Posted 12 years ago
Neophyte
(1 item)
This sign spent the past several decades hiding under a billboard. I noticed it under the billboard when they took it down last week, and rescued it from the scrap heap. It's 25" x 14". The brownish strip at the top is brown paint that comes off by rubbing it with my finger. I have no idea what it's worth, or even how to get it appraised. I DO know that I can't find many like it on the internet. The bottom right corner says it's from 1941. Besides the brown paint, the only damage to the finish is surrounding the bolt holes at the top and some very mild surface rust around the edges. Otherwise, the original finish is perfect. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks ! The billboard was in Paterson, NJ.
You're either off to a great start collecting old Coca-Cola signs or just found a nice chunk of change if you put it up on eBay. Amazing discovery, well done. Here's the same sign, a little nicer condition I think, up for auction currently. Will give you an idea of today's market. Thanks for sharing. Great story.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-VERY-RARE-COCA-COLA-PORCELAIN-FOUNTAN-SERVICE-SIGN-/310534992275?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item484d53f193
Thanks Daddy NoBucks ! I actually saw that sign when I did my initial internet search- I believe that the sign I have may be in better condition that that particular sign (although my photo is not as good because my phone has zero pixels) - there are no scratches or blemishes in the original finish on my sign other than around the bolt holes at the top. There are no scratches or nicks in the finish, and it really is quite shiny. That brown paint across the top is so old that it crubles off when I rub it with my finger. When I get a spare few hours, I'm going to get all of the brown paint off and will post a new photo of the sign taken with a better camera.
I very much appreciate your input. Haven't decided where the sign will end up yet, but I'm hoping to find an appraisal.
HA ! TGBWC- notice that my name is NEOPHYTE. Obviously, that is what YOU just did, but because of my lack of experience in this realm, it did not click in my brain. Sometimes, both of my brain cells work at the same time- other times, not so much. Many thanks for your input.
Happy holidays.
Paterson, NJ you say...... that figures. I spent half of my summer right by there. Had I known this was lurking in the area, I would have slowed down on the daily commute, LOL. Nice grab!!!
Where in NJ Tommy? My late, great father-in-law was mayor of Paterson and State Senator in NJ for many years. There probably are MANY collectable signs under billboards, facades and such in our city. There's a lot to be said for being at the right place at the right time. Better lucky than good sometimes, I guess.
And, thanks. I owe it all to my long-standing insomnia- watching American Pickers when I can't sleep at 3 a.m.
I was working in Haledon/ Prospect Park, but we stayed in Clifton.
Great find, under a billboard wow was it a billboard on the side of a building?
Hi Trey, Yes- The sign was under a billboard for decades. I found it as they were taking down the billboard.
Hi Fifties- I still have the sign. I haven't gotten a formal appraisal on the sign yet. Most input I have gotten came from posters on this site, and e-bay auctions among others. I am 100% aware that this is not a site for buying or selling, but a person such as myself, with exactly ZERO experience in these things, can find valuable information from the kind folks posting on this site.
That is awesome what a find,when you said billboard I was thinking of the ones up in the air LOL. The building must have been a drugstore at one time. Talk about being at the right place at the right time, I found mine in a run down flea market one that doesn't get a lot of foot traffic, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
Indeed- there is a lot to be said for being in the right place at the right time. The billboard was mounted on the side of a building that presently is a liquor store, but was a pharmacy until about 1960.
I see someone peed in 50's wheaties yesterday!He comes from another very rude website where they chew on newbies regularly.