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This is a fantastic piece of American advertising history an original vintage hand-stenciled wooden trade sign from Koehler Manufacturers, a furniture company that operated out of 1138 E. Blackford Ave Evansville, Indiana.
The sign reads “KOEHLER MFGRS BETTER LIVING ROOM FURNITURE RECOVERING-REBUILDING” along with their telephone number, TEL-2-6112, which is a classic pre-1960s exchange-style phone number format, helping date this piece to roughly the 1940s–1950s era.
The sign is constructed of multiple wooden planks joined together and features bold white stenciled lettering on a dark/black painted background.
The weathered, aged patina gives it an authentic worn appearance consistent with its age, showing natural paint loss and surface wear that only adds to its charm and originality.
Evansville, Indiana was a thriving mid-century industrial and commercial city, and local furniture manufacturers like Koehler were common fixtures of working class neighborhoods.
The recovering and reupholstering service noted on the sign reflects the post-WWII era’s emphasis on refurbishing and repairing furniture rather than replacing it a true snapshot of Americana.
This piece would make a stunning addition to any collection of antique advertising signage, Americana, Indiana memorabilia, or industrial farmhouse décor. It displays beautifully leaned against a wall or hung as folk art.
