Exceptionally rare, monumental size ca1900 Tin Lithographed Advertising Sign for the \"Ballard\'s Obelisk Flour\" measuring a whopping 33\" by 45 1/2\" and mounted in its original wood frame.

This Sign, lithographed by Charles Shonk of Chicago, is far and away THE largest Tin Litho Advertising Sign we have seen much less owned. It is so large that it was actually manufactured in 2 pieces and assembled in the original frame that it still retains.

The Sign features a simply fantastic image of a charming young Sailor - perhaps a Cabin Boy - seated atop a wooden keg of Ballard\'s Obelisk Flour. He leans over another barrel of Obelisk Flour writing a letter home. Behind the Sailor there is a view of an exotic Arabian city on the waterfront.

The only text on the Sign is on the beautiful barrel labels attached to the Obelisk Flour kegs along with the Sailors hatband which reads \"Obelisk\". The Sign does carry the mark of the lithographer - Charles W. Shonk - at the lower right hand corner. We have been unable to uncover any information about this massive Tin Litho Sign nor have we been able to uncover any sale or sales records over the past 40 or more years. We believe the Sign to be exceptionally and perhaps the only known example.

This very rare and beautiful, ca1900 Ballard\'s Obelisk Flour, Tin Litho Advertising Sign is not a reproduction, reissue or restrike but is an original Sign manufactured and displayed around 1900.

Ballard and Ballard Company, also known as Ballar\'s Obelisk Flour and Ballard Mills, was founded by Samuel Thruston Ballard and Charles T. Ballard in Louisville, Kentucky in 1880. The Ballard and Ballard Mill was said to be the largest wheat mill in the world. The principal product of the mill was Obelisk Flour. Pioneers in the development of friendly relations between capital and labor and was one of the first employers to adopt profit sharing plans in 1889. It was the first flour mill in the US to put laborers on 8 hour basis establishing, in 1906, three shifts of eight hours each.

This rare and wonderful, Ballard\'s Obelisk Flour Advertising Sign is in very good condition and displays nicely - the lithography is bright, crisp and the colors are rich and warm. There are scattered small spots of surface wear, surface blemishes, rubs and tiny nicks to the lithographed surface. It appears that there might have been some flaking in the past but the surface is stable and sound with no active flaking. The sheer size of this wonderful Advertising Sign makes it one of the most impressive we have ever had the pleasure to own and the Sign displays nicely. Please see the scans below for a good indication of the form and condition of this outstanding Advertising Sign.

A very rare and original, monumental size ca1900 Tin Lithographed Advertising Sign for the \"Ballard\'s Obelisk Flour\" and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!

Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at buyers request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.

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Important Notes about Shipping Charges:

The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 \"packing fee\" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee. Please contact us if there are any issues regarding the cost of shipping.

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