Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion How long have “fakes” been plaguing collectors?

Recently at a large swap meet I had the opportunity to speak with a gentleman who was set up selling various items. He had a porcelain sign on a table clearly tagged “reproduction “. He saw me examining it ( I do not care for reproductions, “fantasy “ , etc signs- just always on the outlook for clues to help me avoid getting burned). He stated his Dad had it and others made in 1962. He then showed me a wood crate containing the signs. The signs were still wrapped in newspaper from 1962.

Any guesses on what it is?

I do know there was a lot made in the 1980's. Back then they were clearly marked, usually at the bottom(like the originals) as reproductions with the date. When you see a "nice sign" all chipped up at the bottom, that is usually why. My guess would be a "FORD" sign?

Bob you are correct on Ford.

They were tagged $150. each and all sold. Hopefully person(s) who bought disclose that they are not originals when they resell.

That's really something Ed. I don't collect Ford signs nor do I have any knowledge of what to look for on a correct sign. I would assume however that an original sign probably wouldn't have the blue backs? Also, the blue looks a bit brighter than most Ford signs I've seen, which are usually a darker hue. Maybe that's just the sun on them as in the pic of the newspaper they look to be more of what I think of Ford blue. At any rate, very interesting that these were reproduced 63 years ago.
Darin

A couple things stand out here on these signs, way too nice is one, the font of all the writing looks a little "off", no "real" date and manufacturer company name, and I think the back being "blank" is odd. Usually backs are white or black on a single sided sign. With all of that being said I do think this sign could have been made by an actual company that made "real" signs at the "time". I can imagine the porcelain sign guys getting run out of business buy the cheap and flimsy new wave "plastic" signs.

the first and easiest thing i see as a repop is placement of the holes.
a single sided sign would have holes placed in corners
a double sided sign, which it should be, and is reason they put holes where they are but added 2 to the bottom
is for sure a give away.

Maybe someone was being a dirty rat by putting the old newspaper in there? Making there story more believable…?

Agreed

No

I agree with minuteman, the hole placement is odd for a single sided sign. I have seen two double sided signs mounted together for weight(wind) reasons. Maybe that is what this guy was thinking? I guess the only way to know for sure is to get the Oak Island guys to analyze the wooden crate!

Randy forgive me for stealing your line but here is the REAL McCoy . Note the makers mark and date on the back , along with someone’s finger prints in the porcelain being over 100 years old .

This "REAL McCoy" adds even MORE doubt? Everything that is noted above is doubtful, now a makers name and date on top of a scratch?

I should have phrased the title of this post differently.

I had merely wanted to show that non-original signs have been around longer than people realize, in this case 1962.

There is absolutely no doubt my ford sign is original . I bought it along with many other Ford items that had been passed down from there grandfather who owned a Ford dealership long ago see the pictures . As far as lines or marks under the Makers mark they must have been there prior to it being stamped. However you believe what you want to believe but maybe research this sign on major auction houses and you will see that originals have these same markings .

some of the major auction houses results on sign of subject .. ...