1908 New England Telephone sign with fingertip marks

[rfkimba]

Hi All,
I recently acquired at an Indiana auction an 18x18 near mint sign for $380. Upon examination of the reverse   I noted with interest the linear indentations made by the firing rack this sign was placed on .
Interestingly there are 5 finger tip marks in white the blue field of the near  lower  reverse center edge and 4 white marks at the right reverse corner. However there are no fingerprints available for forensic analysis!
Thoughts?
Regards,
Bob Farber

[kleenax]

Great looking sign!

I am not that savvy on determining if signs are original or reproduction, and am always leery of "vintage" porcelain signs that are mint and have grommets in them. Just seems weird to see grommets in a sign that old, BUT I would be the 1st to say that I'm not qualified to make that determination.

As for the fingerprint marks, I have seen that before on porcelain signs.

[Doug Rose]

I have the same sign without grommets. My sign was purchased framed because there was no way to hang it without the holes.  Mine survived target practice with a BB gun. Janet found this at Brimfield a few years ago for half of what you paid, but it does have the BB marks. Nice sign, I love the NET stuff.....Doug

[Sargeguy]

See the recent post I made about the 1895 NET&T Co sign, it has a whole handprint on the back.  Nice looking sign.  It is legit.  Who is the maker?  The ones I've seen are all ING-RICH, but they usually aren't so sloppy.  I had this same (not as nice) sign, but sold it when I got the version with the red arrow. 

I have an 1895 pattern with no holes.  It shows signs of having been framed as well.

[kleenax]

See the recent post I made about the 1895 NET&T Co sign, it has a whole handprint on the back.  Nice looking sign.  It is legit.  Who is the maker?  The ones I've seen are all ING-RICH, but they usually aren't so sloppy.  I had this same (not as nice) sign, but sold it when I got the version with the red arrow. 

I have an 1895 pattern with no holes.  It shows signs of having been framed as well.

Those signs with the RED ARROW are UBER scarce!  Great find I'd say Sarge!

[rfkimba]

Hi Guys,
My  mint 1985-1908 NET&T sign has NO makers mark  visible when checked under magnification.
Regards,
Bob Farber

[Sargeguy]

Now that you mention it, most 1908 signs had no maker's marks