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Original Antique Advertising – Reverse-Painted Glass – Elaborate Metallic Decoration – Substantial Period-Style Frame
Offered from a private collection is this remarkable vintage Reid’s Ice Cream advertising sign, featuring an exceptionally attractive combination of deep red background, bold cream-colored lettering, contrasting dark outlines, and elaborate silver-toned decorative ornamentation.
This is a striking example of traditional reverse-painted glass advertising, a technique in which lettering and decorative elements are applied to the reverse side of the glass, allowing the finished advertisement to be viewed through the front surface.
MEASUREMENTS
Overall framed dimensions: Approximately 20 × 20 inches.
The sign is housed in an exceptionally substantial, deep, heavily constructed decorative frame.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The advertisement features prominent Reid’s Ice Cream lettering, a rich red background, and finely detailed ornamental elements.
Especially interesting is the metallic-looking decorative work, which exhibits extensive natural aging, oxidation-like discoloration, cracking, and areas of loss.
Close examination reveals multiple layers of decorative material and exposed printed paper beneath areas of deteriorated ornamentation.
Sections of the exposed paper contain legible printed words, offering an intriguing glimpse into the sign’s construction history.
The precise purpose and date of this printed material have not been established.
CONDITION
Antique condition with substantial age-related wear to the reverse-painted decoration.
Areas of paint loss, flaking, cracking, discoloration, and exposed underlying material are visible, particularly around the ornamental borders and metallic details.
The red background and principal advertising lettering remain visually striking.
The visible glass perimeter appears intact, with no obvious edge chips observed during inspection. The glass has not been removed from its frame, and its complete condition cannot be guaranteed.
The existing frame shows age and wear consistent with an older decorative presentation.
No restoration or conservation work has been performed by the current owner.
AGE AND AUTHENTICITY
Believed to be an older example of reverse-painted advertising, potentially dating to the early 20th century.
The exact manufacturing date, original maker, and age of the existing frame remain unverified.
The sign is being offered in its present framed condition, with its historical surface and construction undisturbed.
COLLECTOR APPEAL
An unusual display piece for collectors of antique advertising, ice cream and dairy memorabilia, soda fountain history, general store advertising, reverse-painted glass, and American commercial folk art.
The combination of strong graphics, elaborate decoration, aged metallic elements, and surviving historical construction details makes this a particularly interesting piece for further research.
IMPORTANT SHIPPING AND HANDLING INFORMATION
Due to the fragile reverse-painted surface, substantial frame, and age-related deterioration, professional packing is strongly recommended.
Local pickup is preferred. Any shipping arrangement should be discussed and agreed upon before purchase.
The sign will be sold as photographed, with no attempt to remove the glass, clean the original painted surface, or disturb the existing backing.
Please carefully review all photographs, particularly the close-ups documenting the original surface and condition.
An appealing and unusual survivor of traditional glass advertising, offered with its aged character intact. Features two through-glass mounting holes, potentially original to the sign's construction. Currently displayed in a substantial 20 × 20-inch decorative frame. The original glass has not been removed from its present mounting.
I would still avoid hanging it by those holes until their condition is professionally checked.
This strengthens the case that the sign was originally a standalone advertising display, although we still need to establish whether the holes are factory-made.
