Advertising Signs
BackMaximum price: £12,700
Average price: £344
Minimum price: £10
Patented in England in the 1870s, the process of fusing coloured glass to iron sheets, known as vitreous enamelling, was adopted for the production of colourful advertising enamel signs.
Applied to virtually any product from foodstuff, newspapers, tobacco, bicycles and motor cars as well as information signs along with many other applications.
In the early part of the 20th century almost every retail outlet in the UK , from small corner shops to large stores, would have had a colourful display of attractive advertising signs on its external walls and often inside.
Literacy was low at the time and products proclaiming their benefits would be accompanied by vivid and imaginative depictions of the packaging.
Large enamelling companies sprung up around the country, the very first being the Chromographic Works, Wolverhampton and the Patent Enamel Company in Selly Oak. Now extremely collectable, the pictorial type are the most sought after and condition reflects price.
Well known brands include: Chocolate makers Cadbury's and Fry's; Hudsons Soap; Spratts Pet Food; Rowntrees and Van Houtens Cocoa; Raleigh and BSA Bicycles; various Motor Oils - in fact the list is endless but outside of the well known brands are very special 'one offs' that can command significant prices.
Advertising Miniature brass milk churn with lid and handles. Hand engraved SPECIAL COWS KEPT FOR INFANTS & INVALIDS FAMILIES WAITED ON TWICE DAILY. H.KING MAKER. NORTH CROSS RD E.DULWICH Stands 19in tall and is in good condition with some of the original black engraving wax intact. These (reduced) size brass milk churns were displayed on counter tops in Dairy Shops to summarise the benefits of dairy products.
Auction: March 2024 Sold for: £600Post Office enamel GLASFRYN POST OFFICE. In very good original condition measuring 48in. Glasfryn is near Mold.
Auction: January 2024 Not sold, reserve: £120Wall mounted cast iron post box Edward VII and Crown. Complete with lock, key missing and front wire basket present. Makers name WT Allen & Co London cast into front. In original condition and one of the door pins needs replacing. Measures 28.5in x 10.5in x 13in deep.
Auction: March 2023 Sold for: £300Enamel sign PORTSMOUTH & GOSPORT GAS COMPANY CAUTION OTHER METERS ARE CONNECTED TO THIS SERVICE etc. In excellent condition measures 6in x 6in.
Auction: March 2022 Sold for: £100Advertising enamel sign LISTER TAKE PUT BALE HANDLER with text for sale use etc. In very good condition with minor chipping, measures 30in x 12in.
Auction: March 2022 Sold for: £200