Down South Jukin’
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October 01, 2009
On Saturday, October 3, a world-class collection of antique jukeboxes dating from the 1930s through the 1960s will be auctioned in the Tuscaloosa suburb of Northport. Also up for bid are some 5,000 78- and 45-rpm records and advertising memorabilia.
Original Wurlitzer jukeboxes from the 1930s are expected to bring the highest bids. (Images of the jukeboxes can be viewed online at www.halhunt.com.) Each is a visual splendor, with Space Age curves illuminated by brightly colored lights.
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“There’s never been a better collection sold at public auction,” says Hal Hunt, who explains that Houston-based owner John Gurrech was originally a record collector who became fascinated with jukeboxes in the 1980s when he decided he needed somewhere to store and play his records. Dubbed with cool names, such as the Wurlitzer Peacock and the Rock-Ola Spectrovox, the jukeboxes are expected to sell from $1,500 to $50,000. An early 1960s contraption known as a Scopitone that played early music videos on film will also be auctioned. One of the most unique jukeboxes includes a “Strike Up the Band” feature: on top of the machine is a bandstand with drawn curtains that open when a record begins, revealing an orchestra of musical figurines that appear to be playing. When the song is finished, the curtains close until the next record is selected.
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Gurrech housed the collection at his home in Houston. His thousands of records include an autographed Sun Records 45-rpm by Johnny Cash and a 78-rpm recording of “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, as well as an impressive assembly of singles by Hank Williams, Sr. In addition to the jukeboxes, the collection includes miscellaneous treasures, such as gasoline pumps, barber’s chairs, neon beer signs, and gas station signage.
The auction will be held at Hal Hunt Auctions, 5925 Highway 43 in Northport, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 3. The collection may be previewed on Friday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 205-333-2517 or go to www.halhunt.com for more information. &