-40%

1939 Acme Waiter Die-Cut Cardboard Beer Sign; Artist Simon Vanderlaan's Estate

$ 1055.97

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer

    Description

    This is perhaps the only known survivor of this sign that was put into production for a very short period in 1939 by the Acme Brewing Company of San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA (see 7th picture for the union label on the sign).  It is a glossy-coated cardboard die-cut sign that measures the full 10 inches x 10 inches that was a standard size for this counter display/backbar sign.  It came from the Artist's Estate (Simon Vanderlaan).  If you google him, you will see he created commercial art for many brands of that era.
    This auction also includes a 5 inch x 10 inch original photograph of how the billboard art with this image looked during that 1939 adv. campaign for Acme.  I couldn't break up this unique display and sell them separately.  The entire presentation piece is 14 inches x 19 inches and would look incredible framed.
    In my 47 very active years of collecting beer advertising and signs, I have never seen another example of this sign, nor have any other advanced collectors that I know.
    Both the sign and the picture of the billboard are adhered to a black cardboard presentation mat.  The handwriting "Billboard and Counter Display" below the sign is most likely that of the artist, as you can compare the lettering with his signature on some of his other art if you google him.
    I got this sign in 2018 from the original seller of the Simon Vanderlaan estate.  You'll be hard-pressed to even find an image of this impossible sign elsewhere, but if you do, I'm happy to provide an update on this auction listing for everyone else to see.
    Starting with a very reasonable opening bid, all things considered.  It is a telling symbol of how African Americans have been depicted in history in the United States.  Don't miss out on this striking Art Deco piece. Given the subject matter, it transcends breweriana collecting.
    Good luck with your bid(s)!
    SELLING OTHER CANS & BREWERIANA AND I COMBINE SHIPPING.
    **SELLING OTHER GREAT ON-GRADE BEER CANS and breweriana TONIGHT--I COMBINE SHIPPING for all beer cans bought so no extra charge for beer cans that I sell, no matter how many you get!
    15 Day Full Money back refund, including shipping costs both ways if not completely satisfied.
    40+ year member of the BCCA.