Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Archives of the best of past topics For Sale Archive, Non-Petro 1930-40S DBLE SIDE PORCELAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON SIGN!

...I was troubled by the font used for 'Harley-Davidson' on the sign - it just didn't jibe with the rest of the sign...and it certainly doesn't look anything like the one used on the decals Catauladave posted...it makes no sense to me that Harley would have inconsistent graphics that late in their marketing...the first thing I thought when I saw it was that someone had copied the bottom text from another sign...

...I'm pretty sure that Harley-Davidson has a corporate archives - and that there's no dearth of late 1930's-early 40's photographs, dealer pubs, etc., that would show this sign if it is from that period...but I don't think it is...

Hello all thanks for all replies..its definitley older porcelain...as I got many opiniona here as well..but all experts here point to 1930-40s range. Again regardless its still a awesome nice size sign. If you have offers willing to take offers thanks everyone

I was waiting for you to "chime in". For what it is worth...I have never seen this sign in any early Harley photographs. Harley has a fantastic collection of all the early machines and I would think memorabilia as well. This saga will be interesting. Dave

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/explore/archives.html

Hello dave...yes...haha..either way..I love it..but got another tin harley sign. and theres other items on my wish list now. so, again..willing to take offers. thanks all..either way. its fun hobby and looking forward to continue to meet new folks....dave, did you see the Oilzum sign in petro i just sold..? that was a awesome sign..kind of regret that i let it go

Food for thought...any time a repro or fantasy porcelain sign has surfaced there are always more of the same sign surfacing also. Also a "porcelain" sign manufacturer from today could not date it unless they were the one that made it. I have a friend who had one of 2 or 3 cobalt blue and white 1890s "Wheelmen" Coca Cola signs that sold for about 20,000.00 about 15 years ago or so. All 2 or 3 of these surfaced about the same time so his was tested by carbon dating and was found to be new and a fantasy sign is what I understood.

interesting food...appreciated...

still a cool looking sign
though.

well there ya go Richard... a sign with an asking price like you have, it might be worth paying to have it carbon dated. with confirmation papers from a reputable company, I would imagine it would add very significant value to the sign than selling without.

(if I owned the sign, I would surely look into it)

The coca cola sign was carbon dated at no charge at a college as a class project if I remember correctly. Carbon dating is expensive if you have it done professionally.

That was a nice piece. I'm just a poor old retired public servant(educator) and that was a high dollar piece well out of my price range...but I appreciate quality and you letting us have a shot at it.
The Harley sign is a nice sign also. Age is the troubling factor here. You are going to see more and more "questionable" items pop up as the reproduction process becomes easier and prices escalate on the originals.
Good hunting,
Dave

I have a letter from John Adams dated JAN. 18 1815 and it is written on front and back . I found it folded up in an old book I got from a letter collector. He says its real. the paper is correct for that period but I took it to try and have it carbon dated and was told you can only come within a few hundred years, carbon dating is for very old items.Just looked it up again to be sure and several sites say don't even try it on items less than 150 years old.

OH...Thanks for the tip!! that makes alot of sense...actually..so, even the 1890s piece...that was being carbon dated by college kids project..was lucky they got it done...well..it is what it is..and thanks for the current offers folks.

Check with the museum. They WILL know. They have seen it all. I posted the link earlier.
Dave

Might have been "thermolumenesence" dating process instead. Not sure on that either. This was hear say on my behalf.

ahh...ok...interesting..regardless...but thanks for the views..and hope everyone enjoys seeing the piece....Richard