History can often repeat itself. This will be the case at the next Rich Penn Auction on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 4, 5, and 6, in Waterloo, Iowa, at the Waterloo Convention Center. The preview will be on Friday, Nov. 4, from 8 to 10 a.m., and from 10 a.m. until noon, approximately 200 lots will sell to in-house bidders only. There will be no internet bidding until the cataloged auction begins at noon. This is a special opportunity for those in attendance. This exceptional auction includes what some call the finest piece of cigar advertising ever sold. We sold it at one of our first auctions 20 years ago, stated Penn. The stunning six panels of reverse paint and gold leaf on beveled glass measures an impressive 10 feet long. It is the only one known to exist and is considered a classic example of antique advertising. Signed by Fay, Minneapolis, this sign reportedly hung in a building in the Twin Cities. It represented cigars distributed by W. S. Conrad, the largest wholesale tobacco business in that part of the country. In 1889, his business at 341 Jackson St. in St. Paul, the Conrad Tobacco House, was selling an estimated 15 million cigars a year. El Paterno, Sight Draft and Juan de Fuca were three of the brands distributed. The masterpiece likely hung in the Conrad Tobacco House and is an important piece of Americana and Minnesota cigar history. There are many other examples of cigar advertising. One of the other featured lots is an Indian Chief cast zinc figure crafted ca. 1880 by the renowned Wm. Demuth Co. of New York, and ex. Allan Katz. This is one of Demuths figures featured in Artists in Wood, by Fried, F., 1970, pg 54. Other cigar advertising will include a framed reverse paint on glass sign with Mother of Pearl and gold leaf, selling Caswell Club, King of Domestic Cigars, ca. 1900. A wide selection of other advertising includes a round serving tray with an elegant lady about to enjoy a glass of Jersey-Creme, The Perfect Drink. This ca. 1890 rare colorful litho-on-metal shows a blue-eyed blonde infant for The Black Crow Stocken. For chewing gum collectors, Kis-Me Gum was The Popular Favorite. So is their self-framed tin sign, ca. 1910 by American Art Sign Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. Over the course of the three days will be antique tin toys, windups, cast-iron, mechanical banks, and air rifles and cap guns, all perfect candidates for surprises under the Christmas tree. Theres a long, nearly endless list of early Daisy air rifles in this auction. Country store pieces are always a hallmark of a Rich Penn Auction. This auction is no exception. Spool cabinets, ribbon cabinets, dye cabinets, cane cases, sack racks, scales and a large variety of rare candy jars will all be included. The selection of candy jars is exceptional. Dakota jars include nearly every size, including the largest cylinders. Rarity can also come in a small size. Fountain pens were a typical staple in drug stores and jewelry stores. Parker and Sheaffers fountain pens could be found in every home and office. On day one will be the largest and finest collection of fountain pens Penn has ever sold, easily covering 125 years of production from many of the most famous brand names: Conklin, Eversharp, Montblanc, Moore, Parker, Pelikan, Sheaffers, Waterman and others. All will make unique stocking stuffers for Christmas gifts. For those thinking Christmas, there is a large selection of Santas, literally a convocation of Clauses. Many are early 1900s, others mid-century. Other categories include original artwork, decorative items, furniture and a small selection of early firearms. There certainly will be something for everyone; approximately 1,900 lots will sell without reserve. For those who cant make it, Penn offers multiple bidding options, including absentee, telephone and live bidding online through LiveAuctioneers. Full color catalogs will be available for $40. Prices realized will be posted online. For more information, call Rich Penn Auctions at 319-291-6688 or visit www.RichPennAuctions.com.