October Fall Classic
Lot 1106:
Description
This is an excellent lot of seven vintage industrial brass and metal shipping stencils, clearly used heavily throughout the mid-20th century for commercial packing. As a collector, I find these fascinating relics of the packaging and shipping industry, showing the diversity of goods being moved, from “EXTRA LARGE ROASTING CHICKENS” and “SHEEP CASINGS” (J.G. Leser Co., Inc. of Milwaukee, WIS.) to “MAINE BLUEBERRIES” and “EMPIRE APPLES CANADA” (Packed by Fred R. Pineo of Weston, N.S.). The lot includes a unique Canadian apple crate stencil with a “GOOD LUCK” horseshoe motif, a stencil for “N. JENSEN MIKESVILLE, WIS.”, a plain “GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE” warning, and a smaller, two-part blueberry can stencil. The items are constructed primarily of thin brass or copper-toned metal; the blueberry stencil has a riveted black metal reinforcing piece. Condition is good, consistent with heavy use: all show a deep, appealing patina, surface scratches, paint/ink residue, minor bends to the thin metal, and general wear around the stencil cutouts. All pieces are intact with no major breaks or missing parts. The largest, the Jensen return stencil, is H 9.5″, W 16″. The smallest rectangular stencil, “GLASS HANDLE WITH CARE,” is H 6″, W 12″. The circular casing stencil is H 9″, W 9″. See photos.
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