THERE ARE A FEW TELL-TALES THAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE AS
BUYER'S GET RIPPED OFF, LOSE TRUST & THEIR BEING ABLE TO JUDGE A FAKE FROM AN ORIGINAL.

ALL THIS, ONLY BECAUSE OF A HANDFUL OF DISHONEST DEALERS.
MOST EBAYER'S ARE HONEST & JUST TRYING TO EARN AN HONEST LIVING.
HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME DEVIOUS & SOME MISGUIDED.

HENCE TO TRY & KEEP IT CLEAN & SAFE HERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT TIPS :

1ST & FOREMOST "RUST STAINS THAT ARE ORANGE-RED IN COLOR".
2ND "MOUNTING HOLES & MAKER'S MARK".
3RD "REAR OF THE SIGN"
4TH "CHIPS THAT LOOK FRESH"
5TH & LAST BUT NOT LEAST "TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS".

ELABORATED BELOW :

1) RUST STAINS THAT ARE ORANGE-RED IN COLOR & NOT DARK BROWN-BLACK.
ITS EASY MATHEMATICS,
OLD SIGNS WERE MADE & USED FOR THE OUTDOORS MAINLY (EXCEPT FOR PUSH DOORS & THERMOMETERS), HENCE THERE IS BOUND TO BE A LITTLE WEAR & RUST ESPECIALLY AROUND THE BORDER & MOUNTING HOLES.
(MINT SIGNS ARE AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE, AS THEY ARE SIGNS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN USED).
SOME FAKES HAVE BEEN CURED TO MAKE THE RUST LOOK OLD, HOWEVER IF CLOSE ATTENTION IS PAYED TO THE CHIPPED SECTION, SOME OF THE CURING AGENT WILL SHOW A BIT ON THE CORNERING PORCELAIN.

2) NO MOUNTING HOLE, NOT AN ORIGINAL SIGN.
ALL SIGNS WERE MADE TO ADVERTISE THE PRODUCT, THE BIGGER THE BETTER.
THEY NEVER MADE SMALL PLAQUES WITH NO MOUNTING HOLES TO SIT ON THE SHELF.
ALL PUSH DOORS (MEANT FOR A PERSONALISED APPEAL INSIDE STORES) HAVE MOUNTING HOLES.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE MAKER'S MARK, IF THERE IS ONE.
SOME SIGNS DO NOT HAVE A BASEMARK OR MAKER'S MARK.

3RD) IT IS EASY TO TELL A NEW SIGN FROM THE REAR.
OLD SIGNS DO NOT HAVE TRACTOR MARKS, ONLY SIGNS FROM 1950's TO PRESENT USE THIS TECHNIQUE.
SIGNS FROM 1870's-1920's ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE INITIALLED SIGNATURES TO THE REAR (NUMBER) IN ENAMEL PAINT (ONE OF THE COLORS USED ON THE SIGN ITSELF).

4TH) CHIPS THAT LOOK FRESH WITH STEEL SHOWING THROUGH ARE FAKES.
ALL OLD SIGNS WERE MADE ON IRON & NOT STEEL.
OLD SIGNS HAD SEVERAL LAYERS OF PAINT BEFORE THE FINAL COAT, HENCE MOST SIGNS WHEN CHIPPED WILL STILL SHOW SOME PAINT LAYERING & OLD RUST (NOT ORANGE-RED).

PLEASE NOTE : IF THE SELLER HAS NOT SHOW THE REAR OF THE SIGN, KINDLY ASK FOR A PHOTO OF THE SAME. IF THE SELLER REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE SAME ON ANY PRETEXT, SOMETHING'S WRONG.

5TH) LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE TAKE ADVISE, DO RESEARCH.
I USE GOOGLE & BING ALL THE TIME FOR ALL MY QUERIES.

KINDLY REPORT A FAKE BEING SOLD AS AN "ORIGINAL" OR "AGE & ORIGIN UNKNOWN",
THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SELLING & HAVE THEIR SOURCES FOR COUNTLESS FAKES (MADE TO LOOK OLD) TO FLOOD THE MARKET.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME !!!

I WILL POST PHOTOS OF FAKES BEING SOLD AS ORIGINAL SOON.
KEEP A LOOKOUT.

HELP KEEP EBAY A FUN & SAFE PLACE TO TRADE ON.
JUST DOING MY BIT.

HAPPY EBAYING !!!

ALL THE BEST !
JUNKINJAK.