Optician Sign190018 1/4 × 60 3/8 × 1 1/4"Gilded and painted cast zincGift of Laura Harding1985.17.10(including construction) Large cast zinc trade sign in the form of wire rim spectacles with banner below bearing the inscription in black lettering, "322 Louis Chasin 322." Two large blue eyes with eyelashes and triangular "glint" each eye. Traces of gilding remain on wire rims and on ground banner.Spectacles cast in two pieces, front and back, and soldered together; ribbon separately cast and attached to bottom of spectacles. Ring over each lens for hanging sign.152769792Artist unidentifiedArchitectureFlying banner below spectacles bearing the legend, both sides:322 Louis Chasin 322 in black block lettering.http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster28734United StatesPennsylvaniaThree Dimensional WorksAdam ReichTrade SignObject information is a work in progress and
may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the
American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgTrade signs have been a familiar sight in America since its commercial beginnings. The earliest signs advertised taverns and inns, but it was not long before shop signs for specific trades made their appearance. The most successful trade sign was one that was eyecatching and self explanatory, with little writing, since the public was largely illiterate. As the 19th century progressed, signs grew larger to attract attention and were often made of decorated metal painted in bright colors. They also began to incorporate slogans and other writing as the public became more educated. This example is nearly identical to one illustrated in the Ex. Cat. cited above, though of a larger size, illustrating that this was a commercial piece, mass produced, that could be ordered for display by an individual concern.http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster28734http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster28734http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster2873419001900 1985 17 1 Trade SignObject information is a work in progress and
may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the
American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgTrade signs have been a familiar sight in America since its commercial beginnings. The earliest signs advertised taverns and inns, but it was not long before shop signs for specific trades made their appearance. The most successful trade sign was one that was eyecatching and self explanatory, with little writing, since the public was largely illiterate. As the 19th century progressed, signs grew larger to attract attention and were often made of decorated metal painted in bright colors. They also began to incorporate slogans and other writing as the public became more educated. This example is nearly identical to one illustrated in the Ex. Cat. cited above, though of a larger size, illustrating that this was a commercial piece, mass produced, that could be ordered for display by an individual concern.