NEW HOPE, Pa. — Back before the Dawn of Civilization (i.e., the pre-Internet age), there was a special breed of antiques dealer collector who would, as the good Postmaster, abide neither snow, nor heat, nor ice, nor gloom of night once they were on the trail of a “good find.”

The stories of these men and women, now nearly considered legends, are still kicked around the pot-bellied stove (should there be one) in the local antique shops. No expense, time, prior commitment – or often, any rational consideration – would prevent them from driving all night to make a buy. 

Often as not, they drove vans. These vans would be of two categories: 1. valiant, dependable automotive wonders that kept these Road Warriors in the hunt; or 2. semi-dependable high-mileage clunkers that showed rips in upholstery, sagging suspension or the odd missing rear-side window. 

Ultimately, number 1 becomes number 2. But, that was of small matter. What really counted was what waited at the end of the road, be it private buyer, auction or antique show.

These earlier collectors and dealers were often driven more by adrenaline than profit. 

Fortunately, many of them saved important facets of our national heritage, such as one of the fundamentals of American commerce – advertising – from slipping away into the deep recesses of memory before its final disappearance.

There’s was often a tight circle of collectors and dealers, and competition (more like “bragging rights”) was predominant. 

One of those premier characters within the advertising collectors’ world, who was difficult to “beat,” was Bill Powell of the Nashville, Tenn., area. As the consummate collector and dealer, Powell delved into unique areas of interest, ultimately establishing new advertising genre markets within the antiques industry. 

Not only has Powell been on the road for the past four decades chasing down antiques, he has become a fixture at major antique and Americana shows. For great trade signs, fabulous store fixtures and the rarest lithographed paper signs and toys, Powell has long held the status as the “go-to guy.”

“Bill is one of the great pickers,” said auction promoter Noel Barrett. “He would hop into his car and drive all night if something special awaited him at the other end. Whenever you would come upon his booth at a show, you’d know immediately whose it was. He has always favored antiques that are figural, unusual and have marvelous colors and patina.”

On Nov. 18-19, Barrett will be auctioning Powell’s personal collection of antique advertising and toys. Barrett, who has known Powell for most of his 40 years collecting, says that the collector was a pioneer in seeking out older, original and often one-of-a-kind advertising signs.

Powell’s collection is comprised of 435 lots, which will be offered during the auction’s second (Saturday) session. It will include highly unique late 19th and early 20th century painted-wood signs, each an original creation.

“He just had a golden eye,” Barrett said. “Bill’s eye just went other places that a lot of people looked over. He was strong on picking out these wonderful colors painted on wood or painted tin. These are one-of-a-kind signs. He collected stone lithographed paper pieces, and you just don’t see those anymore – they never survived. He was also great at picking up figural signs and, again, these are not made in great multiples.”

In this day and age, Powell’s signs often go beyond being merely “nostalgic,” Barrett said. They could be relegated to the “historic” category. “And quite a few of them rise to the level of almost being folk lore,” he said.

Not only are many of the signs unique in design, but the sizes are often monumental, giving their message a special cachet. A 5-foot-wide “Harness and Horse Collars” trade sign decorated with two stylized horse heads was created to fit over a barn door. Of equally grand size are two Ingersoll Watch signs; and an oversized pair of spectacles, complete with peering eyes (reminiscent of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby?) measuring 4 feet in length.

Part of Powell’s collection at auction includes lithographed paper-on-wood toys, many from the renowned 19th century American boats collection of the late William F. Holland, a pioneer American toy collector.

For more information, call 215-297-5109 or visit www.noelbarrett.com