Hi, Thanks for your comments, on close inspection there does seem to be ancient grime down the crevices suggesting age and the paintwork seems to be the old lead based paint. can i ask what basis you think its repro, have you seen one before ?  I have seen many fairground signs that were obviousley made yesterday. I welcome all comments good or bad thats the beauty of the forum, theres always some one out there whos more knows more than you. Regards, Keith

Hi Keith

Thats an interesting and very ' difficult to answer ' question. I once watched a really skilled bricklayer at work , and asked him how did he lay them so accurately, ... and so straight,  and so fast , ....how did he get the mortar mix right etc, etc.

He said I don't really know . I just do it and after all these years its always right !!

I don't claim to know anymore about advertising stuff than the next man, in fact I'm sure I know less that alot .................but I just look at your sign and think everything about it looks wrong ? ...........why exactly ?  SORRY to me its just wrong.............paint colour, style, wear, lettering, colour of the wood.

To me its just plain wrong

Cheers lummox

 Lummox pretty much said it all. 

This is a fantasy piece. 

I've dealt in vintage fairground & circus items for years.

Genuine pieces like this are rare.

This is a fairly well made "tourist piece"  Old wood, dirt & grime in the cracks, likely old screws & fasteners.  Painted by a fairly amateur hand. 

If it were a painting & passed off as genuine, the fraud squad would be involved. 

James 

 Hi, Thanks for your comments Al and Lummox, its nailed at the back, cant find any screws at the front, can i just say the photo flash has bleached the true tonal colours and it is quite a dark coloured sign. Once again thanks to all for your replies, i shall be taking it to an Amusement / Fairground auction soon where it will either sink or swim !!

Cheers. Keith