I have seen close up photos of one of these signs. There is a lot of interest in early advertising signs and one of the bigger auctions is right here in Iowa for this kind of stuff. Early signs were usually very well done and very decorative. The lithograph process allowed bright colors and the lettering was usually a very decorative style and not plain like the sign in question.Sign painting was an art and these men were artists and very skilled. Reverse painted on glass,gold leaf,elaborate borders,embossed tin,these are the things that are usual for turn of the century signs and some company like Parker with the money and expertise available to them would not have had a sign like this made. Check out the pictures of the extant Winchester signs that have been verified and sold at auction. Parker would not have settled for less,no way.
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