The hand cut double-sided painted pine and sheet metal advertising sign of good size and in rectangular form, showing an outstanding patina to both sides bearing the original gold and black lettering to a forest green ground, reading ‘Newspapers delivered and on sale’ and ‘Sports final on sale’ to the other, both in in three-dimensional script, the metal encased in a black painted pine surround and the whole surviving from the first quarter of twentieth century England.
Unknown.
Sports which grew and flourished in 1920s due to unprecedented publicity and promotion included baseball, tennis, golf, swimming, football and boxing. Newspapers, magazines, radio and movies all played a role in boosting the profile of sport and the sporting giants.
The 1920’s was a transition period for many sports. Sports that had up until that time been largely amateur events caught the eye of promoters who could see an opportunity to capitalise and make money. The professional football league, golf tours, and tennis circuit were organised. Media publicity ensured large crowds and guaranteed the financial success of the ventures, allowing new stadiums to be built and providing steadily increasing salaries for the sports stars.
A hugely appealing sign in completely untouched condition.
The piece is in sound overall complete order and is undeniably very decorative with a highly texturised surface, one side a shade more than the other. The piece doesn’t show any evidence of repairs or particular damage other than two small pine joists added to the lower half for stability. There is rusting to the whole in sporadic areas as one would expect.
By appointment only.
