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SuperDave

On my last trip to the north Eastern tip of NY State, I picked up three old US Highway signs. US 11, US 9, and the rare US 2. I am in the process of sandblasting and re-painting them. I wonder just how old they are? They are heavy steel and deeply embossed. It appears that the ones used today are made of sheet aluminum and silk screened. Anyone out there in Hudson land know when this type of sign was replaced? I will attempt to post a picture here of the three before any restoration. It's interesting that the US 2 sign had what appeared to be a vinyl number "2" where the others were stamped. Since there is very few miles of US 2 in NY, they must have had a blank sign made and added the number. US 2 starts in Maine, crosses NH and Vermont and ends just across the Champlain bridge in NY. Starts again west of the great lakes and continues to the West coast. The only US highway that has a segment missing.

I also posted a picture of a "SLOW" sign i restoerd that I found up there a couple years ago. That one is very old, but how old?

MikeWA

When I was a kid, all the "chip sealed" roads had signs saying "Road closed to sharp-shod animals and vehicles with lugs on wheels". They were a throwback to the 30's, when many work horses had shoes with a tab on the front for traction (such horses were "sharp shod"), and tractors with steel wheels. Wish I had salvaged one- would look great in my horse barn. Of course, I suppose the powers that be just decided they were obsolete one day, sent out a crew to take them all down, and they were thrown away.

1049superg

I use to collect embossed U.S. and state highway signs. I still have an Illinois state highway and a fully embossed Nebraska U.S. 30 (the Lincoln Hwy). The Nebraska sign is in very good condition and its stamped on the back 8/38. Your New York U.S. highway signs may be stamped on the back as well with date and maybe a manufacturer. I don't know if I'd clean up your signs/shields with sand blasting. They could be worth more just in their present conditon. Some years back I sold on eBay a fully embossed Missouri U.S. 66 for $1100.00. It was in not much better condition than your New York signs. Admittedly, U.S. 66 has more interest than a New York U.S. shield, but I'd guess that each one of your signs in their present state are worth at least $200.00 each. Check out eBay for what these signs are now selling for if you want futher information. In short, LEAVE THEM AS IS!

SuperDave

[attachment=8177]New signs on the barn 004.jpg[/attachment]

I agree with keeping the signs as original as possible. Mine were so rusty that two years here in the Florida humidity and I will be sweeping them up off the floor!The back sides had no paint left at all, just rust. Lots of the rust spots seen on the front are actually holes! These really had to be "restored" with epoxy and bondo..The good news it that my brother-inlaw found another "stash" that are much better. These may be able to be preserved.Mabe some of them will have dates on them. At least I hope so.. He also found some round railroad crossing signs with the refectors around the edge.The reflectors appear to be marbles, but upon examination, they are cylindrical in shape and have small silver discs behind them to reflect the light back out of the glass. They are probably much older than these US signs. From what I have been able to find on ebay, the US signs with the reflectors around the outside edge are from then 30's. I think I remember seeing them in the fifties as a youngster.. perhaps my memory is distorted? The NY state route signs I have did have hand painted dates on the back, perhaps done to let the sign people know when they were installed? Don't look professional enough to be done by a sign manufacturer. Collecting signs is a heckuva lot cheaper than collecting cars..in some instances..

Lee ODell

I like the color combination of you 54 Hudson. Is the cream color down to the door handle, and on top of hood and trunk?

How big is your garage. I'm jealous.

I'm not a sign collector, but am curious if you have any Calif. road signs. Hwy 99 for one. Hwy 99 runs right thought the middle of beautiful down town Burbank. Our city fathers got the bright idea of allowing a shopping center across it. Now one has to drive around it to get back on the Hwy 99, San Fernando Road. There are no Hwy 99 signs up any more. Most people today probably do not know that San Fernando Road was once part of Hwy 99.

Interesting hoby you have.

Lee O'Dell

SuperDave

[attachment=8181]barn signs 3_2010-10-02.jpg[/attachment]
The garage ( I call it a barn) is 26 Ft deep and 30 wide.The trusses are 10 ft above the floor. There is a 14X26 car port on the left side.I have two post lift just inside the big door.The ten foot trusses allow me to get under the car with just a little "stoop".I'm only 5'5". that's were I park the 49, Then with the Hudson outside, I can slip the Model A in at an angle to the left of the lift. It's so much trouble to get the Model A out, I rarely do.Rather drive the Hudson anyway. The rest is jamb full of crap! Gotta sell some junk, So i can get some more Hudson and Model A stuff..
I don't have any signs for any state except NY.. That is my wifes home, she has a large family up there, and a really cool brother-inlaw that loves old stuff, although he's not a car guy. His idea of a good time is digging through an old dump site..Gotta love they guy!
I need to get some Florida signs and perhaps some PA, since that's where I am from originaly.
The 54 in front of the barn isn't mine. Belongs to "Mac" McNees he lives in TN now and I sure wish he would send someone for it.

Lee ODell

Thanks for shareing about your barn. I'd like one that big.

Is the 54 Hudson for sale?

Lee

SuperDave

I don't know.. Wouldn't hurt to ask.. HETdozer-man@hotmail.com
He has spent a fortune on it has some small rust issues,corner of hood and trunk lid Damn Florida humidity. but not in the frame. That is solid. Engine and transmission are fresh as well as radiator waterpump etc etc..Runs great HydraMatic,Twin H, 12 volts, Interior is decent,Looks period, but not original.Nice chrome and stainless.

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