Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Ask the expert
Dear Mike,
I have this Coca-Cola sign. It came from my father's store in the North End of Winnipeg. It is marked "St. Thomas Metal Signs Ltd. St. Thomas Ont." on the bottom right corner.
I do not want to sell it, but I am curious how old it is and what it might be worth.
-- Brenda B., Winnipeg
Dear Brenda,
Your sign is made of steel with a porcelain finish. It will measure approximately 14 x 30 inches. These were put on the bottom of doors and were called kickplates.
There are a few clues in dating your sign. The first clue is it says "Trademark registered" in the tail of the first C in Coca-Cola. This was done up to 1942. After 1942 it was printed under the Coca-Cola logo. The second clue is that Coca-Cola stopped using the colour green in 1939.
This sign was produced in Canada from 1938 to 1939. It has a few edge chips, yet the centre is in beautiful condition.
I recently sold the same sign in about the same condition for $1000.
Mike Huen is an antique dealer and owner of Mike's General Store in Winnipeg. If you would like to have an item appraised, please include a photo with your question. Email questions to mike@mikesgeneralstore.com, and put 'Free Press' in subject line, or write to Mike's Appraisals, 52 St. Anne's Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R2M 2Y3.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 29, 2012 E2
More Life & Style
- Back to Top
- Return to Life & Style
Poll
Most Popular Life & Style
- Indiegogo defends campaign for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's alleged crack video
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- U.S. court upholds Canadian company's patent for couples vibrator
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- B.C. says hikers can depend on mobile maps in woods, but rescue group concerned
- Recipes for potato salad, chicken drumettes and luscious lemon buttermilk cake
- Pets of the week
- 'WhatsApp Messenger' top paid iPhone app in Canada
- The old wooden church
- Bark in the park more than a lark
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Apple's big week
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- Small-town Ohio police chief gives quick repercussion for criminals through Facebook floggings
- Ontario workers who fear chemical made them sick told to file claim
- Doctors say public purse and public health at risk because of government cuts
- More than 400 people ordered to leave homes in Fort McMurray due to flooding
- The old wooden church
- Deadly liver cancer on the rise, but half of cases preventable: Cancer Society
- Climate change keeping early birds from getting worms: study
- Overabundance of carp threatening ecosystem at Saskatchewan's Wascana Lake
- Doc's memoir portrays ERs as frantic, funny, frightening ... but never dull
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Two dead, one injured after helicopter crashes north of Fort McMurray, Alberta
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Magazine's creator says style has no size
- Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the controversial abortion rights crusader, dead at 90
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- The old wooden church
- Conflict resolution, aboriginal-style
- It’s all in your mind
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Recipes for potato salad, chicken drumettes and luscious lemon buttermilk cake
- Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits north, with temps topping 80 degrees (26C) in Anchorage
- Canadian high school seniors in worse health than first-years. study shows
- Study shows commonly prescribed statin drugs and some antibiotics can interact
- Even elite athletes sometimes feel depressed after completing a marathon
- Website helps Parkinson's patients avoid protein-medication interaction
- The old wooden church
- Groin soreness sign of testicular cancer
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Turks and chaos
- Poor preschooler eating habits can raise cholesterol, set stage for heart disease
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- Just for kicks: shoe swap hits town
- Doc's memoir portrays ERs as frantic, funny, frightening ... but never dull
- Cramping their style
- Specialist moving to Toronto after 23 years at cutting-edge sleep lab
- Markdown maven tells world of Winnipeg deals
- Carb-loading and sports drinks: debunking marathon myths
- Iron overload often missed diagnosis for heart problems
- You can't break bad eating patterns, but you can modify them to your advantage
- Yaz and Yasmin pills linked to 23 deaths, say Health Canada documents
- His nose knows: City perfume maker can concoct your personal aroma
- Genealogical searches connect present to past
Ads by Google












You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.