Posted 10 years ago
philipka
(1 item)
Bought this from a gentleman living near Tampa Florida who purchased this at an estate sale. Research revealed that the sign board hung from the Bissell Tavern when a new owner named John Phelps had the design changed after he took ownership of the tavern in 1801. Then in 1816 all of the name was painted over but the initials JP were left on the sign which now stood for the new tavern owner named John Pelton. The image of lady liberty may have been chosen since 1801 was also the year that the woman, Anne Willing Bingham, who was believed to have been the model/inspiration for the image of lady liberty, died. This sign board is blank on the opposite side. The estate of Emma B King who lived in Indianapolis, IN and who was the granddaughter of Edward King, has possession of the first original double-sided sign that hung at the Bissell Tavern located in East Windsor, Conn.
Here is the real one:
http://gutenberg.readingroo.ms/3/7/2/7/37272/37272-h/images/fig_050.jpg
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The reverse side of the real one:
http://gutenberg.readingroo.ms/3/7/2/7/37272/37272-h/images/fig_049.jpg
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Thanks for the input. I came across those pictures as well. Thats why I was confused about the origins of my sign. The construction looks old and the wood appears old as well. I wasn't sure if there were more than one sign from the tavern in existence or if it's simply someone's attempt at copying the sign. If it's a replica it appears to be a relatively old one. There's no identifying marks on the sign board. I'm trying to collect any info as to the history of this sign
I think someone tried their best to replicate it (not implying anything negative). Note the break on the right bonnet pedimented is very close in detail to the original break.
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I thought that was probably not coincidence either that the break was in basically the same spot as the original. Not sure if the scale is accurate or not but its around 24in wide and 39in tall I think. The seller I bought it from just labeled it as folk art with no other details. For $75 though it seemed like a neat piece to display regardless since I had no idea what it was when I bought it.
I think they approximated the crack too.
Agree, it's a very nice piece. Thank you for sharing.
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