Early 20th Century J. M. Ford (Blissfield, MI) Advertising Sign
c. 1910s; J. M. Ford Lumber & Hardware - Blissfield, Michigan
Rectangular painted metal trade sign advertising J. M. Ford's lumber, hardware, coal, and building supplies business in Blissfield, Michigan. The sign features a bold mustard-yellow field with black lettering and simple corner arrow graphics, a straightforward commercial layout typical of early 20th-century regional hardware suppliers. The lower black panel suggests it may have been used as a window, counter, or wall-mounted informational sign, possibly paired with chalk or paper notices below. Typography and palette place it firmly in the pre-World War I era, when clarity and durability outweighed decorative excess.
This sign was produced by The Kemper-Thomas Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, a prolific early manufacturer of enamel and painted metal advertising signs that supplied retailers nationwide during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Shows tape damage along the bottom edge, along with scattered surface wear and light scratches consistent with age and shop use. Paint remains stable overall, with strong contrast and legibility.
15" W x 21" H
MM - C-18283 - 121125
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