Whistle soda sign

[rvrpilot]

I found this old Whistle soda sign in the attic of a old house that was getting ready to be torn down for condo development here in Illinois,the owner of the property said there was nothing left in the house that he wanted,it was laying on the floor of the attic face down and had been cover with a thin layer of silver paint,I used thinner and a rag to clean it up.It measures 54" x 18" ,I've had no luck on finding anything out about it or any thing to compare it to in the research I've done.If anyone has any idea of its age or value,I'd appreciate any input. Thanks rvrpilot

 

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[creskol]

circa 1925

 

[seger98]

Yep, about 1925 is correct, nice sign.

 

[72cheyenne]

Wait till SODABOB sees this!

Nice save.

 

[doublet2a]

Nice
Those old porcelain signs are very very collectible.
Don't sell it to the first bidder..

Tim

 

[whynot]

Not to dispel the earlier estimate, I found this on one of the collector web sites:

Whistle originated in the midwest, by Silvester Jones, very popular in the 20s. Jones introduced Vess flavors around 1927, using letters from his name as the product's name. There was a change of ownership because of bankruptcy during the depression, but Whistle continued on. Paper label bottles of the teens and early 20s were followed by an unusual embossed pinch bottle in the mid-20s. Around 1938, ACL bottles, as well as the Whistle Elves were introduced and were around until the early 50s. Interesting cardboard signs, die-cuts, bottle displays and a beautiful wood and masonite cutout clock are among the most sought after collectibles.

FYI, Vess soda is still being produced today...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vess

So I am guessing maybe a little later than 1925, if the above information is correct, 1938-1951 and VERY collectible. Great find!
-whynot

 

[whynot]

Here's a listing for one probably similar from the Grayslake Antique show in Illinois last year:

Description:
Also from Peoria, Greg and Anne Rosenak pointed out a colorful 1960s life size fully dressed electric animated clown, priced at $850, a 3- by 5-foot 1940s Whistle Soda Pop tin advertising sign for $975, and a menacing 20-inch tall papier mache rat chewing on a poison biscuit, priced $975.

No pic, but could be similiar to yours!
-whynot

 

[Mackaydon]

Contacting the guy on this site might be worthwhile:
http://fcsutler.com/fcwanted.asp

 

[Monty]

They were still selling Whistle soda pop when I was a child in the 1950s. I recall they were almost strictly fruit flavors, orange,grape, and strawberry are the ones I remember. Very nice find and yes, very collectable. Monty

 

[River Rat]

Resized

 

[Mackaydon]

Andy Fulks notes (in my above referenced site) that "There are a number of reproduction Whistle items (shown as originals) in the advertising book authored by B.J. Summers and sold by Collector Books. Unfortunately, with these items in publication and showing a value, this creates quite a bit of confusion for collectors, new and old alike. I am always available via e-mail to verify the authenticity of what you might have.- ajf5577@aol.com."
Don.......

 

[Hardy]

Cant say what year , but GREAT SAVE

 

[Woodland Detectors]

That's a good one for the American picker guys... Cool sign