Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Advertising Tin Sign "The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia" Circa 1885

$7,995
£6,066.42
€6,936.41
CA$11,166.85
A$12,416.01
CHF 6,482.96
MX$151,133.13
NOK 82,719.72
SEK 77,504.42
DKK 51,767.71
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This is a very rare and early (circa 1885) tin advertising sign, commissioned by the Delaware Insurance Company, located and founded in Philadelphia in 1835. It was probably made by noted late 19th century sign maker, Sentenne & Green, of New York City, established in the 1870's. With an Indian motif, the sign features a Native American Indian, front and center, decorated in a brown and green headdress; with red, cream and aqua clothing and a large gold medallion hanging from his neck. "Just"--"Prompt"--"Certain", in prominent gold letters on a circular aqua background displays their motto; while gold, white, and aqua lettering on a light brownish background completes the decoration. "Fire" and "Marine" seemed to be the coverage sponsored by The Delaware Insurance Company. They were located on 3rd Street and Walnut Street in Philadelphia (as noted in an archival reference I located from 1895). The sign is mounted in it's original deep grained oak frame; the paper backing has been replaced for conservation. The sign is in good original condition and there has been no touch up, repair, repaint, or restoration of any kind. The colors are bright albeit, there is a certain amount of pitting throughout the sign (see images), and the left border is a little "wavy". Dimensions: overall 31" high x 23" wide (actual sign is 26 3/4" high x 19" wide) I have been dealing and collecting for over 50 years and never have seen this sign. It has been in my collection since 1998. Because of it's rarity and early date of manufacture, coupled with a Native American Indian theme, this example is a much sought after item by both advertising and Americana enthusiasts. Note: See other outstanding tin advertising signs I have for sale. Note: I am a second generation antiques dealer and have been in business for 50 years; I am also a member of several prestigious antique associations. Thus, I am well qualified to inspect and evaluate the products I offer for sale and I guarantee this to be authentic and as I have described.
  • Attributed to:
    The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Tin,Polychromed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1885
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973223490322

More From This Seller

View All
"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

"Brookfield Rye" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1901
By The Meek Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Beautiful semi-nude woman with translucent negligee, holding a bottle of "Brookfield Rye" whiskey is the focal point of this chromolithographic tin advertising sign, used to promote ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Tin

"In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1906
By Charles Shonk Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

McKenney and Hall Hand-Painted Lithograph "Chippeway Widow", circa 1837
By McKenney & Hall
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Chippeway Widow" hand-painted color lithograph on paper depicts a Native American Indian woman lamenting the death of her husband, presum...
Category

Antique 1830s Native American Prints

Materials

Paper

Advertising Sign 'La Belle Chocolatiere' Walter Baker & Co. Ltd., circa 1900
By Charles Shonk Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare and iconic piece of early advertising, branding the Walter Baker Chocolate Company and standing over 4 feet tall. Much history surroun...
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

"Grape Nuts" Self Framed Tin Sign, circa 1912
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Grape Nuts" self framed tin sign is one of the most sought after advertising signs by collectors, especially in this near mint condition with bright colors...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Tin

You May Also Like

Antique Dutchess of Poughkeepsie NY Fire Insurance Reverse Painted Glass Sign
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Dutchess of Poughkeepsie NY Fire insurance reverse painted glass advertisement sign. Item features "Dutchess of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Fire Ins...
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Signs

Materials

Glass, Oak

Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The carved wood and polychromed sign depicts a winged-foot Mercury figure surrounded by ...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Reclaimed Hand Painted Pub Sign 'The Pier'
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed hand painted double sided English pub sign named ’The Pier’. Salvaged from a pub in Devon, this sign is a display of English heritage, evoking the story of pub goers and ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Pine

19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign for an old upholstery shop in San Francisco. A rare piece of San Francisco history...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs

Materials

Wood

Samuel Robb Carved Tobacciana Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tobacciana trade sign carved by Samuel Robb, New York, Circa 1885. Figure holds a knife and bundle of cigars with tobacco boxes. Retains original base. Total height from floor is 74"...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Royal Trust Company Framed Wall Plaque with Indigenous Chief
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wall plaque is unsigned with respect to the maker, but it is presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1950 in a traditional style. The plaque is composed of a very ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian American Classical Decorative Art

Materials

Spelter