9. Exceptional 1910 Reach “Blue Ribbon Burley Bats” Tin Advertising Sign Extremely rare, colorful and bold tin sign issued around 1910 in conjunction with the promotion of Reach Sporting Goods’ promotion of their line of “Blue Ribbon” Bats. The colorful sign pictures three detailed bats, each a different model number, alongside an image of a ballplayer at bat, ostensibly wielding one of the “Burley” clubs. Extraordinarily colorful, this is one of the more attractive, desirable, and of course rare of all the advertising display signs of the era. The Reach Co. produced some of the finest tin lithograph advertising signs during an era when such signs were in their “golden age;” they were typically well-designed and colorful, and of exceptionally high quality. The signs are in considerably high demand today, and typically are not found available for sale with any regularity. Unlike many tin litho signs during the era, this one actually features embossing; the letters, bats, and player images actually stand out from the rest of the sign. The sign was manufactured by the American Art Works, an Ohio- based manufacturer of beer trays and advertising novelties best known for manufacturing Coca-Cola advertising trays favored by collectors today. The industry leader, the company was so strong that their home city of Coshocton became an economic hub, even during the Great Depression. Today, their products are highly
desirable among advertising collectors, part of the reason that Reach sporting goods advertising items are so seldom found. The extremely high production value is part of the reason this 6” x 13” sign has remained so attractive despite its visible wear. Indeed, the Reach company touted its quality and the considerable expense involved in manufacturing it, with printed instructions on the reverse: “This sign is one of a series and costs us big money to have them made...if, for any reason, you do not care to hang it up kindly return it to us and we will put it to work elsewhere.” While the Reach signs, in general, are very desirable (note the similar Reach baseball sign that sold in our Fall, 2018 sale for $20,400), it is the Blue Ribbon “Burley” Bats sign that is the most rare. Highly coveted among collectors, an example sold just three years ago for $45,000. The sign itself does exhibit surface wear in the form of visible oxidation, particularly along the bottom, along with mild surface abrasions. Some foxing and mild surface staining is visible on the reverse. It should be noted that this item is being offered with a modest reserve, well within the range of typical sale prices for this and other Reach signs. As is the case with any item we offer with a reserve, we will publish the exact dollar figure of the reserve within approximately 7 days of the auction close, provided that the reserve has not been met prior to that date. Consistent with our new “active reserve” policy, the bid price will then be brought within one bid increment of the reserve. An extremely rare and valuable piece, one of themost highly coveted of all the tin lithographic advertising display signs. MINIMUM BID: $3,000.00
Summer 2019 Premier Auction – Closes August 24, 2019
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