Up for grabs today is a great old tin Job Cigarette Papers sign from the early part of the 20th century. It reads "Papier JOB a Cigarettes". The letters and border are off-white and embossed. The background is a very dark blue. The reverse is dark green. It is made of tin, but it is thicker and more rigid than many tin signs (it's almost like a large license plate). It measures 13 1/2 inches wide by 6 3/8 inches tall. It was manufactured by the Metalgraf company of Milan, Italy (Milano). Metalgraf was only in existence from about 1910 until 1930, so this sign must date from that period, and I am guessing that the numbers "5612" after the maker's name and location may be a date code indicating that it was made in 1912, meaning that it is 100 years old!
This sign is by no means mint, as it has numerous scuffs and scrapes and the dings of age, but it is nevertheless in excellent shape for something this old, and may very well be the finest extant example of this particular sign - I can't find a better one! The dark blue color definitely makes an impact! Please peruse the pictures for the full story.
We are asking just $60 for this wonderful old tin sign, and that price INCLUDES shipping via USPS Priority Mail! Contact us at lovequistantiques (at) outlook.com if you want it!
This was a great sign, I only wish I had seen it in April when it was first offered.
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