Posted 13 years ago
Daddy_Nobu…
(151 items)
I'm pretty excited tonight after acquiring this 10"x16" reverse-painted glass mirror with 1930's Coca-Cola period fountain glass decal, etched "HIDE-A-WAY". I've not seen another and I am absolutely convinced this beauty I brought out of The Motor City is authentic. It's a solid piece of cut lead glass painted on the back side, first with mirror finish paint, surrounded by a thin, metallic silver border, then finished off with a layer of black. Please note glass was cut to arrow shape and etched, leading me to believe this may have hung at a soda fountain pointing the way to the good stuff in a tavern or resort (?the "HIDE-A-WAY"?). The decal itself is 3"x4 3/4", shows Trade Mark printed in tail of long "C". The hanger is secured by flower motif metal bolts, which further contribute to the incredible quality of this piece. It's Rough, but It's Right, Guys! I've added a collage showing Coca-Cola fountain glasses from early 30's ads, superimposed next to that on my mirror (and a couple real 30's fountain glasses I just had to snag to go along with it). I welcome any comments, critiques, or additional info from you good folks. Thanks. -- Dave
I don't want to say it's fake, and I don't want ot say it's real, either. It's not a listed coke item, and seems the trade mark registered would be more clear. But, the mirror does look period and is a art deco like style. So, I hope earlycoke can fill us in.
Hi cckid, was hoping to hear from you! I take it as a good omen that you aren't sure. :) The mirror and decal are authentic, and they have been together for a long time. The trade mark info is faded, but clear under the magnifying glass (hard to take a close up of a mirror!). Whether Coca-Cola put this baby out, is an open question. I sure hope earlycoke, Ray (anonymous?), Tommy, Perry, Trevor, Bernie, all the gang weighs in. I'm glad to post this one for consideration, no matter the finding. Thanks for getting the ball rolling!
Even if it isn't genuine Coca-Cola, I like it from the mirror stand point too. Maybe a C-C distributor took creative license with it way back when.
Right, that's the other possibility, that the decal was added to the mirror by an entity other than Coca-Cola. But the way the glass is cut (arrow), quality of the decal, paint job, etching, the little details,... just screams Coke soda fountain sign. Thanks Tommy, good stuff!
Hi Dave, definitely an original vintage piece,probably not put out by the Company, but by either a local artist or small company making regional trade pieces for a retail establishment. It must be quite heavy! It looks really cool, and it's value is less important than how it looks as part of your collection, and it definitely is unique!Good buy!
Thanks Bernie! (paid well under a C-note for it!)
Yes this is an interesting piece. I believe it to be of the period (mi-late 30's), but something possibly made up by the bottler or jobber with a decal similar to something that would go on a drug store window (although those were reverse applied), or possibly like something that would go on the entry door. It is an interesting item. I probably would have bought it myself. I do like it.
Thanks again. You made my night. I really appreciate the insight from you and all the CW members. Makes this a great site.
A real winner from what I can see Dave! Quite a find indeed.
WTG man!
Thanks Perry!
Man, I saw a 1935 "Out Fishin" Norman Rockwell CC calendar today in an antique store, I had my doubts right away cause I knew they reproduced these in 1991. Sure enough the top 2 sheets had been removed and that's the dead giveaway.
There was also a second reproduction that was not a CC authorized product!
It doesn't have the 2 top sheets. Sneaky! Beware guys and gals, FYI
It can be a jungle out there, that's for sure. The 6x18 porcelain sign was a close call for me. (CW just deleted that entire posting for some reason. Sheesh!)
I take it you didn't get the sign?? I was wodering how you made out with it.
Hey Tommy. We'll see, it's ongoing. I went back and forth but ultimately canceled the transaction. Seller is not a happy camper. I asked him not to ship it but he did, he said no way he's honoring his 7-day return policy and issuing refund. So looks like I may have to open a case. If anything, we're probably going to find out if it's authentic or not. I'm still clueless as to why CW deleted that posting...
Sorry about the sign deal, bud. CW has done a ton of deleting lately it seems !!!
Have you researched Hide-A-Way?
Was that a real place 'soda fountain' somewhere in time?
Just a thought.
Hi hotkitties, I Googled Hide-A-Way a few times and was surprised how many establishments there are/were that use this name. Resorts and Taverns. I found a few that have been around for 70-80 years, one in New Jersey seemed promising. But I concluded that particular somewhere in time is too long past to recapture! Thanks for the thought. I sure enjoy that piece of glass.
Hey Tommy, I did get a nice note from 2 CW reps. Apparently they don't like members posting items not their own. So the images I put up of the two similar signs I found on eBay was a no-no. I have to say, their customer service reps are skilled in softening the slap-down... very pleasant. :)