The year 1899 is used for genuine as well as modern fabricated advertising signs and other Green River Whiskey collectibles. Also, that year is merely a copyright date, and is ascribed too often to Green River Whiskey artifacts, both old and new.
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| Reproduction Tin Sign, 14 x 17.5 inches |
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| "Self Framed" Reproduction Tin Sign, 24.75 x 19 inches |
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| "Self Framed" Reproduction Tin Sign, 27 x 21 inches |
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| Fake Green River Jug, 7.5 inches tall -- Fake, because the lettering is engraved (sunken) |
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| Fake Green River Jug, 11.25 inches tall -- Fake, because the lettering is engraved (sunken) |
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| Fake Green River Jug, 7.5 inches tall -- Fake, because the lettering is engraved (sunken) |
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| Genuine Green River Whiskey Jug, Canteen Style -- Lettering is stenciled, not engraved |
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| Genuine Green River Whiskey Jugs, Half Gallon & Gallon -- Lettering is stenciled, not engraved |
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| Is My Green River Whiskey Item Real or Fake? |
Question: I have an old metal sign featuring Green River Whiskey. The sign is pressed and painted ala license plate and is of same thickness of an old license plate. The subject of the picture is an old black man with a horse outside the Green River Inn with barrels of whiskey on the horse's back. The sign reads "SHE'S BRED IN OLD KENTUCKY". I guess a double entendre with the horse and whiskey. Copyright on sign is 1899 J. W. McCulloch Owensboro, Kentucky. Sign is approx.12" x 16" and is drawn in landscape format.
Answer: From the general description you provide of your Green River Whiskey sign, I am of the impression you have one of the reproductions or fantasies created for the antique mall and flea market trade during the 80's. It probably has no frame (all genuine GRW signs had either gesso, wood, or curled tin, "self enclosed" frames). None of them had holes in the four corners for suspension, as I suspect yours does. Most genuine signs had picture wire on the back for hanging. The measurements I have in my records for the flat sign are thirteen and a quarter by seventeen and one quarter inches. That's from edge to edge, including the part outside the lithograph/ picture.
And the picture is absolutely identical to the "classic" pre-pro gold gesso-framed 31"X41" sign. The art work containing the copyright date of 1899 is completely the same! If a person doesn't know what the real thing looks like, they can be easily fooled by the modern copy. Thank you for your offer, but I suspect I already own a brand new copy similar to yours. If you think I am wrong in my assumptions, let me know. By the way, my wife and I hope one of these days to get to the airplane museum there in your city.
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