1941 Greenfield Tap and Die Company Embossed Metal Sign from Coshocton, Ohio

I purchased this sign from an older gentleman yesterday. I pulled to the side of the road to look around his garage sale, but I had not taken more than a couple of steps before I saw that his garage was filled with old license plates, old signs, bottles, clocks, all kinds of things. I eventually asked him whether any of it was for sale, and while he had only intended to sell what was on the tables, he said I could look through the garage and ask him about anything that struck me. As I was looking around we started talking about some of the older tin signs and the license plates, all of which were either hung from the rafters or, strangely, mounted flat against the ceiling. He told me that the only thing he collected in earnest was New York State license plates, and that the oldest ones he had, several from 1918 and the twenties, once belonged to his parents.

Most of the tin signs in his collection he wanted to hold onto for a while longer, but he decided to sell this one to me. It was hanging up on the wall behind some tools, wooden planks, and old hats. It seemed neglected, and I made him an offer on it. After a short pause, he said that that would be all right, and then we proceeded to take it down.

The sign itself is not in good condition, but I liked the orange and black color scheme. It was made by American Art Works Inc. in Coshocton, Ohio in 1941.