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  EARLY AMERICAN TRADE SIGN: “B. BRISCOE, TAILOR,” circa 1810-1850, WITH A BACKWARDS “S” AND EXTRAORDINARY SURFACE
Dimensions (inches): 16" tall x 66.75" wide x 1.75" deep
Description:
Early, painted, American trade sign, made of pine, with a molded edge, applied with “T”-head nails. In very dark green, almost black, rendered on an oyster white ground, the stylized and whimsical lettering reads: “B. Briscoe; Tailor” with a backwards “S.” I can’t decide if I like this feature better, or the painted surface, which is simply exceptional.

This is a second surface over the name of a previous tailor, “J. Bicknell.” To make the alteration, the first “B” was changed to a “J.” The second “B” was left in place. The “I” in Bicknell was turned into an “R.” The “ISCO” was painted over “CKN,” and the “E” was kept. The two “L’s” were painted over. “Tailor” was left in place. I estimate that the sign was constructed sometime between 1810 and the 1820’s then repainted between 1830 and the 1850’s, with the name altered to reflect the new owner.

The sign came out of the Lebanon, NY (Madison County, upstate, between Syracuse and Albany) area in the early 2,000's, and I suspect originated somewhere in the greater region. Condition: Extremely light, matt varnish applied to consolidate and preserve the original surface.
   
Primary Color: white. black, green
Earliest Date: 1810
Latest Date: 1850
For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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