Hi,

Newbie to the forum, but 35+ years in antique collecting and selling, specialising in very early lighting and heating (1400 - 1750)

I just bought these old enamel signs and although I know the Lyons Ink sign, I am fascinated if anyone can shed any light on the Clarion Official Caterers sign?

I believe it came from Norfolk in the 1960's. There is no reference on Google to a UK caterer called Clarion but they must have been quite important to have had such a sign made for them?

Looking forward to getting active in the group

TIA

Vigman

 Many, many thanks. That is an old logo for the Clarion Cycle Club.

I'm not sure if neither, either or both signs will be for sale but this forum is unusual as I see there are sections for buying and sellng.

Is discussion of valuation forbidden in the main forum, please? (It is in my watch and glass forums).

Vigman

Many thanks for the welcome. It looks like an excellent site and I'm really pleased I've found it.

Never offended by people offering me money and I already PM'd the original enquirer!

I have amassed many advertising items over my years in dealing and collecting and will look forward to coming back here more often.

I find signs hard to value. When I had a shop we used to have rules such as "Writing only, one colour, well known company" value range £a - £d up to "multi coloured with pictures of a rare company" £x - £z.

Only trouble is that I have no idea of what £a or £z are these days!! I have just sold decent Georgian and Victorian itmes at auction at laughably low prices due to the change in buying trends.

Cheers

Vigman

 Welcome to ALs[ second to none site] vigman  as you say its a buyers market today anyone with a georgian house and wants to fill it with period furniture will do it for a 1/4 of the price,,I saw a quality walnut chest on chest go for £1200,,20 years ago it would have made £7000 to £10,000,,the larger pieces make even less.

 I just had to sell the best Georgian round fronted Cuban mahogany corner cupboard I have ever seen. In my shop days I would have got 700-1000....it got just 80gbp before commission at a good auction house!!!!

6 x 18th C Welsh country chairs got 30gbp.....! (Everything had to go with no reserve as it was clearing my in-laws house for sale and ALL my storage is full)

I also put THREE copper warming pans out for 10gbp for them all at a boot sale....and still they didn't sell. I would have got 50-80 each about 20 years ago!

This is why I have no idea what my newly aquired signs might be worth.......any clues, please?

TIA

Vigman

In my opinion the Lyons Ink has slightly wider appeal than the Clarion Caterers. I´d say 80 pounds for the Ink as it seems to have a bit of scratch damage?? and 50 - 60 for the other

 Thanks. I only got them the day I posted and they are 'as taken off the wall' condition!

I think quite a lot of surface marking is mostly dirt, so soap, water and possibly vinegar may make a great improvement!?

 Many thanks, I'll PM you, David!

Vigman

Many thanks!

Yes I have 500+ sales (100% positive) on Ebay but the new postal rates and commission on postage has killed it for me.

So pleased I have found this site for some of my items...!

Vigman

 Hi again

I'm just wondering what postal or courier services folks use for signs. With my famous packing (on Ebay) the Clarion sign weighs 3.3 kilo.

I was going to look for a courier instead of Royal Mail/Parcelforce, but have only read bad reviews of MyHermes, Yodel and CitiLink?

Also the Lyons ink sign only has dirty streaks on it not scratches. There are two small rust areas (size of a 10p) but this seems to be on top of the surface.

As buying/selling is permitted here....any offers,please?

TIA

Vigman

Hi ya pal,,will go £110.. for ink sign..