I'm hoping someone can give me a history lesson on The Rawson & Evans Co. Chicago. I have aquired a couple signs made by this company. The larger sign appears to be glue chipped glass with gold leaf. I was told that it is, but wanted to see if anyone had information on this company that made the sign. And further information on the technique used. The smaller sign is on glass also, but has a black background and hand cut letters in silver (or aluminum because of tarnishing?).
Back to the larger of the two. The letters are flat black (except three have been touched up and are more of a gloss) and there is a burnished gold outline around each letter with the background all in a gold swirl design that has depth to it. I would try to post a picture, but I'm not that computer smart to know how to do that. Also, since they are on glass, the pictures may not show the detail.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. These signs came from a friend of mine who just passed away Sunday. One of his customers had given them to him.
Thanks for your help.
Pam
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Pam, R&E were probably the foremost in that type of work and what you have are collector items. Rick Glawson was very familiar with the details of their work, almost to the point of recognising the personalities behind them. Photos of these pieces should be seen by a few of the other guys around. When you get photos, I can get you in touch with Dave T that worked at Fine Gold. Please let me know when you have them. Thanks.
Posted by Golden (Member # 164) on :
We are always looking for historical dates and information about them. The catalog I have is from 1897, full of great work. Just guessing, but it appears they had been in business quite a while before the catalog was printed. They were headquarted in Chicago.
Mike Jackson
Posted by Pam Eddy (Member # 1858) on :
Thank you Rick and Mike. I will get pictures taken yet this weekend and have you take a look at them.
As I mentioned, the one has been repaired by someone who really didn't know how to repair it.
Whether they are of historic value or not, they hung in my friend's sign shop for years and the sentimental value is what is truly important to me. Though I would like to know the background so I can explain it correctly to people when they ask. If they are real and have a special history, that is a bonus.
I am hanging them in my shop next to my friend's picture. He passed away this week, so I dug out the newspaper article about his retirement 9 years ago (with picture) and have it hanging on the wall.
