Early 20th Century “Columbia” Bicycles SSP Storefront Sign

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Early 20th Century “Columbia” Bicycles SSP Storefront Sign:
$2150.00

c. 1900s-1910s; mfd. by The Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Co. for Westfield Manufacturing Co. - Hartford, CTSingle-sided porcelain enamel (SSP) storefront sign promoting Columbia Hartford and Vedette Bicycles. The design features the distinctive Columbia script above "Hartford" and "Vedette Bicycles" in contrasting block lettering against a white porcelain field with decorative corner embellishments. The manufacturer's mark for The Baltimore Enamel & Novelty Co. is visible in the lower right corner. Intended for installation on the exterior of bicycle dealerships and sporting goods stores, the sign's durable porcelain enamel construction was designed to withstand long-term outdoor exposure while providing bold, highly visible advertising.The Westfield Manufacturing Company was among America's leading bicycle manufacturers during the cycling boom of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with its Columbia brand representing the firm's Flagship line. Vedette served as a secondary marque marketed alongside Columbia, allowing the company to reach multiple segments of the rapidly expanding bicycle market.Displays heavy age-related wear consistent with prolonged outdoor exposure. The porcelain enamel exhibits scattered scratches, surface grime, staining, numerous chips, and substantial areas of porcelain loss exposing the underlying steel, particularly along the edges, corners, and mounting holes. Several areas display heavy oxidation and rust where the enamel has been lost, including a large impact area within the Columbia script. The reverse is heavily oxidized throughout. Despite the extensive wear, the graphics remain legible and retain strong display appeal.24" L × 12" HMM - 21821 - 071626

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