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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present: Asheford Institute of Antiques

APPRAISERS CORNER Certified Appraisal Training
www.asheford.com

with David L Moore CPAA, Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

Dear Appraiser Dave adding a coat of fine-grain colored sand or glass to the surface of the
My husband and I picked up this old “Harvesting Machines” wooden sign. This process added to the life of the sign and was used between
sign at an auction and would like to know if it is old and what it is worth. 1865 and 1935 on signage.
I say it is old and worth the $100 we paid for it, and my husband says Alligatoring and chalking on older signs are also signs of lead paint.
he just does not know, but it looks cool. The “Air Conditioning” sign I would be remiss if I did not mention so please use caution when
did not come with the “Harvesting Machines” sign, but we thought they handling old signs with lead paint because of the dangers of lead
looked good together. It is 54 1/4 inches long by 12 inches tall and is a one- poisoning etc. If the sign paint is flaking or chipping, use care when
sided sign. handling it and keep
Please help in it away from children
Valparaiso, Indiana – and pets. I would
Melissa suggest taking it to a
sign conservator to
Hi Melissa, and seek a solution in
thank you for choos- conservation without
ing me to answer your harm to the sign.
questions. By the pictures
I am going to cut you sent of the 54 1/4
to the chase here. “I inch x 12 inch
say it is old and worth “Harvesting
the $100 we paid for Machines” with the
it, and my husband International
says he just does not Harvester Company
know, but it looks cool.” Loosely translated: “My Husband thinks it brand logo, the sign appears to be circa 1910. It has original lead paint
looks cool, but also thinks I paid too much for it. He would buy me with a smalted surface. There is alligatoring and staining commensurate
roses and fix dinner tonight if it is old and worth a lot of money.” with the age of the sign. Although I would have to inspect it in person,
Melissa, I would ask for Lobster and steak along with the most I do believe that this sign has been cut. I believe it originally had the
expensive bottle of Cabernet you can find. word McCormick before Harvesting Machines and was much longer in
What you have here is a brand name harvesting farm machine or size. This could have been done 100 years ago and was still used this
Combine advertisement for IHC – International Harvester way. It is lettered only on one side.
Company.International Harvester Company got its start in 1902 with So, in answer to your questions; yes, the sign is old; and yes, it is worth
the merging of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and considerably more than you paid. If I were to see this 54 1/4 inch x
Deering Harvester Company along with three smaller companies, 12 inch International Harvester Company sign as described above at a
Milwaukee, Plano, and Warder. They sold agricul- well-advertised advertising auction, I would expect to
tural harvesting machines and equipment, lawn and pay an estimated $800+. One original size sign sold at
garden tools, as well as commercial trucks and auction in 2018 for $2200.00, but it was just about
automobiles. The company lasted until the 1980s three times longer and had “McCormick Harvesting
when all was sold, except for International trucks, Machines IHC.”
which is now known as Navistar. Hang it and enjoy it for the antique it is. Those
This sign is a very early hand-lettered advertise- roses are sure going to smell good!
ment for International Harvester Company. I asked
for a close-up of the sign, and you sent a close-up of David L Moore
the letter E in Harvesting. You will notice the crazing Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser
or “alligatoring” and staining on the sign. This is
an original and is something the fakers can never
get right. David Moore is part of the school’s “Ask The
A second sign of age is if you touch the face of the Experts” appraising team, and is an honors
graduate and “Certified” Asheford Institute of
sign, it will feel like it was coated with sand, and Antiques Appraiser. Moore owns Waterman’s
you will notice a chalky coating on the white paint Antiques, was President of the Indiana
especially. The sandy feel is because the sign went Archaeo logical Society, and is a published
author, with over 50 years of experience in the
through a smalting process. Smalting is the process of research and study of antiques and collectibles.

Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques &
Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com.

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