Bean's Express Ltd - Unusual Enamel Flange Sign
Stock No
1594
2016
- £680.00
- €781 Euro
- $919 US Dollar
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Item Description
Here we have a real rarity, quite possibly a lone-survivor; a double-sided enamel flange sign for an agent of "Bean's Express Ltd - General Carriers - Chief Office 319 City Road, E.C." (Islington, London, England).
I've never seen another example of this sign, or in fact any advertising for Bean's Express Ltd and there are only a few mentions of them to be found online. The earliest is a mention in a paper from 1913 which wrote about the introduction of an engine starter motor to the company's lorry where Bean's Express are described as "a well-known London carrier". There is also a listing for them in a 1914 Conveyance Directory and then a few decades later in 1946 a court case of Twine Vs. Bean's Express Ltd - where the company's lorry driver killed his passenger through reckless driving. Perhaps this was the end of the firm as there are no further mentions of them - though as there were few mentions before it's not a lot to go off!
Interestingly the company seemed to be very early adopters of motorised transport (including the trial of a starter motor, rather than leaving the lorry's engine running) and the two cart horses in the middle of the sign would imply that they were operating before the combustion engine ... Although they were described as 'well known' in that article, it must've mainly been word of mouth as there's no record of any print advertising or other signage. This example was produced by North London enamelers, Bruton of Palmers Green.
The sign isn't easy to date, though I would place it c.1930s/'40s. It's survived the decades in reasonable order. The original flange is present and functional. The 'inner' face is in better order than the outer face with only enamel loss around the outer edges, though both faces remain legible. The colours are good, though the surface has dulled (see angled photos where I have tried to show this).
An interesting piece of London and early automotive history ...
The sign measures 51cm wide x 38cm high and the flange is 4.5cm deep.
Item Info
Seller
Seller Location
London, London
Item Dimensions
H: 38cm W: 51cm D: 4.5cm
Period
1930s/'40s
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Location
London, London
Item Location
United Kingdom
Seller Contact No
+44 (0)7703104788
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