Hello, everyone.

I've been reading lots of posts and admiring the beautiful collections shown here. I only have one advert in my collection but I hope you'll indulge me.

My pre-1940 Player's cigarette advert is 32 inches by 60 inches enamel on steel. I'm very attached to it as it comes from my Grandmother's house.  I want to put a frame around this advert and display it in my kitchen. I have a wall that used to be an external wall all ready for it. The problem that I have is that no one seems at all sure about what the best way to go about hanging it is.

I know that I don't want to drill holes in it and use screws. I know that it originally had a frame around it - there is a 1 3/4" green band around it that where the frame used to be. I've had suggestions from using mirror hooks fixed to steel plates aruldited (is that a proper word?) to the back of the advert, to the less helpful "We'll make you a frame and you can get someone else to put it up". None of which is especially helpful.

I'm happy to commission a joiner to make me a frame but I need some guidance on what sort of a frame it needs to be and what sort of fixings would be needed. Can anyone help me please?  I would be ever so grateful.

Many thanks in advance.

I've just confirmed that the date is 1910. Here's a link to another copy which is not in anywhere near as good condition as mine:

http://www.advertisingantiques.co.u...temID=1812

There must be a collector out there who posts on this forum who can help this lady? 

It just so happens that I have just purchased the same sign and have the same challenge.  It would be extremely helpful if someone who has experience in mounting and framing enamel signs could make some suggestions or offer some help.

Thanks in advance.

I have numerous signs framed and hanging up (see pic) i have not done any myself but they are all similiar in construction. The sign is glued on to 20mm marine ply first and then bracket strips can be screwed through the ply and secured to a wall-hope this helps--david

this old lady weighed 65kg's and hangs up quite well for an old bag-

Piece of chipboard mounted on wall, thus only four screws used. Lower baton fixed to chipboard with several screws to support the weight of the whole sign, top and side batons require less fixing as they are purely to cover edges for show. I have much larger signs secured in this way, the benefit is the small number of screws actually used on your wll. Second pic. shows same formula unframed, suitable for most average sized signs. Only six screws holding this lot up, admittedley I have the advantage of early square topped skirting boards to take the weight. We have several whole sheets of board in the house which easily allow for moving signs around without any further wall fixing.

Lummox, Ive mailed and phoned you with regards to your unrelated question, no response?

Thank you very much, everyone who responded.

This advert doesn't have any screw holes in. My father tells me it was on display in a frame and could slide out. The green border showed a little around the edge but not totally.

I've found a company out in Soham who say they have dealt with such things before. They told me some options that fall into line with what you are reocmmending. If things go well I shall post a recommendation.

Now what I need to do is look at restoring it. It's in amazing condition apart from one chip on the front which is going rusty. Have any of you written a how-to guide by any chance?

I've had a couple of Players signs, both with original frames. The frames have been simple square sections (approx 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" finished,) 45 deg. bevel edge on two front edges, and grooved out to receive the sign. The frame can then be fixed to the wall using 'glass plates'. (The frame does have to be built around the sign, but I've just done it with a 5' tall job, and it looks great, painted black.)

If there's just one chip, (depending how large it is, and where it is,) I think I'd just leave it! Regard it as part of it's history!

Thanks for the photo. Your Invincible sailor is much more handsome than my Hero (He's got 'Hero' on his hat which is of course the name of the ship). The frame is just the sort of thing I was thinking of.

Looks terrific Sign Seeker.

Best Regards

Batley

Update

The hero is now installed on my kitchen wall. I got these people to make the frame and install it: http://www.bespokeframingworkshop.co.uk/. Quick turn around and a lovely frame. They used a French cleat so I can lift the whole thing off for decorating or moving. The frame is utterly gorgeous and the price was very reasonable. I can recommend them for the difficult job of framing antique enamel signs.

Thanks for all the help.

MUST BE WORTH A PICTURE THEN.."ANY CHANCE PLZ",IF YOU DONT MIND..