Canadian. 1950. Reverse painted on glass. This fine example of reverse-on-glass artistry was created by Mr. Appleby circa 1950 to replace his first trade sign, which was damaged. As in his first trade sign crafted twenty years before, Mr. Appleby displays the talents of a virtuoso in depicting various scrolls, banners, types of lettering and different examples of gold leaf finish. Within a Victorian cartouche at the bottom of the sign Appleby denotes his phone number (MID 7054). The 19th-century sensibility of the sign is ironically belied by its message “UP TO DATE”. The tone of this sign is decidedly darker and less optimistic than his first trade sign. Rather than hoping to make the world a better place through his art, Appleby had come face to face with the reality of competition. By the 1950’s the kind of artistry exemplified in his “commercial” work was already an anachronism. Unsigned. 23.25" x 18" x 0.5". From the Daniel Spiegelman Collection, purchased from Appleby's Brother Morris in 2004.

Excellent condition, tight vibrant paint. Not examined outside of the frame.