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Koning Paint sign

Object/Artifact
Narrow, painted, solid-wood sign that reads "Monarch Absolutely Pure Mixed Paint, Sole Agency John Koning, Saugatuck" Blue-black type on yellow-orange background. Unknown if this is authentic sign or reproduction. Archives holds an identical sign: 2012.59.02 There are two of these signs in the archives.
2022.15.03, although the color looks different in this photo, both signs are the same color.
2012.59.02 sign

2022.15.03

2022.15

Charak, Keith

Donation

7-3/4 in

70 in

3/8 in

Long signs corner

Excellent

439 Butler/Butler Pantry/Wilkins/Koning/Nies HardwareKoning, John 1858-1927

"I found 15 of these [signs] in the basement and slowly sold them for $50ea thought I saved one but someone offered a great deal! They were never used just tucked into the rafters! Same with Koning sign I found it in great shape under the burn pile!" - Ron Wilkins, owner of Wilkins Hardware, located in the Koning Hardware building. "Assumed painted after the fire of 1903 and before 1911. Unless saved from the old hardware building before it caught fire." - James Faasen's speculation about the signs age. Both quotes from a reply to an email inquiry by Sally Winthers, 23 Sep 2022

02/22/2022

08/16/2024