Controversial Lighted 1930s Schenleys Whiskey Bar Sign

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Controversial Lighted 1930s Schenleys Whiskey Bar Sign

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Sold Date: 11/27/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Advertising

This Sign came from one of the Neighborhood Bars in Minneapolis. I saw it at the Auction (the bar has long since been torn down) and thought it would be a nice addition to the game room but never got around to putting it up. Now we're moving and I don't want to risk this being broken.

The Reverse-painted Glass is Perfect - (Four Colors (Yl,Blk,Rd,Wht) Silk-Screened onto Glass ), and the Crinkly Black exterior Paint (Japanning?) is in remarkably Good Condition.T are (Art Deco) accent Bars of yellow and Red that Surround the Main Image that are made of some type of early Plastic. The Original wiring has been replaced but I think the Porcelain Light Socket is Original (25 Watt bulb) When they replaced the Wiring they didn't put in an ON-OFF Switch, they just plugged it into the Outlet. T are two Metal Loop Rings on the Sides for suspending the Sign from a Chain. I think this was probably a Hand-Built Sign.

This is a Beautiful Piece of Vintage Americana, because of the "Japanning" it probably dates to between the Wars, I'd Guess 1930s - 1940s but maybe earlier. I researched the maker but Shanks Signs New York turned up nothing and only one other Schenleys Whiskey Sign for some Enormous money.

I did some research on this and although I couldn't find this Light or any other similar Schenleys Signs I did find out that the Quaker Community was very Upset about using the Image of a Quaker to Sell Liquor and Schenley's was forced to change their Design because of the Controvery ... this was probably the original Political Correctness Lawsuit...haha

Anyway, the Sign Measures 18 X 12 X 4 1/2 Inches. Pretty Cool little piece of Barware.

Have fun and thanks for looking.