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Vintage Railway Express Agency Two-Sided Depot Sign (NR)

DESCRIPTION

This is a vintage, heavy gauge, Railway Express Agency (REA) two-sided depot sign. This is an authentic REA sign of the type that you used to see years ago mounted on the side of railroad station in cities and towns across the country to advertise the location of the famous cargo express agency.

The 1940s-1950s era rectangular sign is made of steel (1/16" thick) with a baked-on porcelain surface in the REA's signature colors of red, white, and black in the familiar diamond logo. T is a 2" right angle bracket with four pre-drilled holes for mounting the sign. The bracket allows the sign to be installed perpendicular to a wall surface so that it can viewed from either side. The REA depot sign contains the message "PACKAGES RECEIVED " under the diamond logo. The REA sign measures 14" long and 12" wide and has been part of my collection of advertising items and railroad memorabilia for the past 30 years.

The Railway Express Agency (REA) established in 1917 was a rail express service, and at one time, the only one in the United States . Originally called the American Railway Express Company, its name was changed to REA in 1929. The Railway Express Agency was the cargo company of choice in its days. The REA had an arrangement with the railroads that they moved the cars and provided terminal space at their expense. The REA paid its own expenses and divided the profit among the railroads in proportion to the express traffic. REA handled carloads of cattle, race horses, and trainloads of fruits and vegetables as well as explosives and hazardous materials. For example, carloads of radioactive material were moved on regular schedules for the Atomic Energy Commission. T was practically nothing that REA did not handle at one time or another including circus animals. After World War II, express volume decreased substantially, and the Railway Express Agency was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1975.

CONDITION

The Railway Express Agency depot sign is in very good condition for its age and general use and exposure to the elements over the years. T are chips in the porcelain, but the sign is intact and the chipped spots add to the overall patina and character of the sign. This colorful advertising sign makes a fine presentation and would be an asset to any sign or railroad collection. Display the REA sign in your store, business, barn, garage, shop, garden shed, or family room!

Please look at the photo(s) and e-mail me with any questions you may have.

PAYMENT & SHIPPING

I accept PayPal, money orders, and cashier's checks. The buyer pays for shipping and optional insurance. I ship by United States Postal Service. Payment is due within 5 business days from the close of the auction. I will combine items to save on shipping costs.

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