39 NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL AUCTION & SHOW

Lot 0010A « Prev Lot View All Lots Next Lot »

THE UNION FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE PRINTED TIN SIGN

Current Bid $500 (1 bid, reserve met)

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Lot Details

A very Early Rare printed tin sign for “The Union Fire & Marine of New Zealand, with images of a Maori Gent & Kiwi Bird. Size is 252mm x 176mm, condition is Very Good for the age, has a small wrinkle to bottom left and light wear/paint loss to bottom left and top right corners, light wear, minor marks, Very Good 8.5/10 From our research the age of the sign is likely made between 1877 & 1891, making it one of New Zealand earliest advertising signs. The Union Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand was established and issued its prospectus in Christchurch in July 1877, with its head office located on Hereford Street. It operated as a colonial enterprise with a capital of £2,000,000 before being acquired by the Alliance Assurance Co in 1891 and officially wound up. The sign was made by Wells & Hope Co. Established in 1845 and was located in Philadelphia, PA. The Wells and Hope Company was known for their production of lithographs specialized in metal signs, glass, and mirror advertisements. Among these signs were large and small, embossed, curved and flat, full colour as well as black, gold, and silver “shield signs”. Wells and Hope Co. was active up until the early 1890s era and eventually closed in 1907.