Life & Style

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Ask the expert

By: Mike Huen

Posted: 09/29/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

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

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