June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
One of the most desirable of all advertising collectibles are the factory cartridge boards put out to advertise various ammunition. This board was assembled by the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. of Bridgeport, Connecticut circa 1880's. The original magnificent oak frame features the gesso 3D lettering. The original frame and gesso were restored to its original condition by one of the finest arts and crafts period restorers. Top reads "Trademark UMC" while the bottom reads "Union Metallic Cartridge Co.", letters are over 2" tall, finished in black and stand out against the oak frame. The center diamond artwork measures 24"x18" and features a wild antlered game scene. This centerpiece has been restored to its original, brilliant, full-color, majestic eye appeal. Within the framed borders are well over 150 examples of all the famous cartridges available at that time: there are over ten Sharps cartridges, along with Remington single shot, Ballards, the entire Winchester line and numerous oddball rimfires. The shot section includes paper shells from 4 bore down and brass shells from 4 bore down with a nice separate display of primers and wads. All of the cartridges are original to the board. When blacklighted, there has been minimal amount of edge repair. The inside image itself measures 43" x 33" while the entire display 54-1/2" x 41-1/2". These were produced in very limited numbers during their time frame and only given to the largest and most productive dealers and were never offered to the retail trade. When they are found they are usually in various degrees of disrepair and are often found stripped of their expensive and rare individual cartridges. The UMC board appears to be far scarcer than the usually encountered Winchester boards. It is simply breathtaking in all respects and would be a center showpiece in any gun room.
Item Dimensions: 41 - 1/2" High, 54 - 1/2" Wide