April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
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 on bottom reading "Union Metallic Cartridge Co.", letters are over 2" tall, finished in silver and stand out against the oak frame. The center diamond artwork measure 24"x18" and features a wild antlered game scene. Within the framed borders are well over 100 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 and brass shells from 4 bore down with a nice separate display of primers and wads. The inside image itself measures 43" x 33" while the entire display 54-1/2" x 41-1/2". CONDITION: All of the cartridges are original to the board and all have their original ties. This entire piece has been blacklighted inch by inch and there is absolutely no in-painting or repairs within the borders. The colors are vibrant with no fading. Condition of gesso is near mint with no repaints. Frame has average storage marks. Has original backpaper with two original stickers, one reading "With the compliments of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, Bridgeport, Connecticut" requesting prominent display while other deals with the replacement of broken glass. Retains original handblown glass, still intact, with a 1" piece missing from upper right corner. 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. This cartridge board, having never been disassembled and retaining its original glass, is one of the finest all original cartridge boards we know of. Simply put, this large display piece is nearly impossible to obtain and be would impossible to improve upon. It is simply breathtaking in all respects and would be a center show piece in any gun room. It is actually handsome enough to make it into the living room. PROVENANCE: From the collection of Nathan Posner, former owner of the San Francisco Gun Exchange and most recently on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Museum of Cody, Wyoming. NOTE: Comes with custom handbuilt wooden crate for shipping and/or transportation.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.