth lines of the case and bracelet creating a feminine interpretation of the Datejust, reached $11,505. Also, A circa 2005 Rolex Ref. 116203 “Tuxedo” Datejust wristwatch with a two-tone, 18kt yellow gold and stainless-steel case and oyster band, black and white “tuxedo” dial and black and red “roulette” date wheel, topped out at $10,030.

A circa 1991 Rolex Ref, 16613 Rolex Submariner wristwatch having a stainless-steel case with an 18kt yellow gold bezel and crown and a stainless-steel oyster band went for $12,980. Also, a circa 1976 Rolex Ref. 1680 Submariner wristwatch with a stainless-steel case on a stainless-steel oyster band, the clasp date stamped “A” for 1976, weighing a total of 101 grams, made $11,210. Included was the invoice from a March 2020 service by Humberton Jewellers in Toronto, Ont.

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., has three major auctions planned for the rest of this year and early next year. They include an Automobiles, Advertising & Toys auction (featuring The Gary Archer Collection) on Saturday, December 3rd; an Advertising & Historic Objects auction on Saturday, January 21st; 2023; and a Canadiana & Folk Art auction on Saturday, February 11th.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the firm’s upcoming auctions, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com