Ford Oval Porcelain Sign ID Help

[Model51]

Can anyone tell me about this sign? I've not see one so small and wonder what it could have been used for?

I purchased this porcelain sign at Hershey this year. It measures 12" across the oval and 9" from the top of the oval to the bottom of the "V". The back side is black and the metal is heavy gauge. I'm not a sign collector but thought it was a nice piece with good colors and the price was right for me.

I also noticed that the "8" has an oval shape to the bottom part. I'm used to seeing a pair of circles making up the "8" in the 1935-1936 era I'm most familiar with. Maybe this is a clue to it's age?

[35fordtn]

Dave I hate to tell you, this is one of the "patina" india knock offs. They are nice and look legit but aren't. See the Ebay seller below and look at their other listings. Sellers claim them to be vintage, but they all come from a place in india that gives them all unique rust and patina. Whilst I could be wrong, I have seen some pretty remarkable fakes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35766547099...Bk9SR8iMub_CZg

[mercman from oz]

[petehoovie]

Oops...

[nelsb01]

I have a similar one (see rectangle sign photo). Same thing, looks old but really isn't. I got this several years ago, not at Hershey. It measures 10.5 x 42 inches and has enough scratches and faded spots to make you think that it was an original porcelain. Most of the genuine Ford porcelain signs have a sign manufacturer's name along the edge. (like the neon sign photo)

But.....if you like it, then you only have to please yourself. I'm sure all of us Ford collectors out there have similar experiences.

[GB SISSON]

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Don't feel bad, Even the experts at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn been fooled. I personally have spent (way too many) hours making creations of mine look old. Mostly parts for old stationary engines, but wood furnishings as well. Below is a link to a short story that I stumbled upon in 1977, and since it involves the above mentioned museum it has some relevence here. Besides, the creator did nothing unethical and it still makes me smile 48 years later.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awrj...zjscAFL3qDV.A-

[mercman from oz]

[Model51]

Thanks for the input. I don't mind at all since I didn't pay much for it and only bought assuming it was a reproduction.

That said, I do like it and enjoy looking at it every day, so for me it was money well spent (rather than on a couple of Starbucks coffees).

[DavidG]

Here's an original used in the province of Quebec in Canada. It is roughly 40" x 32"

[Ray in La Mesa]

Gary, Kool story!

[35fordtn]

Dave these reproduction one have gotten so darn good it’s on certain ones hard to tell apart especially with the fake patina. But unless you are a hardcore sign collector who cares. It’s like comparing a brookville steel roadster body to an original.

[Model51]

Michael - I'm all about original Ford parts when it comes to my truck, but for this wall-hanging, I'm actually happy that it's a repro so I don't have to worry about what eventually happens to it (other than I will attach a "Made in India" label on the back). For the price I paid, it's a nice thing to look at every day.

[rockfla]

IF it helps you Dave OR anyone else following this post, here are my "Original" Ovals, BOTH ovals came off the Local Ford Dealer's "OLD" dealership building downtown from 1916 after they moved to the "burb's" in 1971 NO "property of" or trade mark type "fine" print, at least NOT in 1916.. The Ford Service arrow came off the Old Ford Dealer that was in Foley Ala. the neon part was done incorrectly and am fixing to have it redone. I was part of pulling them ALL off the buildings even when I was 6. I "had" always heard that the "fine" blue pin stripe outlining the Oval on the "Ford" was not "original" OR a "modern" addition.....SO thank you DavidR for sharing your sign and proving that myth just that, a myth!!! I can post pictures of the Backs of the ovals IF anyone wants that

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Here's an original used in the province of Quebec in Canada. It is roughly 40" x 32"

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rockfla

IF it helps you Dave OR anyone else following this post, here are my "Original" Ovals, BOTH ovals came off the Local Ford Dealer's "OLD" dealership building downtown from 1916 after they moved to the "burb's" in 1971 NO "property of" or trade mark type "fine" print, at least NOT in 1916.. The Ford Service arrow came off the Old Ford Dealer that was in Foley Ala. the neon part was done incorrectly and am fixing to have it redone. I was part of pulling them ALL off the buildings even when I was 6. I "had" always heard that the "fine" blue pin stripe outlining the Oval on the "Ford" was not "original" OR a "modern" addition.....SO thank you DavidR for sharing your sign and proving that myth just that, a myth!!! I can post pictures of the Backs of the ovals IF anyone wants that

[rockfla]

Thank you Pete, interesting to note the differences, especially the horizontal bar of the "Script F" and subsequent curly Q at the end and the spacing away from the horizontal body of the F

[nelsb01]

None neon Ford Dealership sign.
Interesting.
The only other time that you see that is when dealerships posted the sign outside of town letting drivers know that there was a Ford dealer in the next town.

I dont have a Ford merchandise catalogue that shows all the available signage. I think that our 1935 person may post some of the catalogue.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by nelsb01

None neon Ford Dealership sign.
Interesting.
The only other time that you see that is when dealerships posted the sign outside of town letting drivers know that there was a Ford dealer in the next town.

I dont have a Ford merchandise catalogue that shows all the available signage. I think that our 1935 person may post some of the catalogue.

Bruce
I, along with DavdR, have this original showroom neon. I ALSO have the V8 Ford Trucks neon, its damage currently BUT working on having it restored after my Service Arrow. These were "acquired" at the same time as three Ford Ovals we got in my earlier post!!!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Bruce
I, along with DavdR, have this original showroom neon. I ALSO have the V8 Ford Trucks neon, its damage currently BUT working on having it restored after my Service Arrow. These were "acquired" at the same time as three Ford Ovals we got in my earlier post!!!

[Model51]

My only original Ford signs are the V8 Truck hanging window display versions. I am fortunate to have two and both operate (with a modern transformer). It's hard to photograph a glowing neon sign, so here's my best attempts. Neither picture really gives them justice. I have one in my garage and one in my office for inspiration.