icollect247 On Line Antique Mall Selling Only Vintage

DEALERS

REPRODUCTION ALERT

“Old or “New” Advertising Signs??

Have you ever said, “I have not seen that sign before” and figure it is rare and important. You look closer and it has yellowed and has some signs of scratches and fine lines. You get the mall or dealer to take it down and purchase it. But did you stop and look at the back before you purchased it ?

A series of signs were made in the 1960’s that were not reproductions of early signs – just “new” signs made to look old. The companies they are advertising did not exist and were just made up. I have seen several of these signs lately being sold for old signs. If you feel the quality, you will see that the metal is thinner than old signs. These new knock offs are made of is .040 aluminum. Also you will find these signs are standard sizes, 12” x 18” or 18” x 24”. Older signs were never made with aluminum, only steel. By carrying a small magnet with you on your auction trips, it may save you a lot of money. Please be sure to ask the seller if you can test on THE BACK of the sign.

If you look further at the picture of the sign below, you will see varnish was brushed on and ran down the back and some runs down the front. The varnish was used to hide the bright white background on the front. These signs are normally printed in spot colors – such as orange, red and black...and a yellowed background. The attached pictures are an example of one of these “new” old signs.

It is not unusual to see these for sale on auction sites. In defense of the seller, he probably does not know that the sign is a “new” one. In his description he will say, it looks old, or it was hanging in an old store. The seller may be telling the true, because after all, this are 40 years old. If you like the sign and the price is under $50 than purchase and enjoy. As to where the value will go in years to come, who knows.

As an addition to the information above, I have gotten an email that gives a little more information on the sign that I have described above. The information came from a sign installer and he writes as follows.

The sign you are using for your example was made as a décor item for TGI Friday’s Restaurants. As Friday’s is in the process of changing its décor, lots of this stuff will be showing up on the market.

“Friday’s had a sign maker in Louisville KY cracking out hundreds of different signs. Some were copies of older stuff, ie “Lucky Cigarettes”, but most of their own design. They also had a relationship with a foundry that made extremely high quality brass plaques. “Teddy Roosevelt”, “Chippewa Wagon Works”, “Mohawk Tool Works”, etc. Any repro that was in a Friday’s will have at least 4 holes drilled in it, and not necessarily at “even spacing” in the corners. The varnish is actually an orange shellac that was used to add an aged look. The only think I’ve found that will remove it, is alcohol, which, unfortunately, also attacks the paint. It’s a very tricky process.

Occasionally, a buyer would come up with a warehouse find, such as the green “High Plane Tobacco” sign, obviously pre-ebay days.

The market of “new” and “reproductions” is huge. If you have information that would help other collectors become knowledgeable, please contact us.

“New” Porcelain Mammy Bank Is Marked “Occupied Japan”

Reviewing Mammy Banks

Most folks see “Occupied Japan” and think it’s old...but not any more. There are new Mammy banks marked and are being sold as rare. These new banks are copies of the 1930’s through the 1950’s.

There are a couple of ways to separate new from old. The original paints were all code painted with the trim applied over the glaze. All trim on new pieces are under the glaze. Also remember that the cheap ones from the early times were made to break and get the money out, so there were no holes in the bottom. The newer banks have holes.

The Occupied Japan marks are easily applied with a rubber stamp, which can be ordered from any office supply store. So remember don’t rely on these marks to prove age.

Japan was occupied after WWII from Sept. 2 1945 to April 24, 1952. During this period, American trade laws required Japanese products exported to the U.S. to be marked “Made In Occupied Japan” or “Occupied Japan”.

Good luck and happy collecting!