I have been amazed at how many variations I have seen from this particular stock scene image on different tin serving trays from the 1900 era. This image has been used for clothing stores, shoe stores, coffee companies, breweries, soda manufacturers, cigar makers, and just about any other segment of businesses from the early 1900’s.…
Here is a beautiful porcelain rounded corner sign from the Conway Brothers Brewery in Troy, New York from around 1910 or so. This beauty emblazons patriotic red, white and blue colors while featuring a vivid image of Uncle Sam himself sitting on a few beer kegs helping push the Conway companies Ale product! I love…
Here is a rather unique tin sign, one that I love as it differentiates an early type of gasoline by calling itself “Auto Gasoline”. This is not surprising as this was an era where automobiles were very scarce still, and a luxury to own. Many were still riding horses to work, etc. The Bell Oil…
I have always enjoyed seeing pieces of advertising which are coming from the advertising company itself, essentially promoting their own abilities to produce quality advertising point of sale pieces. Shown here is that type of piece from The Gast Lithographic and Stationary Company which was based in St. Louis, MO for many years. Their motto…
This Goodyear Boot Company sign is a great example of how companies evolve oftentimes over time to suit business needs. Long before the need for goodyear rubber tires became apparent, people needed rubber boots to keep their feet dry since the dawn of time. And the Goodyear Company was one of the early manufacturers of…
The Henry Zeltner Brewing Company put out several metal serving trays in the pre-prohibition era during the early 1900’s. Each one is interesting as they all advertise their beer was “absolutely pure” on their trays. The Zeltner brewery was apparently best known for their lager beer brand as that was the style most commonly used…
I always liked this pre prohibition era brewery tray simply because of the name of the beer…Nulife. This bottled beer tray was used as a change maker for the bar or saloon patron and helped advertise the Sioux City Iowa brewery named the Interstate-Brewing Co. The bottle is a capped bottle, meaning it was produced…
I love old pottery or stoneware advertising pieces, and this Trask Fish Company fish depicted barrel is one of my favorites. The illustration did not leave much to the imagination as to what the company was selling out of the barrels…Fish!! In particular, herring, pickled and not. This barrel features words in german still at…
I love finding old wooden one cent or penny gum machines from the early 1900’s. First off, the older generation will remember one cent gumball machines, but do any recall sticks of gum being sold for a penny? Probably not, as the era when these machines dominated soda fountains and candy or general store counters…
I have often wondered why would a coffee company in Portland, OR name itself The Electric Coffee Company? Was their something about the company which made it unique compared to other coffee manufacturers and roasters of that era? Did the plant have an early electricity generated advantage over other coffee competitors, or was the name…