duddly
Well-known member
-- I posted this in the garage sale thread but just for some context.
So I jumped on a Craigslist ad that had some cool looking vintage signs. The brands just happened to be machinists brands which is one of my favorite tool categories to collect. Brands like Starret, Lufkin, Browne & Sharpe. From looking at the condition of the signs in the ad I assumed they were reproductions but thought they would look great displayed with or near my tool collection.
When I picked them up I was surprised to learn that they were all original and likely 100 years old. They had hung over the counter in a family tool and die business in New Jersey that closed likely in the 70s, but had been in the family for 100 years before that. The grandkids had taken the signs and proudly displayed them for years, but now even they are at a time in their life when downsizing is called for.
updated - I heard back from the seller and these items came from Kienzle & Hahn, Newark NJ, which was on East Kinney St. the sellers maiden name was Hahn.
So instantly, your boy Duddly is the accidental curator of this group of antique counter signs. Not a collection gathered from all over, but a group of well loved signs passed down through a family. Rather than just accent pieces, the group has a life of it's own and I am still trying to get my bearings on how to display these and such.
One thing is for sure... I will not be touching/cleaning/etc them. I wiped the plastic covered ones with a damp cloth only. As with any new items, especially ones with a story the next step is to learn about them so I would welcome any input, help in narrowing down times, etc.
So I jumped on a Craigslist ad that had some cool looking vintage signs. The brands just happened to be machinists brands which is one of my favorite tool categories to collect. Brands like Starret, Lufkin, Browne & Sharpe. From looking at the condition of the signs in the ad I assumed they were reproductions but thought they would look great displayed with or near my tool collection.
When I picked them up I was surprised to learn that they were all original and likely 100 years old. They had hung over the counter in a family tool and die business in New Jersey that closed likely in the 70s, but had been in the family for 100 years before that. The grandkids had taken the signs and proudly displayed them for years, but now even they are at a time in their life when downsizing is called for.
updated - I heard back from the seller and these items came from Kienzle & Hahn, Newark NJ, which was on East Kinney St. the sellers maiden name was Hahn.
So instantly, your boy Duddly is the accidental curator of this group of antique counter signs. Not a collection gathered from all over, but a group of well loved signs passed down through a family. Rather than just accent pieces, the group has a life of it's own and I am still trying to get my bearings on how to display these and such.
One thing is for sure... I will not be touching/cleaning/etc them. I wiped the plastic covered ones with a damp cloth only. As with any new items, especially ones with a story the next step is to learn about them so I would welcome any input, help in narrowing down times, etc.
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