Reach Advertising Piece

[bobfreedman]

I picked this up last night, I know I paid a pretty penny for it but I think it is worth quite a bit more. Now I am wondering if I should get it restored? Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370701256131...84.m1423.l2649

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by bobfreedman

I licked this up last night, I know I paid a pretty penny for it but I think it is worth quite a bit more. Now I am wondering if I should get it restored? Thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370701256131...84.m1423.l2649

Bob, that's an amazing piece. I'm thinking it's a perfect centerpiece for a group of Reach equipment pieces - real glove, bat, etc.

[19cbb]

Originally Posted by bobfreedman

I licked this up last night...[/url]

How did it taste?

Cool piece!

[perezfan]

Bob:

I did a quick internet search, and found that in NRMT - MT condition, these signs have typically sold for $20 - $25K. Legendary has handled quite a few, including this particular variation...

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...entoryid=25136


Further searching could reveal others which are in similar condition to yours. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to search.

Typically, I am not in favor of restoration, and prefer leaving these things as-is. But I think that yours might be a good candidiate for restoration. It would really help to enhance the aesthetics and eye-appeal.

Hopefully someone here can recommend a good restorer for this type of piece (if you don't already have one). I would definitely ask to see examples of prior work, to determine who is best suited to the job. This is a piece that demands to be done right!

Congrats on a beautiful and rare acquisition,
Mark

[bobfreedman]

Thanks everyone, I am in favor of restoring as well, I am supposed to get the piece tomorrow and am hopeful that the damage is not too great. Regardless, I am very excited to have won it.

Mark, thanks for the replying to my emails, feel free to call me when your work load lightens up.

[khkco4bls]

Bob, love those ADV. Signs. They are truly amazing. To rich for my blood, but right up my alley of early baseball memorabilia.

[EvilKing00]

wow awesome piece. I would not normally restore this type of piece BUT - it sure would look pretty damn good!

[MGHPro]

I would be very careful in selecting a restorer- its not like restoring a piece a paper. Its an awesome sign. Congrats on the pick up

[Dalkiel]

Thanks for the purchase Bob. My best-ever estate sale find. Enjoy!

David

[Jay Wolt]

Bob that's sweet! Congrats!

[bobfreedman]

I did not realize you were on the board David. Thanks again David and I am thrilled to own it - once I receive it

[WillowGrove]

Beautiful item. Congratulations. I agree with Mark in that I usually am not in favor of restoring vintage pieces but in this case I would. It would make it so much more enjoyable to look at. I say this as someone who has been attending auctions and shows for over 35 years.

Congratulations again, it is amazing.

Peter

[BigJJ]

I would not have it "restored" in that I would have it professionally cleaned and perhaps address any dings in the metal, like you would a car, but I would not add paint. whether ephemera, signs, decals, etc I would not add paint.

[ruth-gehrig]

Yeah that's a super neat piece! As for restoration I would have to wait and see what it looks like when you receive it. I would also greatly consider the price to restore. Just my thoughts. Search "reach sign" on hunt's website. They've sold these.

[bobfreedman]

I received the ad today and could not be happier, it is a lot nicer than the one that was in Hunts but not quite as nice as the one in Mastro's. I am thrilled to own and I will let you know what I decide to do as far as restoration is concerned. Either way it is a stellar piece, thanks David

[Dalkiel]

Thanks again Bob. I'm glad it went to a good home.

[Leon]

Many folks that restore items like this do it in a very minimalist fashion, which I tend to agree with. My 1-2 things I have ever had done were more of a light cleaning. It was mostly whatever could be done to preserve and stop anymore deterioration, than a restoration. To me, it's almost always depressing to see nice vintage items restored to NEW. I like the "old" and vintage look. To each their own though....One thing to definitely do is get before and after pics and a detailed description of what is done and by whom. My Horner Composite was cleaned and a few tiny specs of in-painting were done and it's all detailed in the report from Graphic Conservation. Most photo collectors will appreciate what (little) was done to restore and preserve it. Just some thoughts and congrats on a great pick up.

[CarltonHendricks]

What a great sign, congrats Bob...If it were me I'd want to get it fixed as the lower damaged area is glaring...I think the right restorer who "gets it" could approach it from a two point aspect...one to restore just the worst parts and leave everything else alone...then two, after it's fixed go back and fatigue it to match the rest of the sign...It's such a great piece you'd want to seek out the right restorer.

Many years ago I bought the sign below made of cardstock and it was a little damaged here and there...I took it to Chuck Kovacic in North Hills CA, near Los Angeles...I didn't know it till Chuck told me there was originally a three dimensional back part that folded out from the kids about an inch and a half...that is, the yellow fence with the soda jerk holding the tray...It was gone...I just had the kids...Chuck said he could fix just the kids for $450.00 or he could recreate the back part for $700.00 too...since he had a photo of one. I said do it all for the $700.00...







When I came to pick it up I was taken back it looked so good...Without me even asking he fatigued the newly created back part to match the rest of the sign...I've heard from others Chuck is even better with tin signs than paper like mine. Chuck is the coolest guy...very jovial...I usually see him at the Glendale show...his real job is as a stand in actor...walk on characters...mostly for T.V. shows shot there in L.A. I think...I ask him what shows he's been in...and he usually names a few of late...Let me know if you need his phone.

ADDENDA
I just learned Chuck has a website...As I recall when I had that sign fixed the whole internet was just getting going
http://www.chuckkovacicarts.com/Art/Bio_Art.asp

[steve B]

I wouldn't restore it. I'd give it a light cleaning, remove the back temporarily to stabilize the rust that's started and reassemble. It will still look really great. Maybe better than a restoration that makes it look too nice.

Steve B

[bobfreedman]

Thanks for all the recommendations and ideas. I plan on stabilizing it so that further damage will be avoided and if that means removing some of the rust so be it. I am not going to have it completely restored at all as I believe it looks better as is. I will post pictures once done. Thanks

[bobfreedman]

The restoration work on it is phenomenal!!! They removed the rust and added just a bit of paint to prevent the rust from spreading. As you can see from the photos they did quite a remarkable job

[bobfreedman]

Here is the piece prior to restoration

[Rickyy]

Beautiful piece Bob. That would look sweet in any bb collection!

Ricky Y

[mjkm90]

Fantastic example of restoration done right. This piece is magnificant...congrats.