Pillsbury’s Best Flour — Painted Metal Advertising Sign
This large-format painted metal advertising sign for Pillsbury’s Best Flour dates to the early 1900s and exemplifies the strength and clarity of American commercial design during the height of the flour milling industry. The sign is notable for its commanding scale, bold lettering, and strong color contrast, all intended to attract attention in a competitive retail environment.
The painted surface displays a deeply developed patina, with pronounced checking, surface wear, and tonal variation consistent with age and long-term display. These characteristics lend the sign exceptional visual character and underscore its authenticity. There is no evidence of restoration, repainting, or enhancement, attributes increasingly valued by serious collectors of early advertising.
The sign retains its original wood frame, which remains intact and stable. The frame enhances the sign’s architectural presence and confirms its period construction. The overall presentation is cohesive and unaltered, with the surface and frame working together as a complete and original object.
Large, untouched examples of Pillsbury advertising are increasingly scarce, particularly those retaining both original paint and original framing. This sign stands as a strong and honest survivor of early American advertising and would make a significant statement within a collection of industrial graphics, country store material, or American commercial art.
Dimensions:
Approx. 59 3/4 in. W × 13 3/4 in. H
Condition:
Very fine overall condition. Original wood frame intact, with age expected wear.
Provenance:
Kentucky trade.