Advertising Signs
BackMaximum price: £12,700
Average price: £362
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.
Enamel 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: £200Whisky bar dispenser OLD BLENDED GLENFARCLUS GLENIVAT WHISKY PATTISONS LIMITED LEITH & LONDON. In very good condition complete with tap stands 28in tall. These attractive and distinctive objects were usually behind the bar of pubs and dispensed whisky until Customs & Excise demanded a more reliable way of measuring sales of high percentage alcohol.
Auction: March 2020 Sold for: £1,000Whisky bar dispenser TAMPLINS BREWERY COMPANY LIMITED-SOLE PROPRIETORS. A tall fluted dispenser marked with distinctive purple tulip top, Templin?s Brewery was founded in Brighton in 1821 and acquired by Watney Mann in 1953. In very good condition complete with tap stands 28in tall. These attractive and distinctive objects were usually behind the bar of pubs and dispensed whisky until Customs & Excise demanded a more reliable way of measuring sales of high percentage alcohol.
Auction: March 2020 Sold for: £1,000