Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, the system sets the current bid conservatively — just enough to keep you in the lead without revealing your full amount.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 020 - Vintage Cyclone Twister Five Cent Cigar Cardboard Advertising Sign with Tornado Graphics, Copyright 1928 by Martin L. Richards, the M.L. Richards Co., Dallas, Texas, 9" W x 11" H was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
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For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Bidder Terms.
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Lot 020 - Vintage Cyclone Twister Five Cent Cigar Cardboard Advertising Sign with Tornado Graphics, Copyright 1928 by Martin L. Richards, the M.L. Richards Co., Dallas, Texas, 9" W x 11" H
Lot 020 - Vintage Cyclone Twister Five Cent Cigar Cardboard Advertising Sign with Tornado Graphics, Copyright 1928 by Martin L. Richards, the M.L. Richards Co., Dallas, Texas, 9" W x 11" H
Cardboard countertop advertising sign for Cyclone Twister cigars, priced at five cents. The central graphic depicts a tornado touching down across a landscape, with a twisted cigar in the foreground and the tagline "Looks Crooked But Smokes Straight." Copyright 1928 by Martin L. Richards, with The M.L. Richards Co., Dallas, Texas noted as sole agents.
The sign shows surface scratches, scuffs, creasing, and graphic loss concentrated along the edges and corners, with green border paint worn through in several areas.